AUSTRALIAN SXAIvES. 69 



Brown Sea Snake 



Aipysurus Icevis, Lacepede. 



S. 21-25, V. 137-162. 



Length, 5 feet 9 inches. 



Southern Sea Snake. 



Aijyysurus australis, Sauvage. 



S. 19, V. 146-166. 



Length, 3 feet 3 inches. 



Although still possessing large ventral plates, the 

 members of this genus have the nostrils placed on the 

 upper surface of the snout, indicating their more aquatic 

 habit. As they are never known voluntarily to leave 

 the water, the use of large ventral plates is not apparent, 

 and can only be explained by surmising that sea snakes 

 are descended from land snakes, and that the members 

 of this genus have taken to the water later than those 

 which follow. In the next genera the ventrals are 

 very small, but still distinct. 



Distira stoJcesii, Gray. 



S. 48-57, V. 230-267. 



Length, 5 feet 



Distira major, Shaw. 

 S, 36-41, y. 200-236. 

 Length, 3 feet 6 inches. 



