OPHIDIA, BATRACHIA. Rejpt. 17 
Crotalus exsul , sp. n., Garman, Mem. Mus. C. Z. ii. p. 114, Lower 
California. 
Sistrurus, g. n., for Caudisona , Fitz., nec Laur. ; id. 1. c. p. 176. 
Ancistrodon contortrix , fig. 1, and piscivorus , fig. 2, figured ; id. 1. c. 
pi. viii. Field-notes by R. E. Kunze, Am. Nat. xvii. pp. 1229-1238. 
Trigonocephalus asper, sp. n., Garman, l. c. p. 124, Isthmus of Darien. 
Bothriechis trianguligera, sp. n., Fischer, Oster-Progr. Akad. Gymn. 
Hamburg, 1883, p. 13, Guatemala. 
Incertje sedis. 
Ilelagras prisciformis , g. & sp. nn. (foss.), Cope, P. Am. Phil. Soc. xx. 
p. 545, Puerco Eocene. The oldest Serpent known from North America. 
Its type of vertebra is an approximation to the ordinary Reptilian from 
which the Ophidian was derived. 
BATRACHIA. 
Camerano, L. Ricerche intorno alia vita branchiale degli Anfibi. Zool. 
Anz. vi pp. 685-687. 
An abstract of an extensive paper. Recent Batrachians sprang with- 
out doubt phylogenetically from the Fishes, and are normally caduci- 
branchiate in th6 adult state. A certain number have been compelled, 
through adaptation to aquatic life, to return to a more simple organiza- 
tion. In certain species, adaptation has rendered the branchiate form 
prevalent in the adult state, or even permanent, as, for instance, in 
Proteus. A Batrachian must be regarded as adult as soon as the matu- 
rity of the reproductory organs is attained, without regard to the presence 
or absence of gills ; and such species as present themselves in the adult 
state as either gill-breathers or lung-breathers must be regarded as 
exhibiting a case of dimorphism through adaptation to local conditions. 
. Intorno alia Neotenia ed alio Sviluppo degli Anfibi. Atti Acc. 
Tor. xix. pp. 84-93. 
Ciiatin, J. Recherches pour servir h l’histoire du noyau dans P6pith6- 
lium auditif dos Batraciens. Paris : 1883, 4to, 30 pp., 2 pis. 
[Not seen by Recorder.] 
Pfluger, E. Die Bastardzeugung bei den Batracheirn. Arch. ges. 
Phys. xxix. [1882] pp. 48-75, pi. i. 
Experiments of crossing Rana temporaria with M olge alpestris and 
vulgaris, Bufo vulgaris , Rana esculenta , and the various species of Newts 
with one another. The latter attempt proved negative. Ova of Molge 
vulgaris and alpestris fecundated by R. temporaria showed irregular 
segmentation, while the reversed experiment proved wholly negative. 
The semen of the Frog acted on the ovum of the Toad, while the Toad- 
semen had no effect on the Frog-ovum. 
. Yersuche der Befruchtung uberreifer Eier. L. c. pp. 76 & 77. 
