262 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



Hokmonotcs Hallowell. Type H. a u d a x . 



Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1857, p. 56. 



A genus agreeing with Lamprophis Fitz., in having a larger series of verte- 

 bral scales, but differing in the elongated compressed body, and angular gas- 

 trosteges. 



148. H. audax Hallow. 1. c. 



One sp. Gaboon. Dr. H. A. Ford. 



The form of the body, and color of this species, bear some analogy to those 

 of the Boiga pulverulenta, just as the Boodons and Lycophidions 

 resemble the Brachycranion and Atractaspis. The subject of the pre- 

 valence of peculiar shades and arrangement of colors, throughout certain geo- 

 graphical districts, is one of much interest to the zoologist. The smoky and 

 fuscous colors of the serpents just alluded to are repeated among birds in the 

 Nectarinia fuliginosa, the genera Andropadus, Drymoeca, Artemyias, etc. 

 The Euprotodon (Lycodon) of the East Indies in the distribution and often in 

 the shade of its colors, resembles very much the venomous Bungarus and 

 Elaps (Calliophis) of the same countries. 



The Elaps of South America is represented in the same region by the black 

 and red-ringed Oxyrhopes, the Erythrolamprus, Pliocercus, Lampropeltis etc. 



? Lycodon Boie. Type L. a u 1 ic u s . 



Isis, 1827, p. 551, num p. 521 ? Schlegel (pars) Ess. ii. p. 106. Fitzinger, 

 Neue Class, p. 29. Dum. et Bibr. vii. p. 367. Giinther 1. c. p. 201. 



We have strong doubts of the propriety of retaining the name Lycodon for 

 this genus, inasmuch as Boie first proposed it for the Colubar audax Linn. 

 a species of widely different affinities. Fitzinger in the " Neue Classification" 

 removed this species to the genus Dipsas, rightly estimating the differences 

 between it and those for which he retained the name Lycodon. He afterwards 

 ("Systema Reptilium," p. 29,) made the same species the type of his genus 

 Siphlophis. Dumeril 1. c. p. 354, follows Fitzinger in the application of the 

 name Lycodon, and quotes Boie's original diagnosis as more particularly ap- 

 propriate to the C. a u 1 i c u s and congeners. As however Boie says ' ' dentes 

 colubrini" of the Psammophis and Dipsas, it must be equally appropriate to the 

 C. audax. This latter species is the type of Lycognathus /)., fam. Anisodon- 

 tiens, Opisthoglyphes. 



In deference to authority we propose no change ; but if herpetologists should 

 ever see fit to apply the name Lycodon to the Lycognathus scolopax 

 (=audax) of Dumeril, the present genus might be appropriately called 

 Euprotodon, and the subfamily Euprotodontinae. 



149. L. a u 1 i c u s Boie 1. c. Dum. & Bibr. vii. p. 369. L. hebe Schleg. 

 Var. A., Dum. & Bibr. 



One sp. ? Mr. R. Oakford. 



Var. B., Dum. & Bibr. 



One sp. India. Dr. Burroughs. 



One " " Gard. of Plants in ex. 



Var. F., Dum. & Bibr. 



One sp. Java. Dr. Ruschenberger. 



Seven sp. Philippine Is. Mr. Cuming in ex. 



Eumesodon nobis. Type E. semicarinatus. 



Palatine teeth of equal length. Mandibular teeth in a continuous series, 

 much longer and stronger anteriorly. Superior maxillary teeth in two slightly 

 separated series, those of the anterior long, but increasing regularly in length 

 posteriorly ; the posterior small in front, but terminating in one or two very 

 long, trenchant, smooth teeth. 



Form elongate, stout ; tail short ; gastrosteges bent on the flanks. Head 



[June, 



