INNOCUOUS SERPENTS. 135 



more clumsy than in the two preceding species. Above 

 varied with brown of two shades ; below deep yellow, 

 marked with black square spots ; scales bordered with 

 black, or with white. R. of scales, 17. S. 160 4- SO. 



6. CoRONELLA Baliodeira, the only species of the genus 

 Coronella known in Malayan Asia, was discovered in Java 

 and Simiatra. Of a size less robust than most of the 

 other species, it approaches in its form the Calamars ; but 

 its eyes are very large, and its head high. Above of a 

 viAdd brov^Ti, relieved by white ocellated spots ; below 

 yeUowish. S. 128+68. R. of scales, 13. 



Europe only produces a single species, 



7. Coronella L^vis, which prefers dry situations to 

 low and swampy places ; it is of a very shining brown 

 bay, ornamented with chequered, irregular patches of 

 black, which form a very characteristic pattern on the 

 head : below it is yellowish, marked with square black 

 spots. S. 175 + 55 ; R. of scales, 21. The young of this 

 species are hatched in the belly of their mother. The 

 southern countries of Europe produce a climatal variety, 

 distinguished by its more vivid tints. 



8. Coronella Chilensis (the Tachymenes of Wieg- 

 mann) resembles that of Europe, but its head is more co- 

 nical, and is covered by smaller plates ; its tail is shorter, 

 and the upper parts present four deep-coloured rays, ex- 

 . tending from the occiput, whilst we find below several rows 

 of blackish marks, often well defined. S. 158 + 46. R. S. 

 19. 



The four following species are found at the Cape, and 

 differ from the preceding species in several respects. 



9. Coronella rhombeata recalls, by its general organi- 

 zation, the European species, although it approaches by 

 its elongated form, the Psammophis. Its head is small, 

 conical, and terminated by a straight rostral, which is pro- 

 longed on the top of the muzzle ; the other plates of this 

 part are narrow, and the occipitals short. A grooved pos- 

 terior tooth is observed in the jaws. The yellowish-brown 

 of the upper parts is ornamented with three or four rows 

 of ocellated spots of a lozenge form. S. 155 -f- 72. R. S. 



17. 



