630 12. BOIDZ 
western record. Professor Brown of the University of 
Arizona tola me that he had examined a specimen collected 
on the grounds of the Carnegie Desert Laboratory near 
Tucson, in 1911. 
Remarks.—This snake differs from Siagonodon humilis 
in the presence of supraocular plates. It is believed to be 
subterranean in its habits, and therefore is rare in collections. 
Family 12. BOIDA 
The belly is provided with a series of large plates. The 
head may be covered with either small scales or large plates. 
The eye is well-developed, with vertical pupil. Rudimentary 
pelvis and hind limbs are present, the latter usually showing 
externally as a small spur on each side of the anus. Both 
jaws bear teeth. The labial plates are without pits. 
Two genera of boas have been found in California. 
Synopsis OF GENERA 
a.—Head covered with small scales; tail not very blunt. 
Lichanura.—p. 630. 
a.—Head with large plates above; tail very blunt. 
Charina.—p. 638. 
Genus 24. Lichanura 
Lichanura Cops, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, p. 304 (type, 
trivirgata); Cope, Report U. S. Nat. Mus. for 1898, 1900, p. 722. 
The head is slightly distinct from the neck, and is cov- 
ered with small scales. The nostril is between two plates, 
the anterior of which meets that of the opposite side on the 
median line. The scales on the body are smooth and nearly 
as wide as long. The urosteges and preanal plate are un- 
divided. The short tail is tapering, but ends in a rounded 
plate. The eye is moderately large with vertical pupil. 
Two species are known. 
