242 . 



REVIEW. 



We are in receipt of "The Snakes of Ceylon" by Col. 1\ 

 Wall., CMC, i. m.s.. a fair sized volume of 581 pages. As a popular 



account of the snakes of the Island with its voluminous notes upon 

 the feeding, breeding, and other habits of the species found there, it 

 is a valuable and interesting work. The author lias drawn freely 

 from his own large experience, and has spared no pains to make the 

 life history of each species as complete as possible. 



A full account is also given of the poisonous forms, and the 

 symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the various types of snake 

 poison are discussed at length. In this respect the work should be 

 valuable to the medical practitioners, not only of Ceylon, but of all 

 India as well, for in the matter of poisonous snakes the two countries 

 have much in common. 



An attempt has been made to supply the amateur with a 

 ready method of identification, but we doubt if any s}''stem can 

 produce reliable results without far greater study than the average 

 man is prepared to give. 



On turning to the more scientific side of the book, however, 

 we are disappointed. A list of synonyms accompanies each species, 

 but without the authors names or references attached it is of little 

 value. Nor do we think that Col. Wall's changes in nomenclature will 

 meet with general approval. In his treatment of the sea-snakes in 

 particular there is much ground for discussion. 



Nor, lastly, can we agree with Col. Wall, not alone among 

 authors in this respect, when, having accepted the correctness of a 

 name he refrains from using it on the grounds that the one now in 

 use has grown familiar and is best retained. Science is for all time, 

 and the sentimental considerations of a passing generation should 

 not be allowed to affect our views and obscure the truth. 



JOURN. NAT. HIST. SOC. SIAM. 



