THE HERPETOLOGY OF HISPANIOLA 



301 



below the second supralabials lies a transverse row of two scales (the 

 postgeneials) ; no median dorsal groove ; 21 1 rings on the body and 15 on 

 the tail ; the segments of each ring longer than broad, except the two 

 median ventral ones, which are slightly broader than long and between 

 which the sutures are less deep than elsewhere; 15 segments above the 

 lateral line and 22 below it; 10 anal shields; four preanal pores. 



Dimensions: Head and body, 199 mm. ; tail, 16 mm. ; greatest diam- 

 eter of body, 8 mm. ; snout to posterior border of occipital shield, 8 mm. 



Color (in alcohol) : Light clay color above ; below buff ; anus white ; 

 each segment with a darker center. 



Variations. — The nmnber of body and tail rings varies little in this 

 species, the limit being 203 to 216 body rings, and 13 to 16 tail rings. 

 The scales above the lateral line may be in 14, 15, 16, or 18 rows; 



Figure 84. — Amphishaena innocens: a. Top of head; b, side of head; c, chin; d, tail. 

 U.S.N.M. No. 60620, from Moron, Haiti. Twice natural size. 



below it in 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 24 rows. The anal plates are subject 

 to some variation; in one example. No. 59212, the scales are wide 

 and there are but sLx; in the described specunen, No. 60620, there are 

 10 straplike scales; m yet another the scale on each side of the median 

 pair has divided across and the posterior portion has again divided 

 lengthwise, so that there are eight scales counting across the posterior 

 portion and but six anteriorly. In one of my examples there are three 

 postgeneials touching the mental, the central one being only narrowly 

 in contact however. In No. 69440 this same condition is approached, 

 although the median scale does not enter quite far enough into the 

 wedge to touch the mental. 



Relationships. — The distinctions between this species and A. caeca 

 of Puerto Rico have been so adequately defined by Dr. Stejneger that 

 no repetition of them is needed here. 



Specimens examined. — As listed in table 55. 



