AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 
87 
Sea Snakes of large dimensions were more numerous than they are, they 
would, in spite of their enemies, arrive at that size in a shorter period than 
that which we assume as necessary for their growth. The greatest size, 
however, to which some species attain, according to positive observation, 
is about twelve feet, and therefore, far short of the statements as to the 
length of the so-called ‘ Sea Serpents.’ The largest example I have seen 
measured only eight feet. 
“ There is no other group of reptiles the species of which are so little 
known, and the synonymy of which is so confused, as that of the Sea 
Serpents. All the preceding authors, with the exception of Gray, have 
worked at them with the idea that the species were less numerous than 
they in reality are; thus confounding forms which had been previously 
distinguished, though imperfectly characterized. Having had the great 
advantage of examining and comparing, first a portion of Russell's typical 
specimens captured in the same seas as those from which Russell received 
his examples, and secondly, the types of Shaw and Gray, I find the 
results of my examinations so much at variance with those of others, that 
it is necessary to treat on all the species of this family, and not to confine 
myself to those alone which are supposed to he found in the Indian Seas, 
Moreover, our present knowledge of the geographical distribution of most 
of the species is extremely vague, and I have reason to believe that, as in 
other families of snakes, so in the Sea Snakes numerous species are very 
local, whilst others extend over an enormous area.” {Gunther.) 
The above lucid remarks on the Sea Snakes, and Dr. Gunther’s sub¬ 
sequent descriptions of the known genera and species, have enabled the 
author to classify all the Museum specimens, and to distinguish two new 
species, which differ so much from all other forms that it was considered 
necessary to establish a new genus for them. These species are allied to 
Aipysurus , and will he arranged between that genus and Bisteira. All 
the known genera are therefore enumerated in the catalogue, though only 
those species have been selected from Dr. Gunther’s Work which are sup¬ 
posed to inhabit the Australian seas. 
