154 ON THE PHYSIOGNOMY OF SERPENTS. 



natod b}'^ a blunt point ; tlic vertical plate less lengthened 

 than ordinary. All the teeth of equal length ; above yel- 

 lowish-green, varied by five dark rays, which become less 

 distinct by age ; below yellowish. Size about 3 feet. 17 

 to 19 rows of lanceolate smooth scales. S. 190 + 122. 



6. PsAMMOPHis Dahlii. Approaches by its very long 

 and slender form to the Dendrophis. Abdomen slightly 

 angular ; head narrow and long, but furnished with plates 

 more developed tlian in all the preceding species ; eye 

 large : two anterior ocular plates. All the teeth of equal 

 length. A large supernumerary gland behind the lachry- 

 mal. Above olive-grey ; four or five ocellated spots on 

 the sides of the neck. Length 3 to 4 feet. S. 211 + 122. 

 Native of Dalmatia ; and is also perhaps to be found in 

 Egypt. 



7. PsAM^roPHis ELEGANS. A vcrv liaudsome and rare 

 species from the western coast of Africa. Form very slen- 

 der ; muzzle lengthened, conical, a little turned up, and 

 truncated downwards ; above pale brown, with three obse- 

 lete rays ; below four obsolete greenish rays on a yellow 

 ground. S. 191 + 159. 17 rays of small lanceolate smooth 

 scales. 



8. PsAMMOPHis Temmixckti. Umtcs the habit and 

 massy form of a Coluber, to the physiognomy of a Psam- 

 mophis. Abdomen narrow and angular ; above of a clear 

 brown, relieved by four dark rays ; scales marked by one 

 or more black spots. S. 180 -f- 105. From Chile. 



In all probability, we should arrange in tliis genus the 

 CoNDANARousE of RussEL, a native of Ganjam ; but which 

 appears to me much allied to the Psammophis Moniliger, 

 which is spread over almost all Africa. — Part ii. 



The fourth famili/ of Innocuous Serpents includes the 

 Tree-Snakes. They are particularly adapted to inhabit the 

 vast forests of hot climates. They are in very small num- 

 bers in Africa, and very rare in New^ Holland ; Europe 

 only produces anomalous species. They usually have a 

 very elongated figure, pass the greatest part of the day on 

 trees or on bushes, and feed on birds or on Saurian reptiles. 

 The fii'st genus of this family is 



