si'n>iKs IN ArsrijAi.iAN iikitii.ks — ki\i;ii(h;n. 15:5 



are siii^-le. A lairlv Imije series of tliis speeii's in tlie Anstralian Musemii 

 collection pi-ove these cliai'Hcrters to l)e constant; fiirthernioie, none of 

 tlie specimens have more tlian 18 single subciiudals. In /'. niorlntteiisix 

 the scales are in 19 idws I'Oiind tlie l>o(ly, the frontal is broader tlian the 

 Hiipraoculai', and ■J'J-4(1 of the siibcaudals are single. 



If it be accepted thai 1 )e Vis' tiy-iiies for the siii)ca iida Is in his sj)ecies 

 have been reversed, and shonld remain as 82 single and "iS paired, the 

 difference between the two species would then be made even greater. 



Vitriittiiiii f'niiii tlif ili'srn'jiliiiii nf the till"'. — liie Hni'iiett Kiver speci- 

 men comprises a complete head, neck, and tail, but the body is represented 

 by a flat skin, of which an inch or so appears to be missing. The 

 posterior chin shields are a fraction longei- than the anterior. Ventrals 

 175 (incomjdete), snbcandals 59, of wliicli 40 are single and 19 paired. 

 In the New South Wales specimen the posterior chin shields are slightly 

 longer than tlie anterior ones. The frontal is a little longer tlian its 

 distance from the rostral, which is not quite as long as the internasals at 

 their longest, and the upper portion as seen from above is contained nearly 

 three times in its distance from the frontal. Ventrals 198. Siibcaudals 

 51, of which 85 are single and 15 paired, plus an extra single one between 

 the 6th and 7th pairs. In my definition of the species I have used all the 

 information available, including De Vis' original description. 



Iti^liiiitiiiii III' the .tperies. — Kve longer than high, its vertical diameter 

 Contained once ami one quarter to once and one half times in its distance 

 from the mouth. Pupil round. Rostral one quai'ter broader than high, 

 its upper surface abonl two and a, half times shorter than its distance 

 from the frontal. The suture between the internasals half as long as 

 that between the prefrontals. Internasals abont half the size of the 

 prefrontals. Frontal a little broader than the supraocular, as long as, or 

 a little longer than its distance from the rostral, once and one half times 

 as long as broad, not as long as the suture formed by the parietals. Tlie 

 greatest length of the parietals is equal to the distance l)etween the eyes. 

 The nostril almost divides the nasal shield, the posterior portion of 

 which is in contact with the single preocular. Oculars 1 -\- '2, temporals 

 2 -j- 2, (in the type 2 -|- '>'i <'ne side), the lower anterior is the largest, 

 and it is wedged in between the fifth and sixth upper labials. Six ui)per 

 labials, the third ard fourth entering the eye. The first three lower 

 labials are in contact with tlie antei'ior chin shield which is equal in 

 length to, or a little shorter than the posterior. Scales in ll» rows round 

 the body. Ventrals 191-193. Siibcaudals 59-61: 22-40 may be single, 

 and 15 to 38 in pairs^. 



('uJniir. — Shiny-black above, belly dark-grey, with a bluish tinge. 

 The ventrals with a narrow darker tinge on their posterioi- edges. Siib- 

 caudals paler than the ventials. The specimen from Willow Tree was 



" These figures include those iu De Vis' original description, and should his 

 count be incorrectly stated, the subeaudals, in my definition of the species should 

 then read:— total number 59-61, of which 32-40 are .single and 15-28 in pairs. 



