viii. PREFACE. 



remarks and additional species as an appendix. To this 

 appendix have also been added descriptions of some drawings 

 of Chinese species sent by Mr. Reeves to General Hard- 

 wicke, which will be shortly figured in a work on the 

 zoology of that country now in the press ; and also the 

 synonyma of Dr. Wagler's System der Amphibien, which 

 has but lately arrived in London. 



I have to regret that after every enquiry and considerable 

 delay on its account, I have not been able to procure the 

 last part of the Annals of the Lyceum of New York, in which 

 I understand M. Le Conte has given descriptions of the 

 American species of Tortoises.* 



The two other parts of this work are in a considerable state 

 of forwardness, and the next part, containing the Saurian 

 animals, I hope to be able to print by the end of this year ; 

 but should any circumstance prevent it, a complete index has 

 been added to this part, so as to make it a distinct work. 



It is due to the reader that some apology should be made 

 for the roughness of the etchings which are added to the 

 work. They are, in fact, the first attempts of some ama- 

 teurs, (partly spoiled by myself,) but for whose kindness it 

 would have gone without any; and if they afford any 

 facilities to the student they have fulfilled their office. They 

 add nothing to its cost. 



British Museum; Jan. 1831. 



• While correcting this proof Mr. Children has kindly put into my 

 hands the above paper. I do not find amongst the specimens I have 

 described any that accurately agrees with the Test, concinna, ("Emys 

 reticularia. Say,") the Test, rubriventris, {"Emys serrata. Say,") or 

 the Test, floridiana of this author ; his Test, insculpta is the Emys 

 speciosa; his Test, geographica is the Emys Lesueurii; his Test, 

 reticulata is the Emys reticularia; and his Test, serrata is the Emys 

 scripta of this work. Several of his synonyma from European works 

 are erroneous, as may be seen by referring to the synonyma of this work, 

 which, in the instances where they differed from him, have again been 

 examined. 



