78 ATJSTEALIAN SNAKES. 



VEEMilCELIiA., Oray. 



Body elongate, rounded ; tail very short ; head similar to MajJs ; 

 one nasal, pierced by the nostril ; no loreal — replaced by anterior ocular 

 and nasal ; one anterior, two posterior oculars. Scales smooth, not much 

 imbricated, in fifteen rows ; those of the vertebral line not larger ; anal 

 and subcaudals bifid. Grooved minute fang in front; no other tooth 

 behind. 



This genus shews the remarkable fact, that the Australian Conocerci, 

 without smooth teeth behind the fang, are more closely allied to the 

 American Elaps than to the East Indian ones. ( Gimther.) 



Black and white Ringed Snake. Vermicella annulata. 



(Plate XI, figs. 12 and 12a.) 

 Vermicella annulata, Ch-ay, MSS. Brit. Mus., Sf Ounther, Cat. of Coluhr. Snakes in Coll. 

 Brit. Mus., p. 236. 



Scales in 15 rows. 

 Abdominal plates, 225. 

 Two anal plates. 

 Subcaudals, 18/18. 

 Total length, 28 inches. 

 Head, \ inch. 

 TaU, li inch. 



The following is Dr. Giinther's description : — " Body elongate, 

 rounded, slightly compressed behind ; tail very short ; head moderate, 

 not distinct from neck ; rostral shield very large, rounded, raised above 

 the surface of snout ; occipitals rather narrow ; two posterior oculars ; 

 anterior large, replacing the loreal together with the nasal ; nasal sliield 

 single, pierced in the centre by the small nostril ; six upper labials, third 

 and fourth coming into the orbit ; one large temporal shield in contact 

 with the upper posterior ocular, two smaller ones behind. Scales smooth, 

 large, rather rounded behind, in fifteen rows. Anal and subcaudals bifid. 

 Tail ending in an obtuse conical scale. Two small fangs in front of upper 

 jaw, no other teeth behind ; palatine and mandibulary teeth equal in 

 length. Crown of head and muzzle black ; a yellowish (in fresh specimens 

 white) band across the posterior frontals, a second on the neck ; body and 

 tail encircled by alternate black and white rings. Length of cleft of 

 mouth, \" ; length of tail, \\" ; total, 28"." 



