340 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OP 



tified with the Streptophonis of Dumeril, by Prof. Jan of Milan, and that the 

 type of the former, N. diademata B. and G. is the Streptophorus b i f a s - 

 c i a t u s of the Erpetologie Generale. From an examination of the type speci- 

 men of Baird and Girard's description, I have become convinced of the correct- 

 ness of this identification. The species of the genus will then stand : 



Ninia diademata. Streptophorus bifasciatus, Erp. Gen. vii. 520. 



Ninia atkata.* Streptophorus Drozii, 1. c. p. 518. 



Ninia Lansbekgii. Streptophorus Lansbergii, 1. c. p. 518. 



Ninia Sebae. Streptophorus Sebae, 1. c. p. 515. 



In these Proceedings, 1860, p. 77, I questioned the propriety of associating 

 this genus with the genera of Calamarinse. I now believe that it cannot be 

 arranged in that sub-family. 



Tkopidoclonion Cope. 

 T. Kietlandii Cope. 



Regina Kirtlandii Kennicott, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1856, p. 95. 



This beautiful species, first described by Mr. Kennicott under Baird and 

 Girard's genus Regina, appears to be congeneric with the Tropidoclonion 

 lineatum Cope of Kansas. In neither species is the nasal plate entirely 

 divided, but a groove connects the nostril with the labial suture. The anal 

 plate in the Ki r t landii is divided, entire in the lineatum. I am not 

 prepared to regard this difference as generic here, though it certainly is among 

 some serpents. In dentition this genus is isodont, and the head is not distinct 

 from the body. 



The Academy's Museum possesses a specimen of the T. Kirtlandii from 

 Columbus, Ohio, presented by Prof. Lesquereux, and a second, half grown, 

 from the neighborhood of Trenton, New Jersey, discovered by my friend Mr. 

 C. C. Abbott of that place. 



This specimen differs in no respect from that from Ohio. This species has 

 therefore an extensive distribution, ranging from New Jersey to Illinois. 

 Its habits according to Mr. Kennicott, are terrestrial, which statement is con- 

 firmed by the observations of Mr. Abbott. 



Tropidonotus Kuhl. 

 T. ustds Cope. 



Scales in twenty-one longitudinal rows, all carinate, those of the first, faint- 

 ly. Those of the second row not larger than those of the vertebral. Head 

 narrow, not depressed, the end of the muzzle slightly elevated. Lateral bor- 

 ders of the vertical plate slightly concave, not convergent posteriorly. Pre- 

 frontals small. Nostril in the supero-posterior angle of the prenasal plate. 

 Loreal longer than high. Preocular single, two postoculars. Superior labials 

 eight, fourth and fifth bounding the orbit. Lower postocular in contact with 

 the occipital and a large temporal plate, which extends to the eighth labial. 



A second large, and three small temporals border the occipitals exteriorly. 

 Ten inferior labials, sixth largest. Posterior pair of geneials longer than the 

 anterior. Tail one-fourth the total length. Gastrosteges 126 ; anal one, di- 

 vided ; urosteges 66. Total length 12 in., 1 line. Tail 2 in. 10 1. 



Coloration. Above, a yellowish ferruginous, pale upon the head, very deep 

 upon the tail. Upon careful examination there are to be seen very indistinct 

 erect half bands upon each side, extending from the first to the central rows 

 of scales, alternating with each other. Posteriorly they become entirely 

 transverse. Belly salmon color, passing into orange ferruginous upon the 

 urosteges. Each gastrostege has a large central area of yellow, bordered on 

 each side with wax yellow, {cereus Lat.) these colors, however, blending pos- 

 teriorly. 



See Proc, Phil. Acad. 1860, p. 76. 



[Aug. 



