30 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 



have almost every scale of the hody marked with a yellow spot in the 

 centre, and often a somewhat indistinct, and frequently interrupted, yellow 

 streak on each side. The abdominal plates are yellow, more or less 

 blotched with black ; and many species occur which have a number of 

 diamond-shaped yellow spots upon the body, formed by a few of the 

 lighter scales, and hence their name has probably arisen.* The head is 

 covered with a number of irregular small scales, which are also more or 

 less marked with yellow, and the last seven scales of the lower jaw forming 

 the line of the mouth are deeply pitted. By these grooved or hollowed 

 scales the harmless character of the reptile may be at once ascertained, 

 as not one of our venomous species has scales so marked. The line of 

 the mouth— the " gape" — is straight, as in venomous subjects ; but the 

 deep indentions which mark the last lower labial scales, the small irregular 

 head shields, the numerous body scales, the prehensile tail, and the 

 rudimentary limlis or spurs near the anus, can leave no doubt on the minds 

 of persons who know these facts as to what kind of reptile they have to 

 deal with shovild they be wounded by a Diamond Snake. 



It must not be overlooked, however, that in Tasmania a highly 

 venomous species [Koplocephalus superhus) has also received the name of 

 "Diamond Snake;" and it is often the case that persons who have for some 

 time resided in Tasmania describe " Diamond Snakes" indiscriminately 

 as highly venomous. To make a work of the present kind useful to all, 

 co-operation is necessary ; and as a good sound English name is prefixed 

 to every species, it is to be hoped that such name mil, if possible, be 

 retained, and that Tasmanian friends will accept another designation for 

 the venomous " Diamond Snake" of their island, namely, — Broad-scaled 

 Snake [Hoplocephalus superbHs), 



The range of this reptile (Jf. spUotes) is restricted to a very limited 

 area of country, it being found in no other part of Australia than from Port 

 Macquarie to Jervis Bay or perhaps Cape Howe, and from the coast to 

 the western slopes of the Blue Mountains and the Liverpool Range. In 

 the plains watered by the Lachlan, the Murray, and the Murrumbidgee, 

 this species is not found, the Carpet Snake (Morelia variegata) there 

 taking its place. 



* A verj fine Diamond Suatp, witli the yellow spots very large, and with numerous regular cross bands, 

 lias been received at the Museum from Brisbane Water ; it measures 8 feet 6 inches in length. 



