The Flat-nosed Snakes 



The scalation of the head generally -apart from the unusual 

 development of the nose-plate is interesting and different 

 from the majority of colubrine snakes of this country. Between 

 the eye and the upper lip plates (superior labials) is a row of 

 small scales. There are two or three plates in front of the eye 

 (supraoculars) and two to four loreal plates. 



BROWN'S FLAT-NOSED SNAKE 

 Plyllorlynchus browni, (Stejneger) 



Size small and the body slender; head but slightly distinct. 

 The scales on the forward portion of the body are very faintly 

 keeled; on the latter portion the carination is distinct. Tail 

 short about one-eighth the total length. 



Colouration. Whitish or pale yellow, with fifteen brown 

 blotches on the back which are paler in their centres. Abdomen 

 white. There is a dark bar across the head between the eyes. 



No spots on the sides. 



Dimensions. Total length 13 inches; tail if inches. 



Distribution. But two specimens are known. Both were 

 taken near Tucson, Arizona. 



Habits. Nothing is known of the habits. It appears to 

 be a desert animal. 



THE PENINSULA FLAT-NOSED SNAKE 

 Phyllorbynchus decurtatus, (Cope) 



Differs from the preceding reptile in having smooth scales 

 and a shorter tail about one-twelfth the total length; also in the 

 colouration. 



Colouration. Whitish or pale yellow, with about thirty 

 dark blotches on the back and one or two rows of spots on the sides. 



Dimensions. Total length 15! inches; tail if inches. 



Distribution. Lower California and south-western Arizona. 

 But three specimens have been collected and of these only a 

 single individual has been taken within the United States at 

 Yuma, Arizona, 



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