LETTER OF TRANSMISSAL. 
Professor J. 8S. NEWBERRY, Chief Geologist : 
DeEaR SiR: I have the honor herewith to transmit the following synoptical and 
descriptive catalogue of the Reptiles and Amphibians of Ohio. 
While the aim has been to make this a fair-presentation of the fauna of the State, it 
has also been an object to render the facts pertaining to these animals as accessible as 
possible to persons desiring to gaininformation. The data upon which this catalogue 
is founded are not only the collections received from Ohio but also the works of pre- 
vious writers on Herpetology, the results of whose researches have often been em- 
ployed. 
Under the head of habitat is given the range of each animal outside of the State, so 
far as specimens present would admit, or as was found recorded in the writings of some 
competent authority. Whenever there was a reasonable degree of doubt as to an ani- 
mal occurring in a region it has been indicated by an interrogation or quotation mark ; 
and though in other cases there might be the best of reasons for believing the range of 
the animal more extensive than here given, in the absence of a recorded observation or 
specimen it has not been indicated. 
While it is hoped that the lists here given will prove reasonably complete, it is un- 
doubtedly true that a more careful survey of the State by one versed in Herpetology 
would add other and very desirable faets to the results herein contained. To enable 
any one using this synopsis to recognize species not now recorded from Ohio in case 
they occur there, as weil as to render this catalogue more valuable for comparison 
with neighboring States, various references to, as well as lists of, extralimital species 
occuring nearest to our limits are given. Itis also hoped that the references to other 
authors may prove an aid to at least some students of Herpetology. 
Finally, the writer takes pleasure in rendering acknowledgements first of all, to 
Prof. Tuttle, of the Ohio State University, who generously placed a fine set of Reptiles 
collected in the State at his disposal. Considering that he and Prof. Tuttle had never 
met, but were entire strangers, and that the latter gentlemen could have been actuated 
solely by a desire to aid science, his action is worthy of high commendation. The col- 
lection thus forwarded to the writer was of value in that it contained two specimens 
which otherwise he would not have been able to locate in the State. The author also 
received a like generous treatment from Oberlin College and Michigan University, both 
of which institutions place their entire collections at his disposal. He is also under 
obligations to the various authors who have written upon this subject, but without 
attempting to enumerate them in detail he will simply say that among the best of 
these may be mentioned Baird and Girard’s excellent Catalogue of N. A. Serpents, 
