infformation upon the Fauna of the Nicobars, is derived mainly from Mr. Blyth's papers, in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal,[1] and we cannot but congratulate the Austrians on their good luck in having found so many species that had escaped the notice of so diligent a pioneer.
In the class of Reptiles 1420 individuals were obtained, referable to 290 species. Of them, 25, namely, seven Saurians, eight Snakes, and 10 Batrachians, are believed to be new to science. In this class the most interesting discovery is perhaps that of a Frog in New Zealand, as it has hitherto been a matter of doubt[2] whether there were Batrachians in those islands. For, although Polack has stated that, "Toads and Frogs are not uncommon, especially near the mountain districts," Dr. Dieffenbach, to whom we are indebted for the above quotation, cautiously adds, "they have never been seen by me."[3] At any rate, whether "common" or not. Dr. Ferdinand Hochstetter—the worthy and well-known Geologist of the Novara Expedition—was the first person who captured and brought to Europe specimens of the Frog of New Zealand, having obtained them from the mountain-torrents of Cape Colville, near Auckland. The little animal has been accordingly most appropriately named after its discoverer, Leiopelma Hochstetteri.[4] It is also a remarkable fact, that the nearest known ally of this new genus and species of Frog is the Telmatobius peruvianus, of Western S. America. This is an additional proof, if more were wanted, of a remote relationship between the Faunas of the southern extremities of the New World and the Old, of which other instances are well known. As we have already mentioned is the case also with the Mammals, no descriptions are given of the new species of Reptiles, contained in the appended list. It is no doubt intended to reserve these for the general account of the Zoology of the Voyage, but at the same time, we cannot but think it a grievous mistake, to publish a quantity of new names of species without characters attached. The offence is certainly a common one, but not the less objectionable on that account. But it is to be hoped, that the great work, containing the results of the expedition in full, towards the expense of which, we believe, the Austrian Government has made a liberal grant, will soon appear, and render further complaints on this score unnecessary.
