34 OPHIDIANS. 
33//; head oblong-oval, compressed on the sides, a little broader than the 
neck, obtuse, flat on the crown; ten laminae, with a singular triangular- 
shaped lamina between the nostrils ; mouth of middle size, three rows of 
teeth in upper jaw; no fangs; eyes large; nostrils small, close; trunk 
round; tail tapers rapidly, and terminates in a sharp point; scales 
smooth, ovate, small; color, crown and upper part of bedy a bluish 
clay ; body variegated with dusky spots; belly a tawny buff. 
No. 6. The Col. natr. trop. picturatus is a sub-variety, 
found in Australia. 
No. 7. Col. natr. trop. natrix, is the Grass or Ring Snake, 
common in England. 
EIGHTH GENUS—HOMALOPSID A. 
Fresh-water snakes ; composed of 13 species, made up of 
19 varieties. 
The distinguishing mark for this genus is that the openings 
of the nostrils are on the top of the snout. Gtnther gives 
8 species, as follows, viz. : 
No. 1. Homalopsis (Tatta Pam). 1 sub-variety. 
2. H. fordonia. ih ss 
3. H. cantoria. 1 nf 
4, H. cerberus (Karoo Bokadam). 1 a 
5. H. hypsirhina (H. hyps. aer.). 5 sub-varieties. 
6. H. ferania. 1 sub-variety. 
7. H. hipistes. i! zs 
8. H. herpeton (H. tentaculus). 1 “d 
Russell describes an East India variety, called Tatta Pam 
in Vizagapatam, and Ang. Scytale (Linn.), as follows, viz. : 
Length, 1937’, tail 2’” long; is flat and eel-shaped, like that of the Nalla 
Wahlogitlee Pam. Head, hardly broader than the neck, small, roundish, 
obtuse; 12laminz ; mouth narrow; three rows of teeth in upper jaw ; eyes 
lateral; nostrils vertical, gaping ; trwnk, neck round and smooth ; scales 
small, ovate, imbricate; back carinated; sides sloping, belly roundish, 
os 
