Tirr. j'lnxcTiwL si'kctks oi' roisoNOUS snakes 



S7 



Seven species of this genus are known, divided into two groups 

 us follows : — 



(1) Scales on the body in 15 rows. 



J). psKiiDiioplns (fig. 47). — Internasal shields at least half as 

 long as the pra?frontals. 



1). toniudtd. — Internasals 

 more than lialf as long as the 

 prapfrontals. 



D. oUvacea (fig. 48). — In- 

 ternasals not more than half 

 as long as the pripfrontals ; 

 snout broad. 



(2) Scales in 17 or 19 rows. 

 D. niodesta. — 154 — 165 ventrals. 



1). textills (Brown Snake, fig. 49). — 190 — •232 ventrals. 

 1). iinchalis (fig. 50).— 184— 224 ventrals. 



Fig. 50.^ — Dicinenid nuclialis. 



(e) Pseudechis. 



Maxillary bones extending forwards as far as the palatines, 

 with a pan* of large grooved poison-fangs followed by 2 — 5 small 

 solid teeth ; anterior mandibular teeth long. Head distinct from 

 the neck : eyes rather small, 

 with round pupils ; nostril be- 

 tween two nasal shields. Body 

 cylindrical. Scales smooth, in 

 17 — 23 rows (more on the 

 neck). Tail moderate ; sub- 

 caudals in 2 rows, or partly 

 single, partly in 2 rows. 



Total length, 1,500—2,000 

 millimetres, sometimes more. 



Habitat : Australia and New Guinea 



This genus includes eight species. 



Fig. 51. — Pscudcch is ijorphyriacus. 



