CROCODILIANS, LIZARDS, AND SNAKES. 1147 



wlii(;li permits the contact of the ])()Stnasjil and tbe superior i)rc()cular. 

 There are two small scales between it and tbe labials, and no scales 

 between the circumfossal scale and the hibials. One row below orbit 

 in front, and two rows behind the fifth superior labial. Parietals 

 broadly rounded, rather larger than superciliaries. The frontal is 

 narrower than the superciliaries, and does not extend so far posteriorly. 

 Its posterior portion contracts rather abruptly to the median angle. 

 Four or five rows of temporal scales, which are smooth. Scales of body 

 in twenty-five rows, of which the first is smooth and the second 

 nearly so. 



The ground color above is brown; the blotches are deep chestnut- 

 brown blackish externally, and with a yellowish white margin. The 

 dorsal blotches are twenty-four in number from the head to the region 

 opposite the anus, most of which are transversely and irregularly 

 oblong, anteriorly and posteriorly emarginated, less so, however, pos- 

 teriorly; eight are subcircular. Five or six exist on the tail from the 

 anus to its tip, extending on the sides, the last two forming sometimes 

 a complete ring. The next series on either side is composed of small 

 blotches, but as intensely colored as in the other series. They alternate 

 with the dorsal ones. They have no regularity either in outline or posi- 

 tion. The second lateral row is composed of the largest lateral blotches. 

 They are transversely oblong or oval on the second, third, fourth, fifth, 

 and sixth rows of scales, and opposite the blotches of the dorsal series; 

 conse(iuently alternating with the third series above. The first lateral 

 series again is composed of blotches intermediate in size between those 

 of the third and second series; they occupy the first anfl second rows of 

 scales, and extend somewhat to the abdominal scutelhe, and alternat- 

 ing with the adjoining series. Two undulated vittai extend from the 

 supraorbital plates along the neck to the first dorsal blotch, and often 

 confluent with the latter. A linear vitta margined with yellowish 

 white extends from the posterior edge of the eye to the sides of the 

 neck; the inferior yellow margin is the broadest, and passes from the pit 

 close to the angle of the mouth, turning forward to the middle of the 

 lower jaw, inclosing a seraielliptical brown patch. Two elongated 

 yellowish spots may be observed diverging from both sides of the pit 

 to the lip. The cephalic plates are deep chestnut brown; a transverse 

 light-brown band extends across the head from one orbit to the other. 



The color underneath is blackish brown, intermingled with yellowish. 



Cat. Nos. Scales. Upper labials. Gastrostegos. Urostegos. Length. Tail. 



mm. tnin. 



522' 25. 12. 143. 28. 810. 106. 



545 25. 11. 135. 27. 



.12752 25. 11. 137. 28. 



The rattle in this species is relatively larger than in the S. miliarius, 

 and has not the acuminate form seen in that snake. The largest 



' Rattle with seven joints. 



