74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



dered more or less distinctly with darker, the latter clouded with the same. 

 The mental region sometimes spotted with darkish. The posterior borders of 

 the superciliary and vertical plates are black; from the posterior angle of the 

 latter extends a black band which bifurcates with the border of the plates, 

 and widening, unites with a straight longitudinal postocular band. The 

 latter approaches more or less nearly a large black muchal spot. A series of 

 alternating spots extends for a few inches posterior to this ; they are then re- 

 solved into transverse bars, which are obsolete through tbe greater part of the 

 length. Posteriorly the scales are all bordered with darker. 



Obtained near Jeremie, Hayti, by Dr. Weinland. Mus. Comparative Zoology, 

 Cambridge, Mass., (No. 1519). 



The genus Ialtris (<*xxa> jacto, rapio) is allied to Dromicus, but differs widely 

 in dentition. In the latter respect it somewhat resembles Psammophis, and 

 evidently lessens the brief interval between this genus and the former, 

 which herpetologists have hitherto admitted. A peculiarity not shared 

 by any other genus, is the absence of solid teeth on the os maxillare posterior 

 to the median long one. In specific characters this serpent resembles Also- 

 phis a n g u 1 i f e r, especially the variety of the latter found in eastern Cuba. 

 It must be in some degree similar to the Philodryas dorsalis from Hayti, 

 but I have not been able to compare them. 



Alsophis v u d i i. 



Scales in seventeen longitudinal rows, biporous. Head lanceolate de- 

 pressed, canthus rostralis distinct, rounded. Rostral plate rounded, not 

 prominent ; vertical plate once and a half times as long as its anterior 

 breadth, lateral borders slightly concave. Occipital plates very elongate, 

 posterior emargination acute angled, common suture remarkably deep, longer 

 than the vertical plate. Temporal plates, two large, two or three small, the 

 anterior in contact with one or both of the postoculars, and the posterior 

 three superior labial shields. Of the latter there are eight, the third, fourth 

 and fifth entering the orbit. Nasals and loreal elongate, superior border of 

 the latter nearly parallel to the inferior. Preocular extending upon the sur- 

 face of the head, not reaching the vertical. Inferior labials eleven, sixth 

 largest; postgenials longer than pregenials. Total length 39 in.; tail 11 in. 



Light brown above, leaden brown beneath, everywhere thickly punctulated 

 with darker. A deeper shade, which is sometimes of a rufous tint, occupies 

 the median line of the back. Many of the scales have one white margin. 

 Many one or two black margins ; the latter are sometimes arranged in trans- 

 verse series, most distinct anteriorly. The common occipital, posterior and 

 supercilio-vertical sutures are dark shaded. A dark brown band extends 

 from the end of the muzzle and terminates at the neck ; it is succeeded by a 

 few interrupted brown spots or lines or lines on the neck, beneath which a 

 reddish tint prevails. Labials yellowish, punctulated and bordered with 

 brown ; gular and mental regions indistinctly lined with the same ; gastro- 

 steges bordered with leaden brown. 



Habitat. New Providence Id., Bahamas. Mus. Academy Nat. ScL, Phila. 

 Salem, Mass. 



This species is dedicated to my friend. Dr. H. C. Wood, Jr., author of me- 

 moirs on Myriapoda and extinct Cryptogamia. According to this gentleman, 

 who obtained it, it is the most common snake in its native island. It is very 

 nearly alied to Alsophis an gu lifer of Cuba, but differs constantly in 

 coloration, and in a greater attenation of form. The occipitals are longer as 

 compared with the vertical than in angulifer. 



That a variety of the same serpent is found in the same island is proven by 

 Dr. Wood's collection. It is light yellowish brown as in angul if er, with 

 complete blackish cross bands upon the posterior portion of the body, three 

 scales apart. These are wanting upon the anterior third of the body, but are 

 represented by black margin ; margined scales at intervals upon the side. 



[Feb. 



