Zootogy.l 



NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. 



[Beptihs. 



across the neck, 23 across the middle, and 17 over base of tail. The ventral scales 

 are also more numerous, being' from 232 to 237, the anal one being- undivided, while 

 the subcaudals are only 61 to 66. Color : dark-brown above, j-ellowisb-gTej' below, 

 the ventral scales edged and blotched with dark-g'rey; one specimen with the head 

 sooty-black g-radually passing- into blackish-brown on the body and tail. The 

 g-eneral size is larger than the Common Brown Snake. 



This large well-marked species is only found in the warmer 

 northern parts of the colony. It is very easily distinguished from 

 the Common Brown Snake {D. sicperciliosa) by the greater number 

 of rows of scales across the back, and their obviously much smaller 

 size and greater number, particularly across the neck. The two 

 type specimens in the Museum have the following dimensions and 

 numbers of scales : — 



Locality, junction of Murray and Darhng. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 23. — Fig. 2, under side of head and neck, natural size, of large dark specimen. 

 Fig. 2a, upper side of head of same specimen, showing the long posterior frontals, the broad- 

 fronted, nearly pentagonal vertex plate, and the narrow occipital plates converging to the 

 wedge-shaped posterior end. Fig. 3, head of smaller specimen, natural size, showing also the 

 long posterior frontals, broad-fronted pentagonal vertex plate, and wedge-shaped posterior nar- 

 rowing of the occipitals ; as well as the smaller and more numerous scales when compared with 

 fig. Ic, showing head, of nearly the same size, of D. superciliosa. Fig. 3a, under side of base of 

 tail of same specimen, natural size, showing the undivided anal plate. 



Plate 23, Fig. 4. 



DIEMENIA ASPIDORHYNCHA (McCor). 



The Shield-fronted Brown Snake. 



Description. — General appearance of D. svperciliosa, but the head narrower, 

 and with the front of the muzzle truncated instead of being- rounded ; and with a very 

 much larger rostral plate extending backwards over the top of the head more than 



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