690 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1902. 



tact, small, .sliglitl}' broader than long', about twice as large as the 

 adjoining shield on each side just behind the supraocular; nasal 

 divided, in contact with first and second supralabials; loreal long, 

 twice as long as high, in contact with nasal, anterior prefrontals, 

 small canthal shield, preocular, and second, third, and fourth supra- 

 labials; two preoculars, the upper much the larger and with the upper 

 posterior angle between eye and supraocular (abnormally) detached; 

 sixth supralabial only reaching eye, the seventh being separated from 

 the eye by the lower postocular; twelve supralabials; no labial pits; 

 four postoculars, the lower one on the left side with the anterior 

 portion (abnormally) detached; anterior tempoi-als small, scalelike, 

 followed Iw several larger shields; scales in 39 rows round the body; 

 ventrals 265; anal entire; subcaudals 57 (tail probably mutilated). 



IhmctiKimif:. 



vim. 



.Snout to tip of tail 1, 900 



Vent to tip of tail 230 



Yariation. — There is considerable variation in the head shields, mostly 

 due, however, to the breaking' up of the individual scales than to their 



original difl'erence in shape and 

 proportions. The only ^oung 

 specimen examined by me (No. 

 1244()) appears the most normal 

 and is consequently figured here 

 (figs. 151-152). The scutellation 

 of the others can readily be re- 

 ferred to this model. The nasal is 

 often undivided, possibl}^ oftener 

 so than divided. The scale rows 

 round the body vary between 38 

 and 42, ventrals (in 12 specimens) 

 between 261 and 271, and caudals 

 between 67 and 75 when tail is not defective. Specimens with 36-57 

 caudals have probably lost the tip of the tail T)y accident. 



Color of live xpeciniem. — U.S.N.M. No. 27734, adult male (died in 

 National Zoological Park, August 20, 1900). — Nearly uniform '' bistre" '^ 

 with ventrals and subcaudals darker, narrowly pale-edged behind; 

 above numerous indistinct cross ]>ars (7<>-80 from neck to vent) of 

 dusky color with one or two scales nearly black, thus emphasizing the 

 spots, of which all the component rows (dorsal, dorsolateral, lateral and 

 ventrolateral) are recognizable; the crossbars increase in width pos- 

 teriorly; a blackish postocular band indistinctly connected with a 

 medio-lateral faint longitudinal line on the neck; supralabials fading 



161 



Figs. 151-152.— Epicrates inornati's, young. 

 Natural size. 151, top of head; 152, side of 

 head: No. 12440, U.S.N.M. 



«Ridgway, Nomencl. Col., pi. in, fig. 6. 



