.and Revision of the South American Elaps. 169 



which I consider as a variety of E. corallinus {E. Riisei), where the 

 rings exceptionally approach a triple arrangement. 



All these different forms are viewed by myself as varieties of 

 Elaps lemniscatuSj L., as long as no other constant differences 

 in the shields of the head, &c. are pointed out, with the exception 

 perhaps of E. Gravenhorstii, known from a single specimen 

 only, and of the last form mentioned, referred to E. corallinus. 



The Second Group comprises those forms in which the black 

 rings are equidistant, and if fully developed, do not entirely 

 suppress the red ground-colour : some have the black rings 

 edged with yellow ; in others this colour appears to be absent. 

 The group certainly contains several species, among which the 

 most northern one is pretty well determined, also with regard 

 to its geographical range : but there is a very great variation 

 among the more southern ones ; and which of them are such as 

 to admit of a specific distinction, I attempt to show by the fol- 

 lowing examination and comparison of the British Museum 

 specimens with the descriptions of different authors. Nearly 

 the whole group has been comprised hy Schlegel under one species j 

 E. corallinus. 



A. The red interspaces are spotted with black (besides the black tip 

 of each scale). 

 I. Black rings edged with yellow. 

 a. The interspaces of the red ground-colour extend over ten to twenty 

 scales. 

 u. The black rings rudimentary, gradually becoming complete and 

 surrounding the body. 

 aa. Ten round black spots along the back and three rings round the 



tail : E. epistema, D. & B., from Mexico. 

 lb. Black bands irregularly interrupted, separated by ten to fourteen 

 red scales ; ventrals 216, caudals40 : E. affinis, Jan, from Mexico. 

 cc. Black bands interrupted on the sides, separated by sixteen red 

 scales ; thirteen round the trunk and five round the tail ', ventrals 

 204, caudals 40. — One specimen from Mexico. 

 /3. The black rings complete : E.fulvius, D. & B. 

 dd. Black bands separated by sixteen red scales, twelve round the 

 trunk and five round the tail ; ventrals 21 7, caudals 36. — Four 

 specimens from Mexico. 

 ee. Black bands separated by fifteen red scales, eleven round the 

 trunk and four round the tail; ventrals 213, caudals 41. — One 

 specimen from California. 

 ^. Black bands separated by thirteen red scales, twelve or thirteen 

 round the trunk and four or three round the tail; ventrals 216, 

 caudals 33. — Four specimens from Mexico. 

 gg. Black bands separated by thirteen red scales, thirteen round the 

 trunk and two round the tail ; ventrals 224-237, caudals 26-38 : 

 =:E. tener, Baird, from Texas. 

 hh. Black bands separated by twelve red scales, thirteen round the 

 trunk and four round the tail ; ventrals 222, caudals 42. — One 

 specimen from Texas. 

 a. Black bands separated by eleven red scales, fifteen round the trunk 



