334 OPHIDIA. 



shields behind the rostral. Eleven small upper labials, the sixth of which is the highest, 

 situated below the orbit, which is entirely surrounded by small scales ; one series of scales 

 between the orbit and the labials. A mental groove is present (1). The scales are small, 

 rounded, smooth, in thirty-six series round the middle of the body. Ventrals 184 ; subcaudals 

 perhaps 30 (the tip of the tail is broken off). Light brownish olive, with a dorsal series of 

 irregular rounded chestnut-brown, black-edged spots ; numerous small brown spots along the 

 side and the belly. 



The single specimen known is considerably shrunk and not in a good state of preservation ; 

 it is 16 inches long, and said to be from Afghanistan. 



ERYX. 



EryXj sp., Daudin. 



Head not distinct from neck, with the snout ohtusely conical, and with a 

 sharp transverse anterior edge. Body cyHndrical, of moderate length ; tail 

 very short. Nostril very narrow, lateral; eyes small, with vertical pupil. 

 Head covered with scales; snout shielded; scales small, slightly keeled. 

 Chin with some small shields along the middle separated by a median 

 groove. 



One species extends from the south of Europe to Persia ; the other is Indian. 



Erys johnii. 



Boa johnii, RusseU, Ind. Serp. ii. p. 18. pi. 16, and p. 20. pi. 17. fig. 1. 

 Clothonia jolinii, Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 45. G'dnth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1860, p. 164. 

 Eryx johnii, Dum. cV Bib?', vi. p. 458. 

 maculatus, Hallowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1849, p. 184 c. fig. 



Eostral shield very large, wedge-shaped, subtriangular ; two pairs of small shields (frontals), 

 one behind the other, on the upper surface of the snout ; from ten to thirteen upper labials, 

 none of which enter the orbit, which is entii-ely surrounded by scales. The remainder of the 

 head is covered with small smooth scales. The body is surrounded by from fifty-four to sixty- 

 five longitudinal series of slightly keeled scales. Ventrals 194-209; subcaudals 26-36. 

 Upper parts reddish olive, uniform or with irregular small black spots and dots ; lower parts 

 generally marbled with blackish. Young specimens with three or four broad brownish rings 

 round the hinder part of the body. 



