300 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



Phimothyra graharaiae Cope, Pr. A. N. S. Phil. 1860, p. 566. 

 This species has been sent to the Smithsonian Institute from Lower Califor- 

 nia, Mr. J. Xantus' coll. 



Phimothyra b a i r d i i Cope. Salvadora Bairdii Jan. Iconogr. des Kept. Ophid, 

 1 livr. pi. iii. fig. 2. 



This species inhabits the region of Jalapa. A specimen in Mus. Acad. Nat. 

 Sci. exhibits one loreal and two preoculars on each side. 



Conophis vittatu s Peters, Monatsberichte Preuss. Acad. 1860. p. 521. 



The genus Conophis iB allied to Phimothyra, Coniophanes and Tomodon. 

 From the first it is barely separable, differing only in the grooved posterior 

 upper maxillary; the rostral plate is quite similar to that of P. bairdii. As 

 in that genus and Coniophanes, there are no scale pores. From the last two it 

 differs in the prominent rostral and convex frontal region ; Tomodon is further 

 distinguished by its single nasal. T. lin eat us D. B. Erp. Gen. vii. 936, 

 is apparently congeneric with the C. vittatu s, differing specifically in its 

 elongate prefrontals, and punctate gastrosteges. Guatemala is the native coun- 

 try of the Conophis. Mus. Smithsonian, Capt. John M. Dow's coll. 



Spilotes p u 1 1 a t u s Wagler. 



The following observations are suggested by an examination of ten specimens 

 belonging to the museums of Philadelphia and Washington. 



Two distinct forms may be distinctly made out. In the one the scales are 

 very large, in from 15 to 18 rows, strongly keeled except the first two. Supe- 

 rior labials in four specimens seven, in one eight; the last, two-thirds the 

 height of the penultimate in three, equally high in two ; the fifth very small, 

 not reaching the postoculars in four, reaching them in one. The upper surface 

 of the head usually black, the tail and posterior third of the body black and band- 

 less, in all. Two specimens from Surinam (Mus. Acad.j, one from Trinidad 

 (Mus. Gill) and one from Venezeula (Mus. Smiths.) one loc. ign. The second 

 possesses 18 or 19 rows of smaller, weakly keeled scales, those of the first four 

 or five entirely smooth. Superior labials eight, the ultimate as high or higher 

 than the penultimate, the fifth large, appro ichiog or reaching the postocular. 

 The superior surface of the head yellow, crossed by four more or less irregular 

 black cross-bands; the posterior third of the body crossed by numerous narrow, 

 chevron formed cross-bands of yellow ; the tail annulated with the same. 

 Three specimens in Mus. Smithsonian from Mirador, Dr. Sartorius' coll. one loc? 

 Mus. A N. S. 



The first is the " Veriinderliche Natter " of Merrem's Bcitraege, Heft. 2, pi. xii., 

 and Coluber plutonius of Daudin. The C.pulla/us of Linn., Mus. Ad. Fried., 

 which is Cerastes mexicanus Laur. and Col. variabilis of Nieuwied, is represented 

 by these authors and by Seba as annulated posteriorly and upon the tail, 

 though apparently otherwise similar to the plulouius. The second or Mexican 

 form we do not find figured or described. It may be called for the present by 

 the sub-specific appellation of auribundus. 



Pityophis vertebralis Dum. Bibr. not Giinther. Pityophis haematois 

 Cope, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1860, p. 342. 



The serpent described in the Erp. Generale, and by me, as above, must be 

 identified with the Col. vertebralis of Blainville, notwithstanding the imperfect 

 figures and description of the latter author, and the adverse opinion of Giinther. 

 The specimens included under this head in the British Mus. Catal. obviously be- 

 long to a different species. P. v erte b rali s inhabits only Lower California, 

 so far as known. 



Arizona lineaticollis Cope. 



Head distinct, elongate. Rostral plate rounded in profile, much elevated, the 

 posterior angle right, not reaching postfrontals. The latter three times the 



[Sept. 



