Zoology.] NATUKAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Reptile 



of the top of the head in Plate 1, fig. 2c, shows the form of the 

 plates in the young (one-third larger than nature), and as the adult 

 of the same size as our present figured P. Aiistralis always has the 

 vertex plate proportionally broader and shorter than in the young, 

 I give in the present Plate 142, fig. 2, a representation of the top 

 of the head, natural size, of a Black Snake of the same size as 

 fig. lb of the present species, so that the relative differences of the 

 shape, length, and width of the vertex plate, and the proportionate 

 distance from it to the rostral plate may be seen in each. The 

 vertex plate is scarcely one-fifth longer than wide, or nearly as 

 broad as long in the adult P. porpliyriacus, the length being 

 slightly less than from its anterior angle to posterior angle of 

 rostral plate, and nearly twice as long as wide in P. Australis, in 

 which the plates in front are shortened, giving the blunter or 

 wider outline to the anterior part of the head in it. 



The belly has the colour and lustre of polished copper in some 

 specimens. 



This species is only found in the warm northern parts of the 

 colony near the Murray, being very abundant on the scorching 

 plains, and very virulent and deadly in the bite, both for man and 

 beast. The figured specimen is from Kewell. 



Not figured of colours of life before. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 142. — Fig. 1, ordinary specimen, one-half natural size, showing the single row of 

 anterior subcaudal plates (with an abnormal doubling of the two anterior ones) and the two 

 rows of posterior subcaudals (with an abnormal single one following the first pair). Fig. la, 

 side view of head, natural size. Fig. 16, top view of head, natural size, showing the elongate 

 form of the vertex plate. Fig. lc, front view of same, to show rostral plate, natural size. Fig. 2, 

 top view of head of Black Snake {P. porphyriacus) natural size, to show the broader and shorter 

 vertex plate, and the greater proportional distance from its anterior angle to posterior angle 

 of rostral plate. 



Frederick McCoy. 



[]60] 



