Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 100. (Budapest 2008)

Korsós, Z.: History of the Herpetological Collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum

material contained 350 reptiles and amphibians, 203 birds (belonging to 71 species) and approximately 6,000 invertebrates (insects and molluscs) (DELY et al. 1958). "Besides two giant cobras, the expedition managed to bring home Horned and Sand vipers. Among the lizards there was a large Varanus, in addition to many small different lizards? (HORVÁTH 1963). The material has never been processed in its details, just as the Sudanese expedition was not realised which had been planned for the next year. DELY had to concentrate on the writing of his candidate dissertation around this time. Unfortunately, not only his whole collection but also his whole scientific work was destroyed in 1956. He actually had to write his candidate dissertation two times, because both of his manuscripts and his study material (samples of the Hungarian Alpine Newt populations) were burnt. Finally, in 1965 he acquired the Hungarian academic degree, the Candidate of Biological Sciences with his 369-page dissertation entitled "Ecological and taxonomical studies on the Alpine Newt". Figs 36—37. 36 = O. GY. DELY as a young herpetologist at his table in the Herpetological Collection. FEJÉRVÁRY'S portrait hangs on the wall (courtesy of Á. DELY-DRASKOVITS), 37 = DELY in the new Herpetological Collection arranging material in the cabinets (courtesy of Á. DELY-DRASKOVITS)