LÖNNBERG, TWO NEW SNAKES FROM LOWER CONGO. 5 



Prosymiia meleagris coiicolor n. subsp. 



Rostral very large and broad with a blunt horizontal edge ; 

 a single internasal, and a single praefrontaL which is plainty, 

 although narrowly, excluded from the eye by the prseocular 

 and the supraocular. Trontal large, more than half the width 

 of the head, a little shorter than the parietal measured along 

 its longest diameter; the antero-lateral angles of the f rontal 

 excluded from the eye by the supraocular which is in contact 

 as well with the prsefrontal as with the prseocular. Parietals 

 broad, their width being more than half their length. Loreal 

 ^much longer than deep. One prse- and two postoculars. Tem- 

 porals 1+2. Five upper labials, second and third en tering the 

 eye; only one pair of well developed chin shields in contact with 

 three lower labials. Behind the chin shields a träns verse series- 

 of three subequal enlarged scales. Scales 

 of body smooth in 17 rows. Ventrals 132, 

 subcåudals 32 +(the tip being broken); 

 anal entire. Uniform black above, dark 

 blackish grey below with paler edges 

 to the ventrals. 



From the hitherto described spe- pi^ 2.^ Pro.i/mna meleagris 



cies of the genus the new species from concolor n. subsp. double 

 Lower Congo is readily distinguished "^ " ^^^^' 



through the following characteristics compiled from the descrip- 

 tions in the literature: 



Prosymiia jani Bianconi 



has 17 rows of keeled scales, two praeoculars, six upper labials etc. 



Mozambique. 



P. suiidevallii (Smith) 



has two interna sals, and two superposed anterior temporals, 

 usually se ven (rarelv 8) upper labials etc. 



South Africa. 



P. froiitalis (Peters) 



has a narrow frontal which does not attain half the width of the 

 head; fourth and fifth labials entering the eye etc. 



Southwestern Africa. 



