84 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Genus BOODON. 
Four Species in South Africa. 
KEY lO) tHE SPECIES: 
Scales in 23 or 25 rows. ‘Three labials entering the eye. 
Two postoculars ; preocular not extending to upper 
surface of head ; ventrals 175-196 ve ; 
Scales in 23 or 25 rows. Three postoculars; preocular 
extending to upper surface of head; ventrals 
I96—210 Sc oe ac oe ae 5 
Scales in 27 to 33 rows. Ventrals 192-237. Two 
(rarely three) labials entering the eye; two pairs 
of chin shields in contact with each other .. Boodon lineatus. 
Scales in 27 to 33 rows. Three labials entering the 
eye; only one pair of chin shields meeting on the 
median line .. o:0 xe oa af .. Boodon mentalis. 
1. BooDON INFERNALIS. Olive-brown House Snake. Zwart Huis Slang. 
Colour—Olive-brown above ; lower parts whitish. 
Average length—z feet 6 inches. 
Distribution—Both provinces of Cape Colony; Natal; O. R. C., 
Transvaal; Southern Rhodesia; East Africa. 
2. Boopon GuTtatTus. Spotted House Snake. Stippel Huis Slang. 
Synonyms—Lycodon guttatus ; Alopecion annulifer. 
Colour—Yellowish-brown above, with several rows of reddish-brown 
spots with umber-brown borders, the two rows of spots along 
the middle of the back almost circular, and largest; a dark 
brown blotch on each side of the back of the head, and a pair of 
dark longitudinal streaks on the nape; under-parts pale yellow. 
Average length—1 foot 6 inches. 
Distribution—Both provinces of Cape Colony. 
3. Boopon LINEATUS. Brown House Snake. Bruin Huis Slang. 
Synonyms—Lycodon geometricus ; Boodon geometricus. 
Colour—Reddish brown above, uniform or variegated with yellowish, 
with or without a yellow lateral streak; side of head light, the 
brown of the upper surface ending in a point on the snout, with 
a dark brown lateral streak passing through the eye, and dark 
spots on the labials ; or head dark brown, with two more or less 
distinct light lines on each side. Lower parts yellowish. 
Average length—2 feet 6 inches. 
Distribution—Common all over South Africa ; Extends north to Tropical 
Africa. 
4. BoopoyN MENTALIS. Striped House Snake. Streep Huis Slang. 
Colour—Pale brownish above; two yellow lines on each side of the 
; head ; lower parts white. 
Average length—1 foot 6 inches. 
Distribution—Damaraland. 
Boodon infernalis. 
Boodon guttatus. 
Genus LYCOPHIDIUM. 
Two Species in South Africa. 
KEY TO THE, SPECIES: 
Ventrals 164-208 Re im as .. Lycophidium capense. 
Ventrals 146-156 ee “6 es .. Lycophidium semiannulis. 
