AUSTRALIAN SXAKES. 41 



genus as the familiar Ringed Snake of Britain, and 

 has much tlie same habits ; it is known as the 



Fresh-Water Snake. 



Tropidoiiotics plcluratius, Sclilegel. 

 S. 15-17, V. 128-1G5, A.2, S.C. 52-82. 



This snake inhabits Eastern Australia, north of 

 the Clarence River. It is somewhat variable in color, 

 due both to individual j)eculiarity, and to seasonal 

 changes : while some examples are quite grey, others 

 are of a rich brown : all have, however, the belly 

 scales, salmon color, generally with red spots on the 

 sides. Three feet is its maximum size. 



Unlike the Sea Snakes, the members of this genus 

 are not specially adapted for living in water, nor are 

 they nearly so aquatic in habit as tlie venomous Water 

 Snakes of the next section : althongh splendid swimmers, 

 they are more often found on land, always however in 

 the neighbourhood of water. Their terrestrial habits 

 might be inferred from the position of their nostrils, 

 which are placed at the sides of the head, and not on 

 the top, as in the typical aquatic forms. 



Hooded Snake. 



Stegonotus cucuHatus, Dumeril and Bibron. 



S. 17, V. 19G-207, A.l, S.C. 7i]-'J0 pairs. 



Cape York ; length, 3 feet 7 inches. 



