INNOCUOUS SERPENTS. 153 



the hot and temperate regions of both worlds, bnt they have 

 not hitherto been observed in New Holland. They rarely 

 attain a large size. 



1. PsAMMOPHis Lacertina. Slzc larger, and form 

 more heavy than in the other species. It is easily recog- 

 nised by its scales having a hollowed groove, and at the 

 summit of the head being concave, and separated in the 

 form of a casque. Vertical plate very narrow; anterior 

 frontals and occipitals small ; above olive-brown or green- 

 ish, ornamented with 5 ranges of spots ; below yellowish ; 

 labial and mental plates with broad green spots. S. 

 189 + 80. Inhabits most of the countries bordering on 

 the Mediterranean. 



2. PsAMMOPHis MoNiLiGER. Of a Icss size, and less 

 robust make than the preceding. Head less broad and 

 more depressed ; greenish-brown or olive-green, with a 

 yellow dorsal ray ; often two similar rays on the sides. 

 The plates of the head ornamented with large obsolete spots. 

 Varies extremely both in the form and the system of its 

 colour. S. 136 to 170 + 62 to 125 : from 15 to 17 rows 

 of smooth scales. Country, all Africa, even to the Levant. 

 The southern point of that continent produces a gi*eat num- 

 ber of varieties of this species, and an analogous race is 

 found in the Isle of France. 



3. PsAMMOPHis PULVERULENTA. Of Very Small size ; 

 tail very short ; grooved teeth, extremely large ; head co- 

 nical ; muzzle convex, and rather short ; vertical plate 

 very narrow ; reddish-yellow, varying to brown and to 

 black ; head rayed with black ; a dark-coloured dorsal ray 

 accompanied by a row of alternate spots. The tints vary 

 in different individuals. S. 153 + 54. Bengal, Sumatra, 

 and Java. 



4. PsAMMOPHis Seychellensis. Head slender and de- 

 pressed ; muzzle truncated ; 17 ranges of lanceolate and 

 strongly carinated scales. Deep brown, varied with al- 

 ternate black and white spots ; a pale ray bordered with 

 black passes from the lips to the sides of the neck. S. 188 



+ 107. 



5. PsAMMOPHis Antillensis. Shape slender ; habit of 

 Ps. Moniliger ; head broad and conical ; muzzle termi- 



