1900.] ON THE BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES OE THE GABOON. 433 P. lapradei, a difference which Bridge observed in two specimens of Polypterns and which he attributed to great range of variation. This paper will be published in full in the Society's ' Trans-actions.' The following papers were read : — 1. A List of the Batrachians and Reptiles of the Gaboon (French Congo), with Descriptions of new Genera and Species. By G. A. Boulenger, F.R.S. [Keceived March 20, 1900.] (Plates XXVIL-XXXH.) Mr. G. L. Bates, who h;is been stationed for some time on the Benito Elver, north of the Gaboon River, between 20 and 30 miles inland from the coast, has been so kind as to collect Batrachians and Reptiles for the British Museum, and so lucky as to discover, especially among the former, a number of new or interesting forms, on some of which I have already reported '. Whilst describing the new forms of which an account is given in this paper, it appeared to me useful to compile a complete list of all the species on record from the Gaboon district — viz., the part of "West Africa situated between Camaroons and Loango, in the French Congo 2 . Such a stock-taking seemed to me particularly useful with reference to the work on the distribution of species in the Cougo basin, with which I am now engaged. I must observe, however, that I am convinced that the list will have to be increased by the addition of a number of widely distributed species which are known both north and south of the Gaboon district, and which will, no doubt, be found when more extensive collections are made ; but I have introduced the names of such species only of which I have seen examples from the district, or which have been recorded on reliable authority. Only five contributions dealing specially with the Batrachians and Reptiles of the Gaboon district have been published so far : — Dumeril, A. — " Note sur les Reptiles du Gabon." Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1856, pp. 369-377, 417-424, 460-470, 553-562, pis. xx. & xxi. — The new species described in this paper have been redescribed and mostly figured in the same author's "Reptiles de l'Afrique occidentale,'' Arch, du Mus. x. 1859, pp. 137-240, pis. xiii.-xviii. 1 Anu. & Mag. N. H. (7) iii. 1899, pp. 274, 276, and iv. 1899, p. 122. 2 The term Gaboon is here taken in the old sense. I do not know on what authority the Gold Coast is included in the Gaboon Country by Giinther, P. Z.S. 1899, pp. 716 & 721.
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