338 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



Tarbophis sp. I have seen a specimen of a species of this genus, from 

 Ooroomiah, Persia, which is possibly different from that found in Southern 

 Europe. The head is relatively shorter, the vertical and particularly the 

 occipital plates being less elongate. There are ten upper labials, all narrow 

 and high, the fourth, fifth and sixth bounding the orbit. In Bonaparte's 

 coll. specimen there are eight, eye over third, fourth and fifth as described by 

 Dumcril and Giinther; the seventh is very minute, the eighth horizontal. 

 There are eleven inferior labials ; twelve in the Ooroomiah specimen, which 

 has also three postoculars. Coloration much as in the v i v a x ; there is a 

 narrow vertebral line and the belly is very dark. 



What this serpent should be named, if requiring it, is uncertain. The 

 plates in Eichwald and Savigny's works resemble it, while the figures of 

 Schlegel, Fleischmann and of the " Voyage dans la Russie Meridionale," etc. 

 are different. 



Natrix leopardina. 



Callopeltis leopardina, Fauna Italica. 



This species bears considerable resemblance to Pityophis c a t e n i f e r. 

 There seems to be no reason why Laurenti's original name for the Callopeltis 

 or Coluber flavescens of some authors should not be retained as well as 

 his Coroaella, Naja and Dipsas ; especially in view of the want of uniformity 

 in the practice of naturalists in the matter. Besides the names above men- 

 tioned, the genus has received those of Scotophis (Baird et Girard) and Elaphis 

 (Hallow, fide Dum.) 



It contains the species longissima (Col. flavescens auct.), quad- 

 rilineata, leopardina, rufodorsata, conspicillat a, manda- 

 rin a, c a 1 1 i c e p h a 1 a, in the Old World ; quadrivittata, gut- 

 tata, laet a, con finis, rhinomega, vulpina, allegheniensis 

 and perhaps others, in North America. 



Tyria gracilis. 



From Ahmednuggur, India, has been received this species, quite recently 

 described by Dr. Giinther as Zamenis gracilis. Tyria is an older name 

 than Zamenis, hence we are compelled to write Tyria atrovirens, T. 

 ventrimaculata, T. hippocrepis, etc. While Per tops Wagl. is 

 rightly regarded by Giinther as a synonym of Tyria, Fitzinger's Chilolepis, 

 typified by C. cliffordii, seems to be a valid genus not generally recog- 

 nized. The Coryphodon fasciolatus of Giinther, poorly described by 

 authors, seems to be a Tyria, if I have properly identified it. The separate 

 posterior upper maxillary tooth is shorter than usual in the genus. 



Bascanium ant hi cum. 



Scales in seventeen longitudinal rows. Teeth equal. Head moderately 

 distinct, plane in profile ; supercilia prominent, muzzle rounded. Rostral 

 plate much higher than broad, prominent. Seven or eight superior labials, 

 eye over third and fourth or fourth and fifth. Nasals high, loreal oblique, 

 as high as long. Two preoculars, inferior very small, superior not reaching 

 vertical. Two postoculars ; two large and two small temporals in contact 

 with occipitals ; the latter are rounded, broad, their common suture not so 

 long as the vertical plate. Superciliaries broad ; vertieal laterally concave ; 

 postfrontals longer than prefrontals. Anal divided. Total length 34 inches ; 

 of rictus 10 lines ; of tail 9 inches 3 lines. 



Color black, varied with many yellow scales ; which are either single or 

 arranged in irregular spots ; beneath yellow. Head brown, with yellowish 

 brown spots which are most distinct on the occipital and labial regions. 



The native country of this species is not certainly known ; some circum- 

 stances lead me to think that it is from Siam. If so, we have another in- 

 stance of the close similarity of North American and Eastern Asiatic forms. 

 In Siam alone we have a Plethodon, and a form scarcely differing from 



[August, 



