646 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XI11. 
which at the time hardly appear worthy of record, very soon become 
valuable as they accumulate and can be put into shape, sorted out 
under different heads. Without notes the field-naturalist, beyond 
himself getting a general idea of the results of his observations, will 
soon find he is incapable of giving to others the benefit of them in 
full by putting them in writing. 
I have enlarged upon this point at this place, because it is with the 
reptiles that we are most behind the times in that respect. 
This is what one of our most respected members—Mr. G. W. Vidal— 
wrote in our Journal eleven years ago in connection with the imperfec- 
tions of existing records of the distribution of snakes :—“ As our collec- 
tions increase itis useful to take stock from time to time, however 
limited may be the field of inquiry selected, to see what additions 
have been made to our knowledge of the distribution of species. In 
no branch perhaps of Natural History has the distribution of species 
been so incompletely worked out, asin the case of the Ophidia. A 
glance at the existing works of reference will show how very litile 
is known of the habitat of the great majority of the species des- 
cribed . . . . « «© « ~~ © QurSociety has already done 
much useful work in this direction, thanks to the individual as well 
‘as the collective energy of its members. Buta grand field is still 
open to collectors, and much still remains to be done in taking 
stock, and preparing catalogues of the numerous and valuable contri- 
butions already received.” 
What was so true when the above was written is equally to the 
point to-day, and in reading the earlier numbers of our Journal one 
cannot help wondering whether there is now-a-days the same ‘ individual 
as well as_ collective energy of its members’ that Mr. Vidal records, 
There can be no question of the individual energy of a certain num- 
ber of members, but.considering the largely increased membership I 
am afraid even that individual energy is by no means so universal 
amongst them, and collective energy even less so. 
There is one thing that should encourage the collecting of all 
small reptiles, and that is the simplicity of their preservation. Hxeept 
in the case of large snakes, there is mo tedious process of skinning 
and curing to be.done, for they are best preserved entire in ordinary 
mithylated spirits, -Alcohol (spirits of wine). is of course -a -better 
