REPTILIA. 141 



FAMILY, OLIGODONTID.^. 



4. Rhyncocalaiiiiis melanocephahis. Giinther. P. Z. S., 1864, p. 491. 



Plate XVI., Fig. i. 



The new genus, Rhyncocalainus, was established by Dr. Giinther 

 (P. Z. S., 1864, p. 491), for the reception of this species, brought by me 

 from the neighbourhood of Lake Huleh. It has since been found by Dr. 

 Lortet, both near Jericho and near the Lake of Gennesaret. It thus in- 

 habits the whole Jordan valley. The Family in the Old World is repre- 

 sented by over fifty species, inhabiting South-eastern Asia and its islands. 

 Only one species is found as far west as Persia. 



FAMILY, COLUBRID^. 



5. Ablabcs coronella. (Schlegel. Essai. s. 1. phys. de Serp., Bnd. 2, 

 s. 48.) Lortet. Rept. de Syrie, pi. xix., fig. 3. 



This prettily marked Snake is common in every part of the country ; 

 found in Lebanon, Hermon, Huleh, Gennesaret, Tyre, and Nablus. 

 It lives under stones, and is most rapid in its movements. It is widely 

 distributed on the eastern Mediterranean shores. 



6. Ablates modcstus. (Martin. P. Z. S., 1838, p. 82) = Eircnis 

 rothii. Jan. 



Found throughout Galilee, and in Lebanon and Hermon. It is of a 

 brilliant yellow colour, with bluish metallic sheen on the back, which 

 disappears after death. Eircnis rothii, Jan., Dr. Giinther does not con- 

 sider specifically distinct. 



This species has been found in Syria, the Caucasus, Mesopotamia and 

 Persia. 



7. Ablabes fasciatus. (Jan. Arch. Zool. Genov. ii., p. 260.) 



This Snake, originally described from Palestine, is also found in Persia. 

 It inhabits dry stony places on the hills, and is not common. I am not aware 

 of specimens having been procured in other countries, though it doubtless 

 will be found in the intervening regions of Syria and Mesopotamia. 



