THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 339 



RELATIONS AND ORIGIN OP THE BAHAMA HBRPETOLOGICAL FAUNA. 



An inspection of the previous table shows that out of a total of thirty- 

 five species and subspecies (excluding the marine turtles) no less than twenty- 

 two are considered peculiar or restricted to the archipelago in exactly the 

 form in which they occur there. 



On the other hand, there are thirteen species (one doubtful) which are 

 regarded as specifically and subspecifically identical with forms occurring 

 elsewhere. 



Of the twenty-two forms restricted to the archipelago, three are mere local 

 representatives on a single island of a species occurring typically over a greater 

 area, viz. : Sphcerodactylus flavicaudus Barbour, Anolis brunneus Cope, and 

 Leiocephalv^ virescens Stejneger. Fifteen are more or less closely related to 

 species occurring in Cuba or Haiti, while the relationship of the remaining 4 is 

 somewhat dubious on account of our deficient knowledge of their status, due 

 to absence or insufficiency of material. But it is only fair to say that even 

 in the case of these, the relationship is distinctly with the Greater Antilles. 

 It will therefore be seen that while there is a certain amount of specialization 

 due to isolation, the difference from the herpetological fauna of the Greater 

 Antilles is one of degree only. 



The derivation of this fauna is consequently not difiicult to trace. Situ- 

 ated as the Bahamas are to the southeast of Florida, to the northeast of Cuba 

 and to the north of Haiti, it is to these localities we will have to look for the 

 origin of the Bahama batrachians and reptiles. 



Relations to Florida. 



Only four species identical with or closely related to species occurring 

 in Florida have hitherto been recorded from the Bahamas, viz. : 



Hyla squirella Latreille. 



Eleutherodactylus ricordii (Dumeril and Bibron). 



Sphosrodcbctylus notahis Baird. 



Anolis porcatus Gray. 



Of these, one, Hyla squirella (which is strictly North American), ^s con- 

 fined to a small key north of Grand Bahama, and it is quite probable that it 

 has been accidentally introduced by man as suggested by Mr. Barbour, who 

 discovered it there. 



The three other species occur in Cuba as well as in the Bahamas, and one 

 even in Haiti. On the other hand, two of these, Eleutherodactylus ricordii 



