476 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM 



TANTILLA PHRENITICA Smith 



Tantilla- phrcnitica Smith, Zoologica, vol. 27, p. 39, 1942. 



Seven specimens are in the collection, all from Cuautlapan, Vera- 

 cruz (Nos. 110379-85). 



The upper and lower labials are 7-7 in all except one, which has 

 6-7 lower labials; preoculars 1-1, postoculars 2-2 in all. Collar in- 

 volves tips of parietals in four, borders them in three; the first 

 infralabials are separated medially in all. 



The Museum has one other Mexican specimen, from Totontepec, 

 Oaxaca (No. 20835), and a specimen from Guatemala (No. 38134). 



Table 35. — Variation in Tantilla phrenitica 



TANTILLA RUBRA Cope 



Eight specimens, one from 22 km. north of Tehuacan, Puebla (No. 

 110387), the others from the vicinity of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca (Nos. 

 110388-94). The Tehuacan specimen was found inside a large mound 

 of Mammillaria cactus, but already dead, stiffened, and slightly dis- 

 colored. It seemed to have no injury. The Tehuantepec specimens 

 were found under piles of earth, brush, and leaves in banana patches. 

 The largest specimen (No. 110388) measures 353 mm. in total length 

 (tip of tail missing). 



The upper and lower labials are 7-7 in all, the preoculars 1-1, post- 

 oculars 2-2. The first infralabials are in contact medially, and the 

 nuchal collar involves the tips of the parietals in all. 



Table 36. — Variation in Tantilla rubra 



