FAUNA OF THE AFRICA^ LAKES. 



519 



found in all the lakes under review *, but definite records are not 

 in every case available. 



In addition to the hippopotamus, there are two species of otter 

 which occur over the greater part of Africa, and there is little 

 doubt that both of these frequent the waters of the big lakes. 

 A specimen of the larger form — now known as Aonyx capensis — 

 from Lake Victoria is in the collection of the British Museum. 

 The smaller otter is known as Lutra maculicollis. Hore refers to 

 the occurrence of otters in Tanganyika (101, p. 150), and both 

 Grogan and Bockelmann speak of them in Kivu (91, p. 123 : 

 16, p. 371), but actual records are wanting in most cases. It 

 may nevertlieless be safely assumed that both species form a part 

 of the fauna of the lakes with which this paper is concerned. 



As far as I am aware,- these are the only Mammals f which are 

 recorded from the lakes. 



Crocodilia. 



The largest reptile and the one most in evidence in the African 

 lakes, is, of course, the crocodile, wdiich is extremely widely 

 distributed in tropical Africa. Two species J have been recorded 

 as occurring in Lake Tanganyika. 



1 . Crocodilus niloticus. 



This is the common African crocodile with the most extended 

 distribution, ranging from Palestine to Natal anfl known also 

 from Madagascar. It is found in Nyasa and Victoria Nyanza as 

 well as in Tanganyika (see Britisli Museum Catalogue (19) and 

 lists given by Tornier (192, 193, and 194)), but, as far as I can 

 ascertain, it has not been definitely recorded from the other big- 

 lakes, though it very probably occurs in them all \\. 



2. Crocodilus cata]ylir actus. 



Recorded from Ujiji, eastern shore of Tanganyika, by Torniei' 

 (194, }). 579). Essentially a West and Central African form, 

 extending fiom the Senegal to the (laboon and nearly all over 

 the Congo. 



Ophidia. 



Four snakes adapted to an essentially aquatic life have been 

 found on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. In addition to these, 



Grogan states tliiit tlio hippopotamus is not found in Kivu (91, ]>. 122), and 

 I'ockchnann and Hundeshagen vefei- to this also (16, p. 371 : 103, p. 201). 



t Carl Peters, in his book " New Light on l)ark Africa," Kiiglish translation, 

 London 1891, speaks on page 445 of havnig seen porpoises in the Victoria Nyanza. 

 There is to mj' mind little doubt that he was misled, either by the appearance of an 

 otter or even perhaps ])y one of the great fishes of the lake. 



For specific distinctions and synonymy consult Jioulenger (19, p. 278 et seq.). 



W A statement is made by Schubotz (156, p. xix) that there are no crocodiles in 

 Lake Edward, but tliis does not agree with the accounts given bv other travellers. 

 Grogan (91, p. 122), Bockelmann (16, p. 371), and Hundeshagen "(103, p. 2U4) , 

 however, speak of the absence of crocodiles fron) Kivu, 



