SCOTOPIIIS. 75 



The intervals between the blotches may be indicated as being white, 

 with the cenire and apex of each scale lead color, the proportion of 

 the latter "oemg very small on the sides, and increasing to the dorsal 

 line. The scales in the centres of the blotches have the basal half 

 narrowly margined wiVb. white, as is the case, to some extent, with 

 the lateral spots. Beneath greenish white, with the centres of the 

 scutellfe mottled with dark slate-blue, increasing backwards. Chin 

 and throat immaculate yellowish white, scales on the sides with a 

 bluish spot on the apex. 



The colors described are those as preserved in alcohol. Probabl}' 

 the color of the animal when alive is much like that of Bascaniun 

 constrictor or Scotophis olleQlianiensis. 



In the general obsoleteness of the markings, the blotches may 

 sometimes be detected as more or less confluent between the different 

 series. 

 New Braunfds, Tex. 227+1.81.29. 36.7. Dr. F. Lindheimer. 



A second specimen much larger, of what appears to be the same 

 species, differs in having the belly nearly uniform yellowish : the 

 black of the upper parts is replaced by umber-brown. The blotches 

 are visible, but very obsoletely. 

 ladlanola. 234-f 1. 85. 29. 60. 9. Col. J. D. Graham. 



3« Scotopllis VUlpinus, B. & G. — Head rather sliort, vertical 

 broader than long. Postfrontals very large, as long as the verticals, pe- 

 nultimate upper labial largest. Dorsal series 25 ; outer 4 rows smooth. 

 Abdominal scutellse 203. Subquadrate dorsal blotches transverse,- 3 or 4 

 scales long. Tail tumid. 



Anterior frontals much smaller than the posterior. Ilosti-al broad. 

 Occipitals broad, rather short, longer than the vertical. Eyes smaller 

 than in *S'. allecjlmnicnds, centre over the junction of the 4th and 5th 

 labials. Upper labials 8, penultimate one the largest, last somewhat 

 smaller: lower 10, 6th the largest. Anteriorly the first three or four 

 rows are smooth, there they are very obsoletely carinated, increasing 

 towards the back, although everywhere moderately so. Tail thick. 



General aspect that of Opliibolus eximiiis, from which it is however 

 distinguishable by the carinated scales and other generic features. 

 Ground-color above light brown. A series of broad transverse quad- 

 rate chocolate blotches extending from head to tail, about 60 in num- 

 ber, 44 to anus. The first spot anteriorly is divided into two on the 



