NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 223 



gion. No species of Dromicus has been kuown in North Ame- 

 rica, and the occurrence of this one on the extreme eastern coast, 

 and its very close affinity to a species {D. callilsemus, G osse) com- 

 mon in Jamaica, are circumstances suggestive of origin by car- 

 riage in floating driftwood on the current of the Gulf Stream. 



Habit moderately slender; tail 3.2 times in total length; head 

 distinct, elongate, oval. Scales very thin, without scale-pores, in 

 seventeen longitudinal series. Superior labials seven, third and 

 fourth in orbit; fifth higher than long, with sixth separated by a 

 narrow temporal from occipital ; seventh longer than high. Infe- 

 rior labials nine, four bounding geneials. Postgeneials longer than 

 pregeneials. Internasals nearly quadrate; prefrontals longer than 

 wide. Frontal, anterior width .T5 length; parietals rather elon- 

 gate. Nostril in prenasal, which is lower than postnasal; loreal 

 very small, high as long; sculars 1-2. Gastrosteges 126; uros- 

 teges 77. 



In D. callilsemus the frontal plate is very nearly as wide as 

 long, and the gastrosteges number 140 ; the coloration is also dif- 

 ferent. 



Color above, a rich golden brown, the scales of the two inferior 

 rows on each side broadly gold-edged, the color of the back com- 

 mencing on the third row. The ends of the scales of the vertebral 

 row are sometimes darker-tipped. Head dark brown, darkest 

 behind, with numerous but obscure paler vermiculations. Sides 

 of head paler, with a reddish-brown band from the rostral plate 

 through the eye to the middle of the last labial. Labials whitish, 

 with black dots on the posterior, in oblique rows. Below white, 

 lower labials sparsely black-dotted A pair of pale dots on the 

 common occipital suture. 



This, the first addition to the Ophidia of our Eastern States 

 made for some years, was discovered by Dr. Henry C. Yarrow, 

 near Fort Macon, on the coast of North Carolina. Near the same 

 time another new Ophidian came to hand, as follows: — 



CONTIA PYG^EA, Cope, sp. nov. 



In its generic features, this species may be thus described. The 

 dentition is complete, and the teeth of the maxillary bone are of 

 equal length. The scales are smooth and without pores, and the 

 anal plate is divided. The head-shields are normal ; the nasal, 

 usually entire in the genus, is in this species half divided by a 

 1871.] 



