ACALYPTUS SUPERCILIOSUS. 35^ 



DiSTEIRA DOLIATA. 



Disteira doliata, Lacep. Ann. Mas. iv. p. 199. pi. 57. fig. 2. Dum. if Bibr. Erpetol. gen. vii. 



p. 1331 (not synon.). 

 dumerilii, Jan, Iconogr. descript. in Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1859. 



One postocular. Scales in thirty-nine or forty-one series round the highest part of the 

 body, and having a short central keel; ventrals 234, bicarinate. Back with broad brownish 

 cross bands, the interspaces of the light ground-colour being again divided by narrow brownish 

 transverse streaks, at least on the anterior part of the trunk. 



Only the typical specimen of this species is known ; it is 33 inches long ; no record of the 

 locality where it was obtained has been preserved. 



ACALYPTUS, Bum. Sf Bihr. 



Posterior half of the trunk compressed, of moderate length. Head 

 covered with scales above, the snout and superciliary region only being- 

 shielded. Scales imbricate ; ventral shields none. 



ACALYPTUS SUPERCILIOSUS. 



Acalyptus superciliosus (vel peronii !), Dum. ^- Bibr. vii. p. 1340. 



Head small, scarcely longer than broad ; body of moderate length, with the anterior por- 

 tion rather slender. Two labials below the orbit; two postoculars. Nasals forming a 

 suture together ; a pau' of frontals, as large as the nasals ; the nostrils are between the nasals 

 and frontals; twenty-three series of scales round the neck; scales slightly imbricate, each 

 with a more or less prominent short keel. Trunk with twenty-two black cross bands, 

 tapering on the belly, and about half as broad as the interspaces; each interspace with a 

 very faint greyish cross band. Belly with narrow blackish transverse bands alternating with 

 those descending: from the back. 



*& 



This is one of the scarcest Ophidians, only two specimens being known to exist in collec- 

 tions; the larger, 26 inches long, is in the British Museum. It is believed to inhabit some 

 part of the south-western Pacific. 



