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Show 608 MR. STANLEY S. FLOWER ON THE [May 16, adaptable to changed circumstances of life, are apparently disappearing. Very much remains to be done to complete our knowledge of the Agamoid lizards of the Malay Peninsula and Siam. Draco volans, Calotes cristatellus, and Calotes versicolor abound in certain localities and are well known; but the remaining 17 species have only been met with on a few occasions, which, consideriug their diurnal habits, striking appearance, aud frequently brilliant coloration, seems remarkable. Poisonous Snakes.-Of the 221 species of Reptiles in this list, 34 are poisonous snakes; but of these 18 (Hydrophiinai) inhabit the sea, 4 (Callophis and Doliophis), owing to their sluggish habits and small mouths, can hardly be considered dangerous to mankind, aud 5 (Lachesis), so far as is known, are not capable of inflicting a sufficiently poisonous wound to kill a human being. The Vipers Vipera russelli and Ancistrodon blomhojji, although recorded from Siam, are not known to occur in the Peninsula. The Krait, Bungarus caudidus, and its allies B. fasciatus and B. fiaviceps are fortunately rare. Thus only two dangerous species remain which the traveller is likely to come across, viz., the Cobra (Naia tripu-dians) and the Hamadryad (Naia bungarus), a proportion which (from what 1 have read) compares favourably with other tropical countries. Personally I have never come across a Hamadryad wild, but a large Cobra is certainly a difficult and dangerous animal to kill (except with a gun) owing to its streugth and power of springing at one1. Assistance received.-1 have to acknowledge my sense of obligation to the Government; officials of the Straits Settlements and the Native States of the Malay Peninsula for their invariable courtesy, assistance, and hospitality; more especially am I indebted to H.H. the ftajah Muda of Kedah, to Lt.-Col. ft. Frowd Walker, C.M.G., commanding the Malay States Guides, to Mr. J. P. Koil°-er,' British Kesident, Selangor, to the*' Datu Meldrum, the Datu Hole' and Dr. J. P. A. Wilson of Johore. To the curators of the local Museums, Mr. L. Wray, jun., Mr. A. L. Butler, and particularly Dr. Hauitsch, I am much obliged for kindness in allowing me access at all times to the collections under their charge; and to Mr. H . N . ftidley, Director of the Botanical Gardens, Singapore, and to Mr. C. Curtis, Penang Govt. Gardens, for assistance in' collecting; as also to the following gentlemen in Siam-Mr. J. McCarthy, Director of Surveys, Mr. W . Sinclair, Mr. A. J. Dickson^ Mr. Austen Shea, Mr. J. S. Smyth, and Mr. A'. K. Passmore! But above all I have to thank Mr. G. A. Boulenger, F.K.S., for the invaluable advice and assistance he has given me by correspondence during the last two years. Nomenclature.--The classification and nomenclature are according to Mr. Boulenger's British Museum Catalogues of fteptiles, where 1 Hence possibly the " Ular terbang," or Flying Snake, of the Malays. A Madrassee servant, who was with rue for some years, often warned me to be careful with Cobras, because they could " fly, same like bird " ! |
