An. das Mem. do Instituto de Butantan — Vol. 1 - fasc. 1 (Ofiologia) ri 
for debate due to the uncertain data on which it is based although 
the theory has been accepted by the ma jority of authors. 
In reference to the Lach. lanceolata, in 1870 A. DUMERIL and 
BocouRT (17) had already doubted the identity of the specimens 
coming from Brazil with those from Martinica, having listed 
the differences which they were able to trace between the two 
species as to the number of dorsal scales, ventral shields, con: 
formation of rostral plate and coloration on the belly. 
Having compared the characteristics of 4.353 specimens of 
our « Jararaca» from the States of São Paulo (including the coast), 
Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Espírito Santo, Minas and Baia with 
the several descriptions of the L. lanceojata, from Martinica Island, 
eiven by De LACEPEDE, SCHLEGEL (18) and DUMERIL and BIBRON (19), 
which correspond to a specimen from that Island which I examined, 
sent us by the Paris Museum and at present classified under 
n.º 2034 in the Butantan collection, I was able to ascertain that 
there really exist patent differences between the two species, 
principally in regard to the colouring of the belly, in the form 
of the dorsal blotches. and in the number of ventral shields which 
constantly seems to be lower im the Brazilian «Jararaca» than, 
in the species from. Martinica. The 4.353 specimens of « Jararaca » 
which I examined are divided as follows: 4.234 received by the 
Butantan Institute between July Ist. 1920 and June 30th. 1921 
and used for the extraction. of poison: 75 existing in the Butantan. 
snake collection; 40 in the « Museu Paulista » collection; 4 belonging: 
to the collection of the Butantan's Anti-ophidic Post in Baia. 
In these specimens, the Brazilian origim of which I always 
endeavoured to absolutely ascertain, the largest number of ventrals 
which I was able to find were: 116 in a specimen from Prainha 
de Iguape (on the coast of the State of São Paulo), classified 
under n.º 1.076 in the Butantan collection; 115 in a specimen 
from M. Guandu (State of Espírito Santo), classified under n.º 1.019 
in the Butantan collection; and 114 in a specimen from Ilha dos 
Porcos (coast of the State of São Paulo), classified under n.º 655 
in the Butantan collection. E can safely state that specimens with 
more than 210 ventrals are from every point of view very 
exceptional. In the majority that 1 examined the number of 
these shields varied between 175-210, that is, approximately, the 
same average which. Virar BRAZIL (20) had already assigned to 
the species. However, the specimens which it is certain are from 
Martinica always seem to have from 220 ventrals up ward. 
The priority of the scientific determination of the « Jararaca » 
although the icolouring of this snake is similar in some points, 
to that of the species described by JEAN WAGLER (21) under the 
(17) A. DumériL E BocourT — “ftude sur les reptiles et les batraciens”, in Rech. Zool, pour ser- 
vir à Vhistoire de la faune de [ Amérique Centrale et du Méxique. 1870; vol. 1I; p. 940. 
(18) H. SonLeoeL — “Éssai sur la physionomie des serpents”. 1837; pp. 5386-540. 
(1º) Dumériz & Brsrox — “Erpétologie générale”. 1854; vol. VII; p. 1,505. 
(20) ViraL Braziz — La Défense contre "Ophidisme”. 1914; p. 81, 
(2) Jean WagLER — in Jean de Spix “Serpentum braziliensum species novae”. Monaco, 1824. 
