REPTILES FROM THE HERBERT RIVER, QUEENSLAND. 433 



well down the tail, with acute, very much compressed triangular 

 spines ; the scales of the legs are keeled and those of the tail very 

 strongly so ; occasionally bands of larger keeled scales cross the tail 

 at irregular intervals. The scales of the belly are larger and more 

 strongly keeled than those of the back. 



There are no head shields, excepting the upper and lower 

 rostrals, and a long low series of upper and lower labials. 



Length of head and body 6 inches, length of tail 1 2 inches. 



In every other species of Tiaris I have seen, the dorsal crest is 

 formed of erect triangular compressed scales, in the present species 

 the armature on the occipital and dorsal ridges is distinctly bony. 



The Ophidians of the collection number seven. 



1. Acanothophis Antarctica or Death Adder. 



This snake has been found in all parts of Australia, but I should 

 say that the East Coast of New South Wales is its most common 

 habitat. 



2. Morelia Variegata. The Carpet Snake of the Colonists. 



It is found in all parts of Australia, but is certainly least 

 abundant in Eastern New South Wales. It seems to take the 

 place of the Diamond Snake (Morelia sjrilota) in the tropical 

 Queensland brushes and the arid deserts of Central Australia. 

 3. Vermicella annulata. 



A venomous snake, but little deadly. It is found in all 

 parts of this country. 



4. Tropidonotus picturatus. 

 Only a small and injured specimen, which may probably be 

 another species of the genus. 



The three following species are undoubtedly new. 



5. Tropidonotus angusticeps. n. sp. 

 Scales in fifteen rows. 



Abdominal plates 130 



Anal plates 2 



Sub-caudals 40/40 



Total length 28J inches 



Length of tail 5 inches 



