DIADOPHIS. 



113 



labials 8 ; 7tli the largest, 4th and 5th forming the lower part of 

 the orbit. Lower labials 8 ; 5th the largest. Two pairs of mental 

 scutellac, extremity of the posterior pair extending beyond the 5th 

 lower labial. 



Body slender, subcylindrical ; tail tapering. Scales subelliptical ; 

 outer row but slightly larger. Occipital ring of the width of two 

 scales, sometimes narrower. Upper labials yellowish, like the lower 

 jaw and inferior surface of head and abdomen. A series of dark sub- 

 triangular spots along the lateral margins of the scutellas, and in con- 

 tact with the dark color of the flanks. Abdomen either unicolor or 

 provided with series of similar dark spots along its middle region, from 

 the anterior third of the body to near the anus. The spots some- 

 times elongate transversely in the shape of bars across the abdomen. 



A specimen from Anderson, S. C, exhibits a somewhat slenderer 

 head, and a narrower and more elongated vertical plate. 

 A7iderso7i, S. C. 155+1. 44. 15. 14J. 2i Miss C Paine. 



Another very young specimen from Mississippi has a shorter head, 

 and a vertical plate proportionally much broader and shorter. 

 Mississippi. — — 15. 5. H. Dr. B. F. Shumard. 



B. An occipital ring. Eye above the M and ith labials. 

 sal scales in 15 rows. 



Dor- 



2. Diadopbis amabilis, B. & G.— Body above deep blackish 

 brown ; beneath yellowish white, with crowded small black spots. Occipital 

 ring narrow. Dorsal scales in 15 rows. 



Head, body, and tail very slender; head flattened above; body 

 subcylindrical; tail subconical and tapering into a point. Vertical 



