LÖNNBERG, TWO NEW SNAKES FROM LOWER CONGO. 3 



The hypapophyses of the vertebral column are ver}^ large 

 and broad. 



A considerable number of species of this genus have al- 

 ready been described, and not less than 7 of these have been 

 found at some place or other in West Africa. It appeared there- 

 fore quite stränge that the present specimen could not be iden- 

 tified with any of the known forms, but this was impossible, 

 and finalh^ to make sure about the differences I compiled the 

 following list of the species hitherto described, together with 

 the characteristics by which each of them differs from the 

 snake from Lower Congo. It may be found from this that 

 the snake now named differs in so many respects from every 

 other member of the genus that it cannot possibly be united 

 with an}^ of them. 



Melielya (Simoceplialus) capeiisis (Smith). 



Rostral just visible from above; internasals two thirds the 

 length of the prsefrontals, frontal slightly shorter than the 

 parietals as long as its distance from the rostral or the end 

 of snout. 



From South Africa to Nyassaland, Beira and Gaboon. 



M. (S.) giiirali (Moquard). 



Frontal as long as the prsef rontals: third, fourth and fifth 

 labial entering the e^^e; five lower labials in contact with the 

 anterior chin shields; ventrals 248 — 255; subcaudals 60 — 70. 

 West Africa (Cameroons to Loango). 



M. (S.) poeiisis (Smith). 



Frontal as long as its distance from the rostral; five lower 

 labials in contact with the anterior chin shields, secondary keels 

 of scales feebly marked or absent; ventrals 240 — 256; sub- 

 caudals 75 — 124. 



West Africa to Ruwenzori. 



M. (S.) iiyassae Gthr. 



Frontal as long as its distance from the rostral; loreal 

 longer than deep; one postocular; supraocular much narrower 



