Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Series 3, Volume 4 (Zoology)

by Various

"Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Series 3, Volume 4 (Zoology)" is a scientific publication written during the early 20th century. This volume serves as a record of significant contributions to the field of herpetology, specifically detailing the reptiles and amphibians of the Pacific Coast islands of North America. The focus is on classification, distribution, and variation among various species found in this region. The opening of this volume introduces the contributions of John Van Denburgh, who discusses the reptiles and amphibians of the Pacific Coast islands, beginning with a historical overview of previous studies and the gradual accumulation of herpetological knowledge in the area. He provides a comprehensive description of numerous species and subspecies relevant to these islands, emphasizing their classifications and unique characteristics. The introductory remarks illustrate the importance of this research while presenting the detailed findings and observations regarding the distinct fauna present across the various islands, setting the stage for further detailed discussions in the subsequent sections of the volume.