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Show 88 MR. G. A. BOULENGER ON THE HERPETOLOGY [Feb. 7, Mr. A. Thomson exhibited a living specimen of the larval form of a Stick-insect from Southern France (Empusa egena), from tne Society's Insect-house, and spoke of its manner of catching nies. The following papers were read :- 1. Third Contribution to the Herpetology of the Solomon Islands1. By Gr. A. B O U L E N G E R , F.Z.S. [Received January 11, 1888.] Mr. C M. Woodford has brought home a large series of Reptiles and Batrachians obtained during his visit to the Islands of Guadalcanar and New Georgia. The fact that, in spite of the extent of the collection (over 200 specimens) and the special attention paid by the collector to this group of animals, only four species are thereby added to the herpetological list of the Solomons, shows that our knowledge of this part of the fauna approaches completion. Dendrophis calligaster, Gthr., and Cornufer corrugatus, A. Dum., are recorded for the first time from the Solomon Islands, and two new snakes are described further on. The following is a list of the species obtained :- Guadalcanar:-Crocodilus porosus, Schn., Gehyra oceanica, Less., Varanus indicus, Daud., Lygosoma cyanurum, Less., L. nigrum, H. & J., L. albofasciatum, Gthr., Corucia zebrata2, Gray, Enygrus carinatus, Schn., Dendrophis calligaster, Gthr., Dipsas irregularis, Merr., Hoplocephalus melanurus, sp. n., Rana guppyi, Blgr. \ R. krefftii, Blgr., Cornufer solomonis, Blgr., C corrugatus, A. Ceratobatrachus guentheri, Blgr., and Hyla macrops, Blgr. Rubiana, New Georgia :-Lygosoma cyanurum, Less., L. cyano-gaster, Less., L. nigrum, H. & J., Enygrus carinatus, Schn., Dendrophis solomonis, Gthr. (a variety with uniform green upper parts), Dipsas irregularis, Merr., Hoplocephalus woodfordi, sp. Bana guppyi, Blgr., Cornufer corrugatus, A. Dum., and Ceratobatrachus guentheri, Blgr. HOPLOCEPHALUS MELANURUS, sp. n. Body rather stout. HJad depressed, slightly widened posteriorly; snout short, without canthus rostralis; eye moderate ; no superciliary ridge ; rostral considerably broader than deep, its upper border forming a verv open angle ; internasals half as long as the prae-frontals, which are a little shorter than the frontal ; latter shield i P. Z. S. 1887, p. 333. 2 Mr. Woodford confirms from actual observation the statement made by me that the tail is a prehensile organ. This Lizard was seen to suspend itself to branches of trees by means of the tail. 3 The largest female specimen measures 21 centim., from snout to vent, the largest male only 10; the male is characterized by tbe presence of a small external vocal sac on each side of the throat. These frogs feed chiefly upon large crustaceans (Sesarma lafordii and Cardiosoma carnifex, fide Pocock). |
