REPTILIA. 305 



to be somewhat variable in the species, which is represented in the collection by 

 good series of examples. The dorsal scales in Cope's type have a slight tendency 

 toward mucronate condition. This may be due to old age; but if it proves to 

 be constant, and if it never occurs in senescent Jamaican individuals, the Haitian 

 form is really distinct. Unfortunately no such old Jamaican example is at hand. 

 Until the accumulation of much additional Haitian material it is better to keep 

 the forms separate. Mann's two recent examples from Diquini are not old 

 individuals and do not settle the question of the identity or distinctness of these 

 two species. 



Celestus rugosus Cope. 

 Cope, Proc. Amer. philos. soc, 1879, 18, p. 272. Boulenger, Cat. lizards Brit, mus., 1885, 2, p. 288. 



This species seems to represent C. occiduus (Shaw), of Jamaica, upon San 

 Domingo; as C. costatus Cope represents C. crusculus Garman. Boulenger, 

 judging from Cope's description, — a course which I also have to follow, — allowed 

 C. rugosus Cope to stand as a distinct species. There is no specimen in the col- 

 lection here; but the form seems to be a perfectly valid one, confined to San 

 Domingo. 



Celestus crusculus (Garman). 

 Garman, Bull. Essex insfc., 1887, 19, p. 22. Barbour, Bull. M. C. Z., 1910, 52, p. 29&. 



Another beautiful species (Type M. C. Z., No. 6,051) which is apparently 

 disappearing fast. It is found only upon Jamaica. 



In the Zoological record for 1888 Boulenger raised the question as to whether 

 this species was not Diploglossus phoxinus Cope (a species which should really 

 stand as Celestus costatus (Cope). As stated under the caption of this species, 

 I think pending the accumulation of more material these species should be kept 

 separate. Gunther (Ann. mag. nat. hist., 1888, ser. 6, 2, p. 364-65) believes 

 we should be most careful about admitting that the West Indian Islands are 

 populated by related but peculiar species. On commenting on Garman's work 

 in naming many of these island forms, he says : "In this case any one studying 

 the distribution of reptiles over the West Indies would, by relying upon state- 

 ments such as are propounded by Mr. Garman in his recent [1887-1888] publica- 

 tions on West Indian reptiles be misled into the view of a more complete isola- 

 tion and specialization of the faunas of the various islands than obtains in reality." 

 It is in just this point of view that Gunther errs deeply. It is this very close 

 relation of the insular faunae that we must be most cautious not to exaggerate. 

 The presence of the same species upon neighboring islands is very significant 



