14 DR. A. GUNTHER ON BRAZILIAN REPTILES. [Jan. 8, 



The researches of Dr. Wucherer, continued for a considerable 

 space of time and confined chiefly to Snakes, prove that the environs 

 of Bahia are by no means so poor in species of this tribe as has 

 been represented by Castelnau. On the contrary, the following list, 

 containing chiefly the species common in the immediate vicinity of 

 Bahia, will be considerably increased, if Dr. Wucherer carries out 

 his intention of extending his researches beyond those limits ; and 

 it is to be hoped that, with the assistance of this gentleman and of 

 his friends*, we shall produce one of those local faunas which are so 

 valuable as contributing to our knowledge of geographical distribu- 

 tion, and to the distinction of the local variation of species. 



The following list of Snakes has been made up from the notes of 

 Dr. Wucherer, and from actual specimens sent in spirits to the Bri- 

 tish Museum : — 



1. Geophis, n. sp.f From Canavieras, a small town south of 

 Bahia. 



2. Elapomorphus wuchereri, Gthr. From Ilheos. 



3. Liophis cobella, L. 



4. ■ merremii, Wied. Very frequent. 



.5. regincc, L. Very frequent. 



6. conirostris, Gthr. 



7. Xenodon severns, L. 



8. rhabdocephalus, Wied. Very frequent. 



9. coluhrinus, Gthr. The validity of this species has been 



fully acknowledged by Dr. Wucherer. He has sent two specimens 

 in spirits, one of which measures 3 feet 8 inches in length ; another, 

 sent off alive, perished on the voyage. Dr. Wucherer has observed 

 that the scales of all the species of Xenodon have a small colourless 

 spot near the tip ; it is especially distinct in X. coluhrinus. The 

 West Indian species of Dromicus have this spot yet more distinct. 

 All the species of this genus are very savage and apt to bite ; they 

 frequent dry places ; their food, however, consists in frogs. 



10. Spilotes corais, Cnv. Frequent; c&Wed Pup apitit a. Scales 

 in fifteen or seventeen series. 



11. Spilotes variabilis, WieA. Frequent; called Cainanu. Dr. 

 Wucherer found the loreal always absent in old specimens. 



12. Spilotes pcecilostoma, Wied. 



13. Coryphodon pantherinus, Merr. The form of the head and 

 the colours of this species vary much according to age. 



14. Herpetodryas fuscus, L. Frequent. 

 15. carinatus, L. Less frequent. 



16. Philodryas viridissimus, 1j. Very frequent. 



17.? serra, Schleg. A single specimen from Ilheos. 



18. Dry iopkis acuminata, 'Wied. Very frequent ; called Cipd. 



19. argentea, Daud. Less frequent, 



20. Thamnodynastes nattereri, Mikan. Frequent. 



* Dr. Wucherer has been assisted iu collecting by Consul C. A. GuUzow, Dr. 

 Heller, Dr. Tiilsner, Herr v. Steiger, H. Foppel, and other gentlemen. Mr. Ben- 

 nett has kindly taken charge of the reptiles during the transport. 



t Dr. Wucherer has reserved for himself the description of this species. 



