LETTER OF TRANSMISSAL. 



Professor J. S. Newbkkry, Chief Geologist : 



Dear Sir : I have the honor herewith to transmit the following synoptical and 

 descriptive catalogue of the Reptiles and Amphibians of Ohio. 



While the aim has been to make this a fair presentation of the fauna of the State, it 

 has also been an object to render the facts pertaining to these animals as accessible as 

 possible to persons desiring to gain information. The data upon which this catalogue 

 is founded are not only the collections received from Ohio but also the works of pre- 

 vious writers on Herpetology, the results of whose researches have often been em- 

 ployed. 



Under the head of habitat is given the range of each animal outside of the State, so 

 far as specimens present would admit, or as was found recorded in the writings of some 

 competent authority. Whenever there was a reasonable degree of doubt as to an ani- 

 mal occurring in a region it has been indicated by an interrogation or quotation mark ; 

 and though m other cases there might be the best of reasons for believing the range of 

 the animal more extensive than here given, in the abaenoe of a recorded observation or 

 specimen it has not been indicated. 



While it is hoped that the lists here given will prove reasonably complete, it is un- 

 doubtedly true that a more careful survey of the Stale by one versed in Herpetology 

 would add other and very desirable facts to the results herein contained. To enable 

 any one using this synopsis to recognize species not now recorded from Ohio in case 

 they occur there, as well as to render this catalogue more valuable for comparison 

 with neighboring States, various references to, as well as lists of, extralimital species 

 occuring nearest to our limits are given. It is also hoped that the references to other 

 authors may prove an aid to at least some students of Herpetology. 



Finally, the writer takes pleasure in rendering acknowledgements first of all, to 

 Prof. Tnttle, of the Ohio State University, who generously placed a fine set of Reptiles 

 collected in the State at his disposal. Considering that he and Prof. Tnttle had never 

 met, but were entire strangers, and that the latter gentlemen could have been actuated 

 solely by a desire to aid science, his action is worthy of high commendation. The col- 

 lection thus forwarded to the writer was of value in that it contained two specimens 

 which otherwise he would not have been able to locate in the State. The author also 

 received a like generous treatment from Oberlin College and Michigan University, both 

 of which institutions place their entire collections at his disposal. He is also under 

 obligations to the various authors who have written upon this subject, but without 

 attempting to enumerate them in detail he will simply say that among the best of 

 these may be mentioned Baird and Girard's excellent Catalogue of N. A. Serpents, 



