CROCODILTANS, LIZARDS, AND SNAKES. 949 



This genus of burrowing snakes is analogous to Stenorhina in the 

 union of the nasal and prefrontal shields. The form of the muzzle and 

 inferior position of the mouth indicate affinity to ChionacUs. 



There are three species, which differ as follows: 



I. Rostral plates not separating interuasals. 



Postnasal not reaching preocular; two or three inferior labials reaching pre- 

 geneials; light, eacli scale with a black point C. stramineua Cope. 



II. Rostral plates separating internasals. 



Postnasals touching or approaching preocular; three labials reaching pre- 

 geueials ; cross- banded C. ephippicus Cope. 



Postnasal well removed from preocular; four or five labials reaching pregeneials; 

 cross-banded C fasciatus Cope. 



CHILOMENISCUS STRAMINEUS Cope. 



Chilomeniscus stramineua Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, p. 339; Check- 

 list N. Amer. Batr. Rept., 1875, p. 35; Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XIV, 1892, p. 

 594.— BouLEXGER, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., II, 1894, p. 273. 



Chilomeniscus cinctus Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, p. 303. 



Carphophis straminea Garman, N. Amer. Rept., 1883, p. 99. 



Carpliophis cincta Garman, N. Amer. Rept., 1883, p. 100. 



Scales in thirteen rows, all wide and obtuse, four rows on each side, 

 wider than long. Rostral plate extensively recurved on the superior 

 surface of the muzzle, its 

 posterior border, present- 

 ing an obtuse angle, which 

 does not reach the pre- 

 frontals. Internasals and 

 prefrontal median suture 

 short; frontal wide, but 

 not as wide as long, augu- 

 late in front, more strongly 

 angulate behind. Each 

 parietal but little if any 

 larger than the frontal. 



Prefr#ntal in considerable contact with second superior labial. Seven 

 superior labials all longer than high, except the first. Temporals 1-1, 

 both deeper than long. Eyes and superciliary plates very small. Tail 

 short and conical. 



Common suture of the prefrontals but half the length of their sutures 

 with the frontal. Vertical presenting an obtuse angle anteriorly; 

 the superciliary sutures converging posteriorly; posterior angle less 

 than a right angle. Parietals short, their common suture scarcely longer 

 than the prefrontal suture of the frontal. Superior labials seven, the 

 second reaching the minute preocular, or should that plate be absent, 

 as will probably occur occasionally, forming with the third and fourth 

 the inferior border of the orbit. Inferior labials eight, fifth the largest. 

 Geneials two pairs, posterior half the length of the anterior. Tem- 

 porals 3-3; a larger central plate opposite the occipital suture. Scales 



Fig. 242. 

 Chilomeniscus stramineus Cope. 



:■: 1.3. 



Cape St. Lucas, Lower California. 



Cat. No. 46-J, U.S.N. M. 



