JONES ON REPTILIA OF NOVA SCOTIA. 115 



departments, while, both in Europe and America, the study of 

 Herpetology has become a prominent branch of scientific research. 



In taking a survey of the geographical distribution of reptiles 

 over the surface of the globe, we at once perceive that under the 

 influence of the greatest continued heat they appear to thrive in 

 the greatest abundance, and attain the largest size. The tropical 

 parts of this continent possess more reptiles than those of Asia or 

 Africa according to late returns; but probably when the interior of 

 the latter country becomes better known to naturalists, its forests 

 and morasses may prove the habitats of many species noAV unknown. 

 As we proceed from the equator to the poles, we find reptile life 

 gradually decreasing until we arrive at the borders of arctic Europe, 

 Asia, and America, beyond which barrier no species have, as yet, 

 been found. Very few reptiles reach the north boundary of the 

 temperate zone, taking the isotherm of 30° for its limit, the frogs 

 and salamanders appearing to go the farthest north. In regard 

 to reptile life in elevated districts, we find that on the European 

 continent the common frog (Rana temporaria) has been found 8,000 

 feet above the sea level in the alpine districts, in the vicinity of the 

 snow limit ; the viper (Pelias berus) five thousand three hundred 

 feet ; the mountain lizard (Lacerta montana) at four thousand five 

 hundred feet; and the slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) at six thousand 

 feet; while on this continent, the alligator (Alligator lucius) has 

 been observed in the Andes, about the latitude of the equator, at 

 an elevation of three thousand feet, where the temperature ranges 

 from 63° to 73°. 



With this brief introduction, I will now pass on to the reptiles 

 of our own Colony. 



In considering the habits of our Nova Scotian reptiles, we can 

 not fail to observe that the ophidians are much influenced by the 

 temperature of the seasons ; and from other causes also, which 1 

 have not yet been able to account for, they are found some seasons 

 in great abundance, while during others hardly a dozen specimens 

 are observed in the same district. I have had ample scope for 

 observation during the past four years of my residence here, in the 

 forest and cultivated land about my home, and have paid particular 

 attention to the habits of this order, collecting specimens of all sizes, 

 from the embryo taken from the egg to the perfect example of the 



