Q7 



SYNOPSES AND DESCRIPTIONS. 



Labials 8 sixth and seventh h.rgesf. Infrah.bials 10. Scales smooth, 

 ^:t, in 21 rows. Ventrals 160. ^^^ ^^^.^^^l^:-; 

 A band of black along each flank from the nostrd to the tip of the tad 

 One or two of the outer rows lighter. Dorsal region covered by a band 

 of .reyish brown, lighter near the bla.-k bands. Labials, mfralabials, and 

 liLhields with rounded spots of black. Each ventral has a rounded 

 spot upon the base near each end which form a series along each side of 

 • the abdomen. Southern Mexico and Central America. 



COLUBRINAE. 



Elongate fusiform, rtout to slender; hoaJ <listi„et from the neck, don- 

 .ate, crown flattened, sides concave; neck somewliat small; ta,l rather 

 In^ not distinct from the trunk, tapering. Mn..le stonl, produced. 

 Motth deeply deft, outline curved. Teeth snbequ.l or postenor larger 

 Eye large, pupil round. Scales smooth or keeled, imbneate; subcaudals 



'"I'he tvilcal genera of the family are those of Coluber and Elaphis, the 

 „euera t'o which the common black snakes of the TJuited States belong. 



Nasal divided ; 



edges of rostral free; scales smooth, in 17 scries; 

 " posterior maxillary teeth longer, isolated, smooth 



Salvadoea. 



Nasal entire ; 



teeth equal, smooth ; loreal present or lacking ; 



anal bitid; scales smooth or keeled, in 15 or 17 series 



Cyclophis. 



Nasal divided ; 



anal bifid; scales smooth or keeled ; loreal present; 



teeth becoming longer posteriorly Coluber. 



anal entire ; 



teeth equal smooth; a loreal; crown-shields nine; 

 scales keeled or smooth, in 15 to 23 series 



Spilotes. 



scales keeled, in 27 to 35 series; 



crown-shields nine to eleven Pityophis. 



