SCOTOPHIS. 77 



General aspect that of Ophiholus eximius, from which its larger eyes 

 and head, carinated scales, &c. at once distinguish it. Ground- 

 color ash-gray. A series of 44 dorsal blotches, of which 12 are on 

 the tail. These blotches are dark chocolate-brown, with obsolete 

 black margins. They are included between the 6th and 7th row on 

 each side, and about six scales long. They are very regular in shape, 

 longitudinally quadrate, rather wider transversely in the middle, and 

 with the corners slightly produced longitudinally. The gray inter- 

 vals are thus not quite rectilinear, rather elliptical, but of the same 

 width throughout. On the 2d, 3d, 4th, and 6th lateral rows is a 

 second series of similar blotches, more or less elongated, especially 

 anteriorly. On the side of the neck, indeed, the 'blotches are con- 

 fluent into very narrow distinct stripes. A third series of square 

 blotches on the side of the abdomen, involving the 1st and 2d lateral 

 rows. Rest of belly yellowish white, with black blotches; anterior 

 eighth immaculate. A black stripe from the posterior part of the 

 orbit to the angle of the mouth, which it reaches on the anterior 

 extremity of the last labial. A vertical line beneath the eye, and 

 the edges of the labials in front also black. Some blotching on the 

 top of the head, which is too indistinct to define. 



Compared with S. vulpinus the eyes are larger, the vertical plate 

 longer, the nostrils more anterior, the carination more obsolete. 

 Body more elongatecf. Abdominal scutellai more numerous. Spots 

 longitudinal, not transverse. Scales shorter, broader, more obtusely 

 angular. 



This species is closely allied to S. f/uttafus, but is quite distinct. 

 Its full characters can only be seen in larger specimens, which may 

 have been confounded with S. (juttatus. Very probably some of the 

 numerous synonyms assigned to the latter species may belong here, 

 but in the want of accurate descriptions, the only course left is to 

 give a new name. 



Anderson, S. C. 239+1. 81. 25. 16J. 4f. Miss C. Paine. 



5. Scotopllis laetus, B. & G. — Similar to S. confinis, but posterior 

 frontals larger. Vertical plate longer than broad. Dorsal rows 29. Ab- 

 dominal scutellse 227. Blotches fewer. 



This species bears a close resemblance to *S'. confinu, and its cha- 

 racters may be best given by comparison with the latter. It difi"ers 

 therefore in the greater number of dorsal rows, 29 instead of 25. 



