590 NORTH AMERICAN SNAKES COPE. 



postparietals, all scale like. Medial row of scales exteudiug over the 



head to the rostral. Nostrils lateral, oblong, situated between the uasal 



and fronto- uasal. Eyes covered by coutiiuioiis epidermis. 



This geuas is found throughout tropical Africa aud America, aud it 



embraces a considerable number of species in all the fauual regions of 



the latter. These arc of subterranean habits, which are little known. 



Some of them are said to inhabit ants' nests. One species is known 



from India. 



Glauconia dulcis Bd., Gird. 



Bena dulcis Bd. & Girard, Catal. Serp. N. A., 1853, p. 142. Stenostoma dulce Peters Mon- 

 atsber., Berliu Akad., Wis., 1857, p. 402; Cope, Proc. Academy Pliila., 18G1, p. 

 305; Jan. Icon., Geu. Opb. i, vol. 2, Fij^. 5. Stenostoma rubelliim Gariiiau, Me- 

 moirs Mus. Comp. Zoology, Cambridge, viii, 1883, p. 130; teste Stejneger. 



This species ranges from central Texas to the Ked Kiver on the east 

 to New Mexico, inclusive, on the west, and southward along the Eio 

 Grande in Texas as far as San Antonio. 



REN A Baird, Girard. 



Cat. Rep. N. A., Pt. i, Serpents, 1853, p. 142; Cope, Proc. Amer. PUilo. Soc, 1880, p. 

 481. CatodonDniu. &Bibron, Er. Gen., vi, p. 318, 1844, not of Artedi. Siagonodon 

 Peters, Gesselsch. Naturforscli. Freundc, Berliu, 1881, p. 71. 



Similar to Stenostoma, but the superciliary scales are absent. 



Rena humilis Bd., Gird. 



Cat. Rep. N. Am., i, Serpents, p. 143. Stenostoma khmile Co]}e, Proc. Acad. Phila., 

 1861, p. 305 ; Cbeck List, Batr. & Rep. N. A-, 1875, p. 44. 



Lower California, southern Califoruin, and southern Arizona. 



II.— ASINBA. 



BOID.E. 



The only genus of Boidjie which is known to enter the boundaries of 

 the Nearctic Realm is Lichanura. It is possible that the Boa imperator 

 has been seen in the valley of the Lower Eio Grande, but of this posi- 

 tive evidence is as yet wanting. This species, the Epicrates angulifer 

 of Cuba, and the Unf/ualia pardalis of Jamaica are occasionally intro- 

 duced into the country in bunches of bananas. The serpent winds itself 

 tightly around the stem, and is concealed from view until the i'ruit is 

 beiug removed. Unless of large size, these snakes are harmless. 



LICHANURA Cope. 



Proc. Acad. Phila., 18i)l, p. 304 ; Bull. U. S. Nat. Mns., 32, 1887, p. 50. 



General form abbreviated and stout; tail short, slightly prehensile, 

 obtuse at the extremity. Head slightly distinct; eye small, pupil ver- 

 tical. Nostril between two plates, the anterior in contact with that of 

 the opposite side upon the median line. Frontonasal suture extensive. 



