Cope.] ^o4: [April 17, 



Hyla MiOTYMPAxmr Cope. This species was in the water at the time of 



my visit (March). In daylight its color is bright green. 

 Rana halecina Kalm. 



Lacertilia. 

 SCELOPORUS MicROLEPiDOTus Wiegm. 

 Barissia imbricata Wiegm. 

 Oligosoma gemmingeri Cope. Indian name, Cholumpipi. 



Ophidia. 

 Rhabdosoma mutitorques, sp. nov. 



Scales all smooth, in seventeen longitudinal series. One postocular ; 

 inferior labial of first pair in contact in front of pregeneials, which are 

 twice as long as postgeneials. Internasals one-fourth size of prefrontals. 

 Frontal wider than long, anterior border gently convex. Parietals as 

 long as prefrontal and frontal together. Rostral plate not visible from 

 above. Superior labials six, all higher than long, except fifth, which is 

 as high as long, and the sixth, which is longer than high. The fifth is 

 separated by one, and the sixth by two temporals from the parietal. The 

 eye and the superciliary plate are quite small. Seven inferior labials, 

 fourth largest and in contact with postgeneials. Gastrosteges 173 ; anal 

 entire ; urosteges 24. 



Color plum-brown, the scales of three or four lateral rows slightly pale 

 on the edges. In old specimens the gastrosteges are similarly colored 

 with pale edges, but in younger specimens, there are at intervals pale 

 spots, and the throat and chin are pale, probably pale yellow in life. In 

 young specimens a yellow band crosses from one angle of the mouth to 

 the other, involving the anterior three-quarters of the parietal plates. In 

 larger specimens this is indistinct, and in a large specimen (455 mm.) the 

 band has disappeared. 



Dimensions of a medium sized specimen : total length M. .338 ; to can- 

 thus oris, .008 ; of tail, .051. Dimensions of the largest specimen : total 

 length, .455 ; to canthus oris, .009 ; of tail, .045. 



I owe six specimens of this species, representing different ages, to my 

 friend Dr. Santiago Bernad. They are all from the high land about 

 Zacualtipan. 



This species represents the extensive genus Rhabdosoma D. «& B., of 

 ■which I know eight species as found within the limits of Mexico and 

 Central America, and as many from more southern parts of the neo- 

 tropical realm. This genus I propose to retain as distinct from the Ela- 

 poidis of Boie (Catastoma and Geophis of Wagler), on account of the 

 smooth scales. In the latter they are more or less carinate. There are 

 five species of Elapoidis in the neotropical region north of Darien. Dif- 

 fering from both of these in its divided anal scutum, is the genus Adelphi- 

 cus of Jan. This name of Jan has priority over Rhegnops Cope, which 

 is identical. The Rhabdosoma of Bocourt is not the same, as I have else- 



