230 OPHIDIA. 



on the sides oval, a little larger than the former ; ventral 

 plates from 199 to 210 ; subcaudal, fifty- two to seventy- 

 four pairs ; anal plate double ; scales of the body in nine- 

 teen longitudinal rows ; the head above is ash-grey ; the 

 margin of the jaws pale or yeUow, with brown on the 

 sutures ; on the neck and under eyes, are dark brown 

 spots ; the upper part of the body is ash-grey, with a small 

 line of pale yeUow along the scales, giving them a streaked 

 appearance ; sometimes there are three yellow lines ; the 

 belly is always pale yellow, sometimes with scattered livid 

 spots or brown lines. 



The entire length sometimes considerably exceeds 4 feet, 

 it being one of the largest European species. 



Is recorded by PaUas as frequenting arid districts in 

 Southern Eussia, between the Dnieper and Jaik. In the 

 Crimea, and on the shores of the Caspian, 



Coluber Dahlii. 



Zamenis Dahlii, Dum. et Bib. vol. vii. p. 692. 

 Coluber Dahlii, Schinz, Europ. Faun. vol. ii. p. 48. 

 T^ria Dahlii, Buon. Faun. Ital. (figured). 



Desckiption. — The rostral plate is flat, not vaulted or pro- 

 jecting, hardly higher than its width ; two pre-ocular 

 plates, the lower of which is smaller by one-half than the 

 upper ; two post-oculars, eight labials, of which the fourth 

 and fifth touch the eye ; plates above the eye projecting 

 considerably over it ; scales on the temples differing little 

 from those of the body, which are not keeled, and are 

 disposed in nineteen longitudinal rows ; ventral plates, 214 

 to 216 ; subcaudal, 124 to 126 pairs ; anal double. The 

 body of this Snake is very long in proportion to its thick- 

 ness, slightly angular at the sides of the belly, narrowed 

 a good deal towards the head, but more towards the tail, 

 which is very long. The colour of the upper parts is dark 



