88 MR. G. A, BOULENGER ON THK HERPETOLOGY [Feb. 7, 



Mr. A. Thomson exhibited a living specimen of the larval form 

 of a Stick-insect from Southern France {Empusa egena), from the 

 Society's Insect-house, and spoke of its manner of catching flies. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. Third Contribution to the Herpetology of the Solomon 

 Islands ^ By G. A. Boulenger, F.Z.S. 



[Received Januar}- 11, 1888.] 



Mr. C. M. Woodford has brought home a large series of Reptiles 

 and Batrachians obtained during his visit to the Islands of Guadal- 

 canar and New Georgia. The fact that, in spite of the extent of the 

 collection (over 200 specimens) and the special attention paid by the 

 collector to this group of animals, only four species are thereby added 

 to the herpetological list of the Solomons, shows that our know- 

 ledge of this part of the fauna approaches completion. Dendrophis 

 calligaster, Gthr., and Cornufer corruyatus, A. Dum., are recorded 

 for the first time from the Solomon Islands, and two new snakes are 

 described further on. 



The following is a list of the species obtained : — 



Guadaloanar : — Grocodilus porosus, Schn., Gehyra oceanica. Less., 

 Yaranus indicus, Daud., Lygosoma cyanurum. Less., L. nigrum, H. 

 & J., L. albofasciatum, Gthr., Corucia zebratu ^ Gray, Enygrus 

 carinatus, Schn., Dendrophis calligaster, Gthr., Dipsas irregularis, 

 Merr., Hoplocephalus melanurus, sp. n., Rana guppyi, Blgr. ', 

 R. krefftii, Blgr., Cornufer solomonis, Blgr., C. corrugatus, A. Dum., 

 Ceratobatrachus guentheri, Blgr., and Hyla macrops, Blgr. 



Rubiana, New Georgia : — Lygosoma cyanurum, Less., L. cyano- 

 gaster. Less., L. nigrum, H. & J., Enygrus carinatus, Schn., 

 Dendrophis solomonis, Gthr. (a variety with uniform green upper 

 parts), Dipsas irregularis, jNIerr., Hoplocephalus woodfordi, sp. n., 

 Rana gvppyi, Blgr., Cornufer corrugatus, A. Dum., and Cerato- 

 batrachus guentheri, Blgr. 



Hoplocephalus melanurits, sp. n. 



Body rather stout. H^ad depressed, slightly widened posteriorly; 

 snout short, without canthus rostrahs ; eye moderate ; no superci- 

 liary ridge ; rostral considerably broader than deep, its upper border 

 forming a very open angle ; internasals half as long as the prse- 

 frontals, which are a little shorter than the frontal ; latter shield 



1 P. Z. S. 1887, p. 333. 



* Mr. Woodford confirms from actual observation the statement made by 

 me that the tail is a prehensile organ. This Lizard was seen to suspend 

 itself to branches of trees by means of the tail. 



* The largest female specimen measures 21 centim., from snout to vent, the 

 largest male only 10 ; the male is characterized by the presence of a small 

 external vocal sac on each side of the throat. These frogs feed chiefly upon 

 large crustaceans [Sesarma lafordii and Cardiosoma caniifex, fide Pocock). 



