CROCODILIANS, LIZARDS, AND SNAKES. 



985 



stoat. It is very broad and high i^osteiiorly, and tapers regularly to 

 the snout, which is rather narrow, elongated, and pointed. Snout 

 elevated, rostral ])late as high as wide, subpentagonal, and with the 

 elongated apex pointed. Loreal nearly as high as long. Internasals 

 triangular, elongated, l^^rontal very narrow, not widening anteriorly, 

 the posterior point very obtuse. Superciliaries proportionally wide, 

 and occipitals small. There are indifferently one or two preorbitals 

 and two large postorbitals, rarely three. Upper labials large, sixth 

 and seventh largest, eighth (the last) smaller. Inferior labials ten, 

 sixth longest. 



The dorsal rows are nineteen, all carinated, the outer row very 

 slightly. The scales of the first row are much the largest; all the rest 

 about equal. 



Fig. 259. 



Natkix valida vALiDA Kennicott. 



= 1. 



La Paz, Lower California. 



C:il. So. 12B49, IT.S.N'.M. 



The color aoove is entirely uniform light brownish ash (clay color 

 beneath epidermis), with about every alternate scale on the fourth and 

 fifth rows marked with black on each side near its base. Posteriorly 

 the scales of the first row are faintly marked with black at their bases. 

 These black markings are not prominent and oidy perceptible upon 

 close examination. The head, including the upper labials and rostral, 

 has more of an olivaceous cast. The abdomen is entirely uniform ])ale 

 grayish yellow, the tips of the scutelliB being, however, tinged with the 

 ashy brown color of the back. 



Cat. Nos. 



Gastrosteges. I'roatojro.s. Length. Tail. 

 mm. mm. 



4650 . 

 4683. 



157+1. 

 145 + 1. 



81. 



78. 



937. 250. 



