INNOCUOUS SERPENTS. 103 



21. DiPSAS Nattereri. Departs from the other spe- 

 cies of Dipsas by its head, of which the shape approaches 

 that of the Dendrophis. The muzzle, however, is short 

 and narrow, and the pupil of the eye vertical ; plates on 

 the muzzle small, those of the top of the head long and 

 narrow ; 17 rows of lanceolate scales, surmounted by a 

 carina, and of the same size throughout ; a posterior 

 maxillar tooth, larger than the rest. Of small size ; 

 bro-svnish ; back with four dark rays. S. 168 -f 74. From 

 Brazil. 



22. DiPSAS puNCTATissiMA. Sizc, habit, and form, 

 absolutely like the preceding ; but the scales are smooth, 

 the tail more slender, the tints clearer, the vertical plate 

 more elongated, and the eye smaller. S. 160 + 90. In- 

 habits the regions to the north of the river of the Ama- 

 zons. 



23. DiPSAs Gaimardii. A very beautiful species, from 

 the Island of Madagascar ; has a form very slender, and 

 extremely delicate ; body somewhat high ; sides of the 

 tail slightly angular ; head rather small ; 17 rows of 

 scales all of equal size. S. 276 + 116. Of a pale purple- 

 brown ; a gi'eat number of transverse bands on the back ; 

 often accompanied by spots on the sides. 



24. DiPSAs ANNULATA. Resemblcs the preceding by 

 its colours and physiognomy ; but its form is much more 

 heavy ; the head more voluminous, the tail shorter. S. 

 186 + 89. Occurs from the Paraguay as far as New 

 Orleans. 



25. Dipsas fallax. A singular species, which approaches 

 the Coronellse. Like the last, but more robust, and witli 

 a shorter tail ; the occipitals are also smaller, the head 

 less high, and the eye less large. The frenal plate is 

 elongated, and reaches to the eye ; a long gi'ooved tooth 

 exists at the posterior part of the jaw ; 19 rows of smooth 

 scales. S. 206 + 55. From Dalmatia to the Levant. 

 Above grey-brown, marked with black, and set off by 

 several ranges of broad dark spots. A cruciform spot 

 on the nape of the neck. 



The Fifth Family of Innocuous Snakes includes the 



