242 Dr. Schreibers’s Description of 
has been found only in the lake above mentioned ; from which it 
has always appeared to have been thrown out by the rising of 
the water. Although these overflowings generally happen once 
or twice in every year, yet, notwithstanding the frequent re- 
searches of fishermen, to whom these lakes afford a good sub- 
sistance, and of other people, who have made it their, particular 
business to search for the animal during a space of several 
years, very few specimens have hitherto been discovered. 
Several years ago, a specimen from thence came to the 
Museum of Natural Curiosities in the University of Vienna; and 
another, nearly at the same time, came into the possession of a 
naturalist (Baron Hohenwarth) in Carinthia. In the year 
1 795, another specimen was sent to the present Professor of 
Natural History at Vienna, at his particular request, by Baron 
Zois, a liberal and zealous naturalist, settled in Carniolia. I did 
not meet with any other specimens, during my tours in the 
years 1798 and 1799 ; though I visited most of the collections 
in the dominions of Austria, Germany, and a part of Italy. I 
know, however, that more than one came into the possession 
of the late Dr. Scopoli, who resided in Carniolia for several 
years. 
After that time, notwithstanding frequent and diligent re- 
searches, none could be discovered till the year 1 799 ; when I 
was favoured by the same naturalist with two other specimens. 
The first notice of this animal was given by the late Dr. 
Laurenti, (in 1768,) in his Synopsis Reptilium. The short 
description he gave there, was made from the specimen before 
mentioned, preserved in spirit by Baron Hohenwarth, in 
Carinthia. Laurenti had no opportunity to examine the in- 
ternal structure ; and his description of the external parts is so 
