NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 



the perforate fangs ; the absence of solid maxillary teeth ; the elliptical pupil. 

 On the other, we observe the elevated, plated head ; fangs, which, in closing 

 round the poison duct, have not obliterated the line of junction ;* the pres- 

 ence of solid maxillary teeth, and the circular pupil. But in the first, many 

 genera have the head more or less completely plated ; Daboia (Gray) has 

 circular pupil. In the latter, Vermicella (Or.,) Elaps (L.,) Cyrtophis (Sund.. ) 

 and Sipedon (Merr.,) have no solid teeth behind the fangs; Dendraspis 

 (Schl.) has perforated fangs", and Acanthophis (Daud.) has the pupil erect 

 and elliptical. 



In recapitulation, we characterize as follows the families Viperidas and 

 Najidse, adopting the appellations given them by the Prince of Canino, whose 

 genius here perceived that order, "in tracing which the human mind is only 

 translating into human language, the Divine thoughts expressed in Nature in 

 living realities."! 



1. VirERIDJE. 



Essential char. Superior maxillary bone vertical by excessive abbreviatiou 

 anteriorly and posteriorly, supporting Venom fangs alone ; united to the an- 

 terior fiuuiiti aL its upper extremity, and to the ectopterygoid at the lower 

 extremity of its posterior face by ginglymoid articulations. Caudal vertebra-.- 

 normal, without greatly developed processes. 



Characters not universal. Tympanic bone much elongated, giving great 

 breadth to the head posteriorly. Fangs having all external trace of the en- 

 folded canal obliterated. Pupil erect, elliptical. Occipital region scaly. 



2. Najid.*:. 



Essential char. Superior maxillary bone horizontal, abbreviated and sup- 

 porting venom fangs anteriorly ; elongated posteriorly, and united to the 

 prefrontal and shortened ectopterygoid by imperfectly moveable articulations. 

 Caudal vertebra? normal, without greatly developed processes. 



Characters not universal. Tympanic bone shortened, causing the head to 

 be but little distinct from the body. Fangs not perfectly consolidated over the 

 canal. Pupil circular. Occipital region plated. 



These families correspond to the Solenoglyphes and ProteroglypL.es 

 Conocerques, of Dumeril and Bibron. Though the arrangement of these 

 eminent herpetologists is certainly, in this point, more natural than that 

 of the British Museum catalogue, where the Najidse (Elapsidse) are placed 

 among the Colubrine snakes ; yet it appears to us that they are in error in 

 not considering the sea-snakes, Proteroglyphis Platycerques, as constitut- 

 ing a group of equal rank with those above defined. They are characterized 

 by numerous external peculiarities, and the compression of the caudal vertebra?, 

 and unusual development of their neural and hajmal spines, constitute a 

 modification whose importance may be partly measured by its striking 

 adaptation to a special end in their economy. 



3. Hydeophid-b. 



Essential char. Superior maxillary bone horizontal, possessing very little 

 mobility ; abbreviated, and supporting a grooved fang anteriorly ; much 

 elongated posteriorly, and supporting a series of solid teeth. Caudal vertebra) 

 compressed, inferior and superior processes much elongated, to serve as a sup- 

 port to the compressed, oar-like tail. Pupil round (?) 



Characters not universal. Head not dilated posteriorly; in consequence Of the 

 shortness of the tympanic bone. Body compressed ; scales not imbricated, 

 nor united into gastrosteges on the belly. Head plated. Nostrils superior, j 

 valvular. 



* Termed by herpeiologists " grooved," "canneles." 



tA^assiz. 



1 P^aturus Daud. is an exception. 



1859.] 



