48 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 



The geographical distribution of this species appears to be restricted 

 to the eastern districts ; specimens were obtained in 1857 on the Murray 

 River, and the single example in the Museum collection is a present from 

 Wm. Macleay, Esq., F.L.S., who received it from Port Denison. 



BE^CHIirSOn^^ Giinther. 



Body and tail moderate, rounded ; head depressed, with flat crown 

 and broad muzzle, obtuse in front ; posterior frontal replacing the loreal, 

 in contact with two labials ; one anterior, two posterior oculars ; one or 

 two nasals. Scales smooth, short, large, in fifteen or seventeen rows; 

 anal bifid ; subcaudals two-rowed. Grooved fang in front ; a series of 

 smaller equal teeth behind. 



Scarlet-spotted Snake. Brachysoma diadema. 



(Plate XII, fig. 12.) 



Calamaria diadema, Schleg. Ess., II, p. 35. 



Elaps ornata, Gray, Zool. Ilisc, p. 55. 



Brachysoma diadema, FUz., Syst. Sept., p. 25. 



Eurina diadema, Bum. Sf Bihr., p. 1239. 



Eabdion ocoipitale, Girard, U.S., Explor. Exp. Sept., p. 120. 



Grlyphodon ornatus, Gnfhr., Coluhr. Snakes, p. 210. 



Brachysoma diadema, Gnfhr., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 11, 3rd series, p. 23. 



Dr. Gunther remarks : — " I have formerly confounded this snake 

 with Furina bimaculata, D. & B. The genus which has been characterized 

 by myseK with the name of Glyphodon is valid, but must bear the name 

 of Brachysoma ; whilst for Brachysoma, Gnthr., the name of Furina, 

 D. & B., may be substituted." The following description is given by 

 Dr. Gunther : — 



Scales in 15 rows. 



Two anal plates. 



Abdominals, 188 to 198. 



Subcaudals, 46/46. 



Length of cleft of mouth, \, inch. 



Tail, 3 J inches. 



Total length, 24 inches. 



