NOTES ON SNAKES FROM PERSIA. 



799 



The absorption of the costal rows is interesting. The two first steps 

 from 19 to 17, and from 17 to 15 occur close together so that they 

 may be reversed but usually the two rows next to the vertebral, i.e., 

 the 8th and 9th blend first and then the 3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th 

 rows above the ventrals. From 15 to 13 the two rows next the 

 vertebral aoain blend, i.e., the 6th and 7th above the ventrals. 



I noticed in specimen No. 2 a faint indication anteriorly of a pink- 

 ish vertebral stripe so that it seems probable intermediate forms will 

 be met with to connect the two colour varieties. The 4th supralabial 

 is divided in both forms, and I think it would be more correct to say 

 that the 4th, 5th and 6th usually touch the eye, not the 5th and 6th 

 only, {vide Boulenger s Catalogue Vol. I., p. 398). The upper part 

 of the 4th is referred to by Mr. Boulenger as a subocular, an opinion 

 I am opposed to. The origin of this small shield appears to me 

 obvious in this and some other species of Zamenis and in some Simotes 

 and analogy dictates its origin from the 4th supralabial. 



Zamenis microlepis. 

 Two specimens. 



The ultimate costal row is relatively very large, being nearly 

 three times as broad as the median rows and the length of each scale 

 is about twice that of the scales in the penultimate row. It is also 

 very peculiar in that each scale touches three above instead of two 

 which is the almost invariable rule in snakes. The parietals are pecu- 

 liar in that they touch no postocular. The supralabials are peculiar 

 in that the first two and the last two or three are entire, and all the 

 rest divided. The colour is pale blue grey with well defined dun- 

 black subrectangular marks. A median series passing as bars across 

 12 



