INNOCUOUS SERPENTS. 145 



1 1 . Coluber quadrivirgatus, also from Japan, and very 

 near the preceding species, from which it is distinguished by 

 a more conical and less blunt head, covered with plates more 

 elongated, by a less vigorous body, surrounded with 19 rows 

 of scales only, and ornamented with 4 dorsal rays, distinct 

 in the adult ; it is of a less strong make than the last, and 

 has 200 + 87 scuta. The tints so vary, that some indi- 

 viduals are found whollv black. 



12. Coluber DiADEMA. Scales carinated. S. 230 + 60; 

 colour earth-brown ; a black band between the eyes. From 

 India. 



13. Coluber miniatus, from the Isle of France. Habit 

 thin ; tail extremely slender ; hence the great number of 

 its scuta which amount to 199 + 145 ; 25 rows of smooth 

 lozenge-formed scales ; ochre-yellow on the fore parts ; a 

 tint which passes on the posterior parts into minium-red 

 and to purple, varied with yellow marblings. 



14. Coluber variabilis, has the body annulated and 

 spotted with black and white, or yellow ; it has the body 

 very slim, the trunk very compressed, the abdomen 

 angular, and the back carinated. The lozenge-formed 

 scales are very large, carinated, and disposed in 15 rows. 

 S. 204+ 100 ; teeth long and sharp ; there is a small ac- 

 cessory lung. This species resembles certain tree-snakes 

 of the genus Dipsas, particularly D. Dendrophila. Inhabits 

 the woods of Surinam and Brazil. 



15. Coluber plumbeus is very recognisable by its uni- 

 form system of colour ; lead-coloured above, yellowish be- 

 low. It is further distinguished by the presence of a long, 

 grooved, posterior tooth, by its heavy and squat form, by 

 a broad head, thick, and rounded ; and by its physiognomy 

 resembling that of certain Homalopsis. It has a body 

 almost cylindrical ; a short and conical tail ; scales almost 

 square, with smooth and shinning surfaces, disposed in 19 

 rows. S. 240 + 68. It is found the same in Brazil and 

 in Surinam. 



16. Coluber Poecilostoma. — A beautiful species of 

 large size, rare in Surinam, but comes also from Brazil ; 

 distinguished by its very thick head, massive and broad, 

 and covered with very wide plates ; by its lanceolate, cari- 



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