REPTILIA. 
145 
Stieda, L, Ueber den Ban der Haut des Froscbes (Rana 
temporaria) , Reichert and Du Bois-Raymond, Arch. Anat. , 
Physiol. 1865^ pp. 52-66, with a plate. 
[On the structure of the skin of Rana temporaria^ 
E. Publications of a Popular Character, 
Cooke, M. C. Our Reptiles. A plain and easy account of 
the Lizards, Snakes, Newts, Toads, Frogs, and Tortoises 
indigenous to Great Britain. London, 1865, pp, 109, 
with original figures of every species, and numerous wood- 
cuts. 
The author professes to give merely a popular account of the 
seventeen species inhabiting Great Britain, but he has succeeded 
in producing a history of tliem so complete, so well written, and 
so instructive, that even scientific naturalists will gain by its pe- 
rusal. The work certainly belongs to the best class of popular 
writings, the author being thoroughly acquainted with the sub- 
ject, and avoiding all the fabulous stories by which other writers 
seek to excite the taste of the public. The figures are well exe- 
cuted, and superior to many published in scientific works. 
Tytler, R. C. Observations on a few species of Geckos alive in 
the possession of the author. Journ. As. Soc- Beng. 1864, 
pp. 535-548. 
The chief contents of the paper are indicated by the title. 
The author uses the collective name of Gecko in preference to the 
various generic divisions made by naturalists, and gives distinct 
specific names to the specimens observed by him {Gecko tigrisj 
tytlerij cliaus, &c.). 
CHELONIA. 
A most elaborate memoir on the geographical distribution of 
Chelonians, by Dr. Alex. Strauch, has appeared in Mem. Acad. 
Sc. St. Petttrsb. viii. 1865 (pp. 207). It is divided into two 
parts. In the first the author treats in systematic order of each 
of the 194 species known to have been described up to the year 
1864, stating, as exactly as possible, the localities whence they 
have been obtained, or their entire geographical range. The re- 
marks on the synonymy of the species and on the subdivisions 
of groups proposed by other authors are embodied in this part, 
and are so numerous that we may as well state at once that no 
one who is engaged in the study of any portion of this order 
should neglect to consult Dr. Strauch^s memoir. The second 
part contains the distribution of the species within the six regions 
1865. [voL. II.] L 
