472 



GALAPAGOS ARCHIfELAGO. Oct. 1835. 



although the kind of vegetation consumed in each case is so 

 very different. Mr. Bell has giv en the name to the genus from 

 the shortness of the snout : indeed, the form of the mouth 

 may almost be compared to that of the tortoise. One is 

 tempted to suppose this is an adaptation to their herbivorous 

 appetites. It is very interesting thus to find a well-charac- 

 terized genus, having its aquatic and terrestrial species, be- 

 longing to so confined a portion of the world. The former 

 species is by far the most remarkable, because it is the only 

 existing Saurian, which can properly be said to be a maritime 

 animal. I should perhaps have mentioned earlier, that in 

 the whole archipelago, there is only one rill of fresh water 

 that reaches the coast ; yet these reptiles frequent the sea- 

 beaches, and no other parts in all the islands. Moreover, 

 there is no existing lizard, as far as I am aware, excepting 

 this Amblyrhyncus, that feeds exclusively on aquatic pro- 

 ductions. If, however, we refer to epochs long past, we 

 shall find such habits common to several gigantic animals of 

 the Saurian race. 



To conclude with the order of reptiles. Of snakes there are 

 several species, but all harmless. Of toads and frogs there 

 are none. I was surprised at this, considering how well the 

 temperate and damp woods in the elevated parts appeared 

 adapted for their habits. It recalled to my mind the sin- 

 gular statement made by Bory St. Vincent,* namely, that 

 none of this family are to be found on the volcanic islands 

 in the great oceans. There certainly appears to be ^ome 

 foundatioil for this observation ; which is the more remark- 

 able, when compared with the case of lizards, which are 

 generally among the earliest colonists of the smallest islet. 

 It may be asked, whether this is not owing to the different 

 facilities of transport through salt-water, of the eggs of the 

 latter protected by a calcareous coat, and of the slimy spawn 

 of the former ? 



As I at first observed, these islands are not so remarkable 



* Voyage aux quatre lies d'Afrique. 



