448 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM VOL. 93 



specimens showing a variation of 184 to 194 in females, 183 to 193 in 

 males; the single count of 195 is not sexed. These may be 

 contrasted with 13 counts on specimens from the Tres Marias 

 Islands, which show a range from 192 to 197, sexed specimens showing 

 a variation of from 192 to 197 in males, 195 to 197 in females. Seven 

 of these counts (including the 197 S ) are from Boulenger (loc. cit.) 

 and may need verification. There is a distinct average difference be- 

 tween mainland and Tres Marias Islands specimens in this character, 

 however; only one female and one male from the mainland overlap 

 the entire Islands series. Accordingly it appears that the Islands 

 specimens represent a different race, which may be named — 



♦MASTICOPHIS FLAGELLUM VARIOLOSUS. new subspecies 



Holotype. — U. S. N. M. No. 24681, an adult male skin from Maria 

 Magdalena Island, Tres Marias Islands. 



Paratopes— Twelve, including U. S. N. M. Nos. 24680, 24682, topo- 

 types; L. M. Klauber Nos. 22650, 22685, 22715, Maria Madre Island; 

 and seven specimens in British Museum (Natural History) from 

 "Tres Marias Islands," collected by Forrer. 



Diagnosis. — As in M. f. striolatiis, except ventrals 192 to 197 in 

 males, 195 to 197 in females; lips not notably mottled in adults. 



Description of holotype. — Brownish olive above, this color extend- 

 ing to the "keel" on each side of the belly; belly and tail otherwise 

 immaculate, yellowish. All dorsal scales with a dark spot at the 

 posterior apex, smaller on anterior scales, larger and elongate on 

 median and posterior scales; caudal scales with two or three black 

 dots at tip, one on each scale pit. Head slightly reddish; sides of 

 head uniform brownish; lower labial border yellow 7 , not stippled; 

 median gular region suffused with light brown. 



Scale rows 17-17-13 ; ventrals 195 ; tail incomplete ; supralabials 8-8, 

 4th and 5th entering orbit; 9-9 infralabials; 2-2 preoculars, post- 

 oculars and temporals. 



Variation. — The paratypes are much like the type. The only devia- 

 tion in scutellation, except in ventral and caudal counts (given in the 

 accompanying table) is in number of infralabials; two have 9-10, 

 one has 10-?, and two 10-10. 



Remarks. — As stated above, the chief difference between the present 

 race and striolatus is in ventral count; there also appear to be a dif- 

 ference in the extent of mottling on the sides of the head ; there is none 

 in variolosus adults, while in striolatus the upper labials are promi- 

 nently mottled (cf. Ortenburger, 1928, pi. 25). 



