51 Professor Tiaiil's Dcscripfion <■/ the EUips Jamcsoni. 



of its moiitli, and the fossuliie in its nasal plates, indicate that 

 t belongs to the genus Elaps. Perhaps it might form the 



type of a new genus of venomous serjjents ; but unless other 

 species resembling it be hereafter found, it is better to avoid 

 the multiplication of genera, — the rage for which has too often 

 greatly retarded the study of Natural History. I have, therefore, 

 considered it as an Elaps, and beg leave to designate it 



Elaps Jamesoni. 

 The only specimen which I have seen, and which is in my 

 possession, measures 



From the snout to the anus, 



From the anus to the extremity of the tail, 



Extreme length, 

 Circumference of the trunk where thickest, 

 Length of the head, 



The trunk diminishes towards the neck and tail. The back 

 is slightly carinated ; the abdomen is large ; the tail tapers gra- 

 dually ; the scales are lozenge-shaped, smooth, and arranged 

 in fifteen rows ; the scuta are wide, and number 220 + 108 

 (the first, as in Schlegel's work, indicating the abdominal, the 

 latter the divided caudal scuta). The general colour of the 

 upper part of the animal is of a bluish-grey ; but where the 

 epidermis has peeled oflF, the scales are of a brilliant sky-blue. 

 Each scale on the posterior part of the body, and also on the 

 whole tail, is edged with deep black ; and on the latter they 

 are, moreover, tipt with the same colour, giving a very ele- 

 gant appearance to this snake. The general colour of the 

 under parts of the body is yellowibh-white, but the abdominal 



