INNOCUOUS SERPENTS. 169 



anterior frontal plate. The lips are much inflated, and 

 re-entrant ; the angle of the mouth is very ascendant. 

 We find usually long posterior maxillary teeth, often 

 grooved ; and the glands of the head are very large. 

 The skeleton is composed of very strong bones ; and the 

 cellules of the lungs are often prolonged on the trachea. 

 Most of them exhibit sombre tints, and arrive at a 

 large size. The Homalopsis have never been seen except 

 in the warm regions of Asia and America, where they 

 inhabit the fresh waters in small numbers, giving chase to 

 fishes and other aquatic animals. 



1. Homalopsis buccata. — Strongly characterized by a 

 head extremely thick and high, by the great number of 

 labial plates, by the small, feebly carinated scales, of 

 which 39 rows are reckoned. 



There exist small occipital plates, and an anterior 

 frontal, single on account of the disposition of the nasals, 

 which encroach on the summit of the muzzle. A circle 

 of little plates surrounds the eye. Four or five pairs of 

 converging geneials ; the rest of the throat covered with 

 scales ; posterior maxillary teeth grooved ; cheeks much 

 inflated. Above of an ochre-yellow, covered with large 

 blackish bands. A series of dark points runs along the 

 sides of the belly. Summit of the head ornamented with 

 streaks. S. 160 + 78. Form heavy; shape powerful. 

 Inhabits Java. 



2. Homalopsis Schneideri. — Of a less size, and a 

 form more lengthened than the preceding, which it re- 

 sembles in its profile ; but it has a head much more elon- 

 gated, and the summit covered with scales similar to those 

 on the trunk, so that there are no plates on the muzzle, 

 25 rows of carinated scales. Eyes directed upwards. 

 146 + 57. Inhabits Pondichery, Bengal, Java, Timor, 

 Amboina, and also New Guinea. 



3. Homalopsis decussata. — ^Of very small size; 19 

 rows of smooth scales ; tail very thick ; head small, of 

 the same diameter as the trunk, rounded at the extremity, 

 and covered above by 9 plates. Body marked by alter- 

 nate bands of reddish-brown and white ; this last tint 



p 



