[ 35 ] 



III. On the Reptiles and BatracMans of the Solomon Islands. 

 By G. A. BouLENGER, F.Z.S. 



lleceived AprU 24th, 1884, read May Cth, 1884. 



[Plates VII. to XIII.] 



V ERY little was known about the herpetology of the Solomon Islands until two 

 important collections, made there and sent to the British Masenm by H. B. Guppy, 

 Esq., M.B., of H.M.S. 'Lark,' in 1883 and 1884, brought to light several new and 

 interesting forms, such as could hardly have been expected from that district. 



The first collection, received in June 1883, was formed in San Christoval and the 

 neighbouring small islands of Santa Anna, the Three Sisters, and Ugi ; it also contained 

 a Crocodile's skull from Guadalcanar, and a Frog from Treasury Island. The second 

 collection was received in March 1884, and proved to be of the greatest interest. It 

 was formed in the small islands south-east of Bougainville — viz. the Shortland Islands, 

 Treasury Island, and Faro Island ^. The diagnoses of the new species have already 

 been published in the ' Proceedings ' of this Society ; and I now propose to give an 

 account of the herpetological fauna of the Solomon Islands. 



The position of this group of islands on the limits of two great zoological districts 

 renders the study of its fauna of special interest, as it is the point where many of the 

 Papuasian and Polynesian forms intermingle. Curiously, all the Batrachians belong 

 to species not hitherto found elsewhere, and one of them is even so strongly modified 

 as to be the type of a distinct family. 



The Eeptiles may be grouped under four headings, viz. : — 



A. Species belonging to both the Papuasian and Polynesian districts. 



B. Indo-Malayan or Papuasian species, not extending further east or south-east. 



C. Polynesian species, not extending further north and west than New Ireland. 



D. Species not hitherto found elsewhere than in the Solomons (and New Ireland). 



A. 



Gymnodactylus pelagious. 

 Gehyxa oceanica. 

 Mabuia cyanura. 

 Platurus fasciatus. 



B. 



Crocodilus porosus. 

 Gecko vittatii3. 

 Varanus indicus. 

 Keneuxia smaragdina. 

 Enygrus carinatus. 

 Dipsas irregularis. 



C. 



Gonyocephalus godcf- 



froyi. 

 Mabuia carteretii. 



nigra. 



Enygrus bibronii. 



D. 



Lepidodactylus guppyi. 

 Lipinia anolis. 

 Corucia zebrata. 

 Dendrophis solomonis. 

 Hoploceplialus par. 



' Mr. Guppy supplies the following remarks : — " The islands from which these specimens were obtained 

 may be generally referred to as ' the islands of Bougainvilleifittaits,' as they lie in and oiF the western entrance 



VOL. XII.— PAET II. No. 1.— April, 1S86/<|-^^^n g 



