Localities of the herpetological collections made during the "Novara Reise."

Abstract

Recent work, involving forms of the genera Dasypeltis and Liophis men- tioned in the Novara expedition reports made it necessary to re-examine the original travel descriptions. This resulted in the discovery of several interesting and apparently little known facts regarding the voyage and the collections resulting therefrom. Since some parts of the descriptions are no longer readily available, the following itinerary of the voyage and comments on the herpetological collections have been prepared in the hope that they might prove useful to others working on related problems. On May 30, 1857, the Austrian Frigate Novara left Trieste on a circum- navigation of the globe. This voyage, designed primarily as a training venture for navy personnel, was also intended as an opportunity to "show the Austrian flag at more points of the world" (Scherzer, 1861, v. 1, p. 3). Secondary purposes were to be served by the accumulation of geological and natural history collections. To implement the latter and to engage in researches and observations in various fields, the expedition was accompanied by a scientific commission.