The Flat-nosed Snakes 



The scalation of the head generally — apart from the unusual 

 development of the nose-plate — is interesting and different 

 from the majority of colubrine snakes of this country. Between 

 the eye and the upper lip plates {superior labials) is a row of 

 small scales. There are two or three plates in front of the eye 

 {supraoculars) and two to four loreal plates. 



BROWN'S FLAT-NOSED SNAKE 

 Phyllorhynchus browni, (Stejneger) 



Size small and the body slender; head but slightly distinct. 

 The scales on the forward portion of the body are very faintly 

 keeled; on the latter portion the carination is distinct. Tail 

 short — about one-eighth the total length. 



Colouration. — Whitish or pale yellow, with fifteen brown 

 blotches on the back which are paler in their centres. Abdomen 

 white. There is a dark bar across the head between the eyes. 



No spots on the sides. 



Dimensions. — Total length 13 inches; tail if inches. 



Distrihuiimi. — But two specimens are known. Both were 

 taken near Tucson, Arizona. 



Habits. — Nothing is known of the habits. It appears to 

 be a desert animal. 



THE PENINSULA FLAT-NOSED SNAKE 

 Phyllorhynchus decuriatus, (Cope) 



Differs from the preceding reptile in having smooth scales 

 and a shorter tail — about one-twelfth the total length; also in the 

 colouration. 



Colouration. — Whitish or pale yellow, with about thirty 

 dark blotches on the back and one or two rows of spots on the sides. 



Dimensions.— Tota\ length 15I inches; tail if inches. 



Distribution. — Lower California and south-western Arizona. 

 But three specimens have been collected and of these only a 

 single individual has been taken within the United States — at 

 Yuma, Arizona, 



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