Reptilia and BatracJu'a of Wisconsin. 155 



REPTILIA AND BATRACHIA OF WISCONSIN. 



By Prof. W. K. HIGLEY. 



This list is not presented without a reaUzatiou of the fact that some spe- 

 cies may be omitted. If, however, any such are found, it is beheved that 

 they win be rare and local species, pei'haps found in the outskirts of the 

 state, which is subject to the migration of species from other regions. 

 The IMississippi river forms an excellent p)athway for the introduction of 

 some strangers to our Reptilian and Batrachian fauna. 



It is hoj)ed that the i^resent list will not only be found complete, but that 

 the key may be found adequate for the determination of species. 



The key is one that has been used in class work under the direction of the 

 writer, and has been found svifficient for all local purposes. It has been 

 aiTanged for the species of this state only, and, it is believed, in such a way 

 that no new species will be reported that cannot be brought under its 

 range, for in its preparation all extralimital species, liable to be found here, 

 were included. 



The classification followed is to a great extent that used by my friend, 

 Dr. W. H. Smith, in the Herpetology of the State Survey of Ohio. ' Dr. Jor- 

 dan's " Manual of the Vertebrates " and the list reported by Dr. Hoy in our 

 State Geology, have also been of great service, the f oi-mer in the identification 

 of sj^ecies, and the latter both as a check list, and also as a source of informa- 

 tion as to the range of some species outside the districts from which the 

 wi-iter had identified specimens. 



REPTILIA. 



Animals having an epidermal covering in form of scales or plates wliich 

 in one division become united with the bony skeleton forming an outside 

 shield or sheU; cold blood and an incomplete circulation; the heart three 

 chambered in our species; the lungs large, consisting of but few cells; 

 no metamorphosis; the respiration pulmonary throughout life. 



KEY TO THE ORDERS OP REPTILES. 



I. Epidermal covering united with the skeleton forming a shell which 

 more or less completely covers the body; no teeth; anal opening 

 roundish or longitudinal Tcsfudi'nafa. 



1 State Survey of Ohio, Vol. IV, Zoology and Botany. 



