224 L. STEJNEGER. 



The collector states that he also observed this species on 

 the Pescadores Islands. It is sometimes found thrown up on 

 the beach. 



17. 3IicrocephcdopJiis melanocephalus (Gray). 



A large specimen from the Pescadores (No. 4) is referred to 

 this species rather than to 31. pacificus (Boulenger) though agree- 

 ing exactly with the latter in scale formula, viz., 27 scales round 

 neck, 37 round body; 301 ventrals; 1 large temporal; 1 pre- 

 ocular and 2 postoculars; 3 supralabials entering eye. The scale 

 formula of M. melanocephalus as defined by Boulenger and modified 

 by undoubted specimens examined by me is very similar, how- 

 ever, viz., 25-27 scales round the neck, 35 round the body ; 

 312-329 ventrals; 1 large temporal; 1 preocular; 1 or 2 post- 

 oculars ; 2 or 3 supralabials entering eye, consequently differing so 

 slightly that the additional 2 scale rows round the body and the 

 somewhat fewer ventrals can have but little weight. Moreover, 

 in the specimen before us the rostral is broader than high and 

 not '* as deep as broad," the character assigned to 31. pacificus, 

 while the proportions of the tail agree better with those of 31. me- 

 lanocephalus, judging from Boulenger's figure of 3Ï. pacificus (Cat. 

 Snakes, Br. Mus., iii, pi. xii, fig. 2), in which it appears to be 

 longer and lower. The chief difierence from the other speci- 

 mens of 31. melanocephalus are those of color and carination, 

 since in the Pescadores specimen the head is not black, but 

 reddish brown, while on the body the black cross-bars extend 

 only halfway down the sides, the scales being, moreover, fur- 

 nished with strong, often serrated keels. Both of these characters, 

 however, are most likely due to the greater size of this 

 specimen. 



