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The Third Order of the recent Reptilia (for in this Class 
there are whole Orders known only in the fossil state) is the 
OPHIDIA. They are numerous in all parts of Australia, 
but the tropical districts are much the most productive. In a 
Census of the Snakes of Australia, by the Hon. W. Macleay, 
published in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New 
South Wales in 1884, the total number of species of the Order 
in Australia is put down at 108, and of these 73 are venomous ; 
and deducting the species of Hydrophide, which, being Pelagic 
animals, are not limited to Australia, it leaves the number of 
venomous Land Snakes of Australia at 58, a number far in 
excess of those of India and America. 
These are all Colubrine Snakes, of the Family ELapipa, 
with the exception of one genus, Acanthophis (represented by 
one species, known as the “ Death Adder”), which shows some 
affinity to the Viprrip#. The genera of these venomous 
Snakes (almost exclusively “Australian) are Dicmenia, Pseu- 
donaja, Pseudechis, Brachysoma, Furina, Rhinclaps, Brac- 
hyurophis, Petrodymon, Cacophis, Vermicella, Elapocranium, 
Hoplocephalus, and Tropidechis. 
There are 7 species of the TypHiopip# known, and 11 
species of the Bo1pa#, of the genera Morclia, Liasis, Aspidiotes, 
and Nardoa. 
The CoLtusrips® are far from numerous. One species of 
the genus Coronella has been described, one of Herbertophis, one 
of Zamenophis, and two of Tropidonotus. Several species of 
Dunproputs are found in the tropical forests of the north; 
one species only extends into the temperate regions of New 
South Wales. 
Three species of the Drpsapipm have been noticed. The 
extreme north-west of the country has supplied single species 
of the genera Cerberus, Myron, and Fordonia, all of the family 
Homatopstpz. The Croranip® are entirely unknown in 
Australia, and the Virprrrp mare represented by only one species, 
the “ Death Adder,” mentioned previously. 
The SAURIA, or Lizards, are also numerous. The total 
number of species of the Order in the world may amount to 
900, and of these about 150 are Australian, or one-sixth of 
the whole. The families AMPHISBENIDH, CHAMG@LEONIDA, 
Jauvanipm, LacrrtTIpm, AMEINIDA, CERCOSAURID, CHAL- 
crpip#, and ZoONuRID# are entirely absent from the country. 
The GEISSOSAU RA are very numerous; indeed the families 
GyYMNOPHTHALMID# and Scrncip# are chiefly Australian; the 
snake-like genera Pygopus, Delma, Aprasia, and Lialis are 
solely so. The same is the case with the Gymnophthalmie 
genera, Cryptoblepharus, Moretria, Menelia, Miculia, and 
Serista. The Australian genera of the Scincide are Hinulia, 
Mocoa, Lygosoma, Tetradactylus, Hemiergis, Chelomeles, 
