248 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



fourth rows of scales are densely punctulated with black, thus forming an in- 

 distinct band upon each side. The punctulations are more numerous upon the 

 fourth row, hence the band is better defined upon its dorsal margin. A pair 

 of dark bands commence upon the occipital plates, and extend a short dis- 

 tance upon the back, enclosing a light vitta. The dark bands send off upon 

 each side two branches, one to the middle of the superciliary plate, and one 

 to the superior suture of the upper postocular. From the inferior su- 

 ture of the same plate, a deep brown vitta extends to the angle of the 

 of the mouth ; this continued in front of the orbit as far as the nostril. The 

 superior labial shields are paler than the crown, are punctulated, and have 

 upon their postero-superior angle a triangular brown mark. Belly yellowish- 

 grey, densely punctulated with black, (whence the name.) On each side, the 

 gastrosteges are crossed near their extremities by a narrow black band, which 

 is continuous from the throat to the end of the tail. Anteriorly the punctu- 

 lations arrange themselves in two series of indistinct V-shaped marks within the 

 bands but they are quite ill defined, and in some specimens will probably be 

 absent. 



One specimen. Buenos Ayres. Dr. A. Kennedy. 



Coniophanes Hallowell, MSS. Type C. fissidens.* 



This genus consists of coronelliform serpents with grooved teeth, of rather a 

 slender habit, having a distinct, depressed head, conic muzzle, one preocular 

 and a divided anal plate. Perhaps the Coronella bipunctata of Giinther 

 belongs to it. 



It differs from Dromicus in the grooved maxillary tooth, and the less lanceo- 

 late head. Philodryas has a much more elongate body and tail. A peculiarity 

 in the coloration of the species consists in the numerous punctulations of the 

 upper and under surface, whence probably the name (kovioc pulverulentus.) 



104. C. punctigularis nobis. Scales thin, lanceolate, in twenty-one 

 longitudinal rows. Head broad posteriorly, muzzle rather shortly conic. Pre- 

 frontals equal in size to the fourth superior labial ; post-nasal larger than pre- 

 nasal ; loreal as high as long ; preocular not reaching the vertical. Vertical 

 elongate, its sides parallel ; occipitals moderate, each bounded by two large, 

 and two small temporals. Postoculars two ; superior labials eight ; eye over 

 the fourth and fifth. Symphyseal unusually broad ; inferior labials nine. 

 Gastrosteges 121, one divided anal, urosteges 44, (tail mutilated.) Total 

 length 14 in. 6 1. Tail 3 in. 4 1. (was probably nearly two inches longer. 



Coloration. Above, dark chestnut-brown, shaded with grey on the top of the 

 head. On each side of the neck, three scales behind the terminal superior 

 labial, a whitish line commences. These widen, assume a pale ferruginous 

 hue, and extend to the tip of the tail. They cover the sixth, seventh and 

 half of the fifth and eighth rows of scales on each side, and enclose a brown 

 dorsal band five scales wide. Upon the neck the brown of the sides is very 

 deep, and extends forward as a band to the orbit. It is bordered beneath 

 with white. Lips and throat yellowish-white, densely punctulated with 

 brown. Gastrosteges also yellowish-white, punctulated irregularly at their 

 tips. 



One specimen. Honduras. Mr. J. S. Hawkins k Dr. J. L. LeConte. 



C. fissidens Hallow, differs from the present species in several points. 

 The body is more elongate, there being 140 gastrosteges instead of 121. The 

 head is more depressed, and the muzzle more prominent, since the prefrontal 

 plates are in the plane of the occipitals. This form, together with the dark 



* Coronella fissidens Gthr. Cat. Brit. Mus. p. 36. 



[June, 



