184 ON THE PHYSIOGNOMY OF SERPENTS. 



shaped spots on the back, a broad angular mark on the 

 head. Observed at the Cape, and on the Gold Coast. 



8. Naja lubrica.. — Distmguishable by its body en- 

 circled by black and red rings. Rostral plate very broad, 

 and advancing far on the top of the muzzle. Size about 

 two feet. 19 to 21 rows of smooth scales. S. 150 + 24. 

 From the Cape. 



9. JSTaja Elafs. — Country unknown ; of a very large 

 size. Intermediate between the Naja and the Elaps. 

 Form very powerful. Head distinct from the neck, which 

 is not dilatable. Posterior frontal and occipital plates 

 much developed. Labial ])latc just before the last carried 

 up toward the temporal regions. Eyes very small. S. 

 183 + 41. 15 rows of smootli lozenge-formed scales, of 

 an ochre-yellow, M'ith brown-marrone centres. 



10. Naja curt a. — Form extremely clumsy ; pupil of 

 the eye a little elongated vertically ; tail very short and 

 thick ; 19 rows of smooth scales ; superciliary plates a 

 little salient ; head very wide ; cheeks projecting ; of an 

 uniform olive-green more pale on the lower parts. The 

 native coimtry New Holland. 



The Second Family of Venomous Serpents comprehends 

 the Sea-Snakes, all of which I have united in the genus 



IIYDROPHIS. 



They are easily distinguished from all other Ophidians 

 by their very broad tail, elevated in a vertical direction in 

 the form of an oar. Their head is small, of the same 

 diameter as the trunk, and covered by plates, as in 

 most serpents, but with this difference, that the nasals, 

 rising to the summit of the muzzle, replace the anterior 

 frontals, which are wanting ; the nostrils consequently 

 are entirely vertical, have an orbicular form, and are 

 capable of being shut by means of a valve. The lips 

 have re-entering edges, so that the mouth may be closed 

 hermetically. The eye is small and the pupil orbi- 

 cular ; the fangs are small, and always followed by 

 several solid delicate teeth. The trunk diminishes con- 



