428 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



largo scales: two rows between this aud labials. Labials 12 to 14 

 above, tifth largest; 13 t()15 below, liows of scales on the back 23 to 

 25, all carinated : cariuation on outer row obsolete. Tail black. Above 

 snlplmr-brown, with 2 rows of confluent brown lozenges. Light line 

 from superciliary to angle of the mouth; behind this a dark patch (figs. 

 64,05). 



Head above covere<l with small subtuborculous scales. Superciliaries 

 (supraoculars) large. Anterior fVontals (internasals) large, tri;ingular, 

 emarginated behind to receive a series of three small plates. A single 

 subhexagonal plate between the superciliary (supraocular) and .interior 



Fi}r. 64. 



HEAD OK CliUTALl'S IIOUUIDUS, TOP VIEW. 



Fig. c.-;. 



IF rROTALf.S HOKRIDUS, SIDE VIEW. 



(Alter Bairil. ) 



frontal (internasal). The exterior plate of the posterior frontal (pre- 

 frontal) row is much the largest, and is in contact with the super- 

 ciliaries (supraoculars). A series of 3 or 1 large fiat scales extend 

 from the posterior extremity of the superciliary (supraocular). Scales 

 on the cheeks (temporals) very large, truncate. Anterior orbitals 

 (preoculars) double; the upper one rectangular, elongated longitudi- 

 nally, separated from the (posterior) nasal by 2 small plates (loreals). 



General color above that of roll 8uli)hur; beneath, whitish yellow. 

 Along the back is a double series of subrhomboidal blotches, looking 

 as if they had been in contact, and then the line of junction partially 

 effaced for the 3 or 4 central rows. (See fig. 52.) The imiDression 

 conveyed of tlie color of these blotches is that of coarse mottlings of 

 soot or gunpowder grains, more crowded exteriorly. There are 21 of 

 these blotches from the head to the anus, the tail being entirely black. 

 The rhomboids aie inclosed within about 12 dorsal series of scales. 

 Directly opposite to these spots on each side is a series of subtrian- 

 gular blotches similarly constituted as to color, and extending from the 

 abdomen to about the fifth lateral row, and some 6 or 7 scales long. 

 Anteriorly these are distinct from the dorsal series, but i)osteriorly 

 they are confluent with them, forming a series of zigzag blotches across 

 the body. The scutelhe below show^ more or less of the grain-like 

 mottlings. Posteriorly the yellow of the body is suffused with darker. 



There are no markings of lines distinctly visible on the sides of the 

 head. In the center of the spaces between the dorsal and lateral series 

 of blotches are indications of small obselete spots, and in some cases 



