NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 129 



The genus is near to Carphophis inmost respects, including the divided anal 

 shield, but differs in its two distinct nasals, of which the anterior is pierced 

 for the nostril. There are two postoculars, and fifteen series of scales. Teeth 

 equal. Form rather slender. The postgeneials are quite small, and con- 

 verted into scales similar to those at the extremities of the gular gastrosteges : 

 they nevertheless occupy the true position of geneials. The pregeneials are 

 very large, and so wide as to reduce the two sm ill inferior labials bordering 

 them anteriorly, to a longitudinal linear form ; they crowd the first pair into 

 a transverse linear series : the symphyseal is very small and transverse. 

 Seven inferior labials, fourth and fifth much largest. Superior labials seven, 

 of which the last and fifth are large, the lattter not quite reaching superior 

 postocular, the sixth lower : temporals 1 1. Occipitals elongate, frontal 

 broader than long, prefrontals several times as long as internasals, largely 

 margining orbits. Rostral not projecting ; nasals two, nostril in anterior, 

 which nearly reaches labial bonier ; loreal long, bounded by second, and 

 chiefly third superior labial. Pupil round. Gastrosteges 135, anal divided, 

 urosteges 36. Length of head and body, 10 in. ; of tail, 2 in. 2 1. 



Color above glossy dark brown, the centres of the scales paler, of the outer 

 row especially, reducing the dark to mere margins. A darker brown line 

 from nape to tail on the filth series on each side. A darker shade on hinder 

 part of occipitals and end of muzzle. Straw colored below, extending on su- 

 perior labials round margin of rostral : tail brown below, except middles of 

 proximal ^cutella. 



In this species the pupil is round. 



Siphonops sy ntremus sp. nov. 



This species differs from the four hitherto known, in the close approxima- 

 tion of the narial and tentacular openings : the latter lie a little behind the- 

 former, and are slightly larger. The minute eves are just visible ; the inter- 

 nal nares are some distance behind the palatine arch. Muzzle projecting, ob- 

 tuse in profile; from above narrowed, rounded. Teeth large, five on each 

 ramus mandibuli. A gular, and strong postgular fold ; 130 annular pli.se, 

 which are complete, except slight ventral interruption anteriorly ; the poste- 

 rior third of the length with intermediate annuli, which are first lateral only, 

 then complete above, entirely complete on the terminal inch : the whole num- 

 ber will then be about 170 annuli. 



Form of body rather slender; tail depressed at end. short, acuminate. 



Color dark plumbeous, annuli yellow lined ; head yellowish brown. 



This species resembles the ('oevilia ochrocephala, but is primarily dis- 

 tinguished by the position of the foramen, and of the inner nares, also by the 

 color and character of annuli. 



The species of the genus now are, S. i n d i s t i n c t u s, R. & L. , S. a n n u- 

 latus Mikan, S. brasiliensis Liitk., S. mexicanus Dum., Bibr., 

 and S. syntremus m. 



III. Notes on Neotropical Batrachians. 



Ranula chrysoprasina sp. nov. 



In examining a collection sent to the Smithsonian Institution from Arriba, 

 CustaRica, from Chas. N. Itiotte, I was much surprised to notice what was appa- 

 rently a Hylorana near H. erytbraa. Doubting the correctness of the 

 locality, I laid it away. Having since seen other and allied species from 

 Tropical America, I recognize the existence of a genus representing Hylorana, 

 but differing in the important particular of the incompleteness of the ethmoid 

 arch, its superior plate being represented byoartilage. In the present species 

 the terminal phalanges are slender, and furnished with a transverse limb, 

 though the dilatations are small ; the latter are distinct in the Rana coeru- 

 leopunotata Steindachner ; in an undescribed species from Vera Paz the 

 the transverse limb is very small, but present. 



1866.] 9 



