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HERPS ON NON-HERP STAMPS 1970
One of four multicoloured artworks of Botswanan animals features a crocodile.
1963 DAHOMEY TRIBES
The same stamp with two values illustrating a Ouodah witch-doctor with a python.
1966
The WHO Headquarters accompanied by the medical caduceus symbol, snake entwined around staff.
1970
A stamp commemorating the laying of the foundation stone of the university features a caduceus.
1972
A mosaic from St Paul's Basilica featuring a bird killing a serpent.
One of three, the Hare and the Tortoise. 1974 DAHOMEY FOLK TALES One of four, the Eagle, the Snake and the Chicken.
EUROAFRIQUE A winged caduceus crest.
as BENIN
Of twenty definitives featuring Angolan wildlife, one features the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). The use of the scientific name Champse vulgaris is interesting. The well known and widely used generic name Crocodylus was first used, inrelation to crocodiles, by Laurenti in 1758 but an earlier name, Champse, had been used for the crocodiles by Merrem in 1820, while Crocodylus had an earlier association with American dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus) going back to Gronovius in 1763. Under the Law of Priority Champse is the senior synonym and in 1933 Werner proposed that Crocodylus be replaced with Champse. Fortunately this proposal was not accepted by the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature who erred on the side of stability by retaining Crocodylus. So a nice little stamp with an unusually historical caption, despite the fact the IUCZ made their decision 24years before the stamp was issued.
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