Zoology. 749 
* G. A. Boulenger (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., May, 1888) gives 
the distinguishing characters of the families Pelomeduside an 
Chelydide, and states that the former family (though from its 
structure it must be included in the Pleurodera) differs from the 
= of that group in having the neck completely retractile within 
the shell. 
r. Paul Sarasin describes the lateral organs of the larva 
of the Ceylonese cecilian as related to auditory organs of the inver- 
tebrate type. 
According to Nature, a communication from Mr. George 
A. Treadwell was read at the meeting of the Zoological Society 
of London, May 15, containing an account of a fatal case of 
poisoning from the bite of the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum). 
mong a small collection of reptiles and batrachians made 
at Iguarasse-Pernambuco, Brazil, Mr. C. A. Boulenger reports the 
occurrence of a new species of Spherodactylus, two of Hylodes, 
and one of Nototrema (the marsupial tree-frog). The other known 
species of the last-named genus are restricted to the Andes, from 
Central America to Peru. 
The same naturalist also describes Achalinus rufescens, and Cala- 
mohydrus (n. g.) andersonii, two new species of snakes from Hong- 
ong. specimen of the rare sea-snake Hydrophis viperina, 
Schmidt (Disteira prescutata D. and B.) reveals, according to the 
same naturalist, a new type of dentition, since, instead of a pair of 
grooved fangs, followed after an interval by a series of smaller solid. 
teeth, as is normal among the Hydrophide, it has a series of four 
equidistant, sub-equal, grooved fangs. Ogmodon vitianus Peters, 
r the only snake previously known to possess a series of grooved 
angs. 
. A. Boulenger (P. Z. S., Feb. 7, 1888) describes two new forms 
of Hoplocephalus from the Solomon Islands, and gives a list of the 
Reptiles and Batrachia of the group, comprising a crocodile, seven- 
teen lizards, ten ophidians, m thirteen batrachians. 
Brrps.—Dr. Emin Pasha has recently forwarded to the London 
Natural History Museum, two collections of birds, the first, com- 
prising 114 forms, from the Wadelai district, between 2° and 5° 
N. Lat., and 31° and 33° E. Long., while the other, consisting of 
i mns, is from the Tingasi district, westward of 31° 
E. Long. In the latter collection there is not a single East-African 
form, while in the former thirty-three forms belonging to the fauna 
of E. and N Africa occur. It is thus evident that on the 
features of the West-African river-system. Mr. Thomas attributes 
e abruptness of the change of fauna, exhibited both by mammals 
