1024 The American Naturalist. [December, 
form. The name of Dr. Boettger, of Frankfort a. M., guarantees the 
scientific accuracy of the treatment. We only notice that he has 
allowed the Heloderma suspectum to be figured as H. horridum, and 
that Cyclura nubila to be figured as C. carinata. A peculiarly effect- 
ive picture is the chromo-lithograph representing a species of Draco 
capturing a butterfly ina tropical forest, with an orchid full of bloom 
in the foreground, all presenting mimetic colors, and relieved by a 
background of the symmetrical leaves of a Musa. We reproduce two 
of the plates, the alligator-crocodile of West Africa, and the snake- 
necked turtle of the La Plata. 
Some interesting comments are made on the abundance of and 
danger from venomous snakes in tropical countries. It is pointed out 
that travelers agree that these animals do not constitute a serious 
obstacle to the comfort and safety of travel in those regions, The 
author of this work believes that the official reports of deaths from 
venomous snakes in India are gross exaggerations, If true, he 
observes, that as compared with snakes, tigers and wolves are harmless 
creatures. He also believes that in order to obtain the bounty paid 
for venomous snakes by the Indian Government, a number of estab- 
lishments for breeding them must be kept in active operation by the 
natives. None of the citations from travelers indicate a greater abun- 
dance of poisonous snakes in tropical countries than we have ourselves 
observed in the central and southwestern parts of North America. 
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