156 
Spitores Hopcsonu, Gthr. (PI. XXVII.) 
Diagnosis.—Body elongate, slightly compressed. Scales indi- 
stinctly keeled, in twenty-three rows ; the fifth upper labial shield 
hardly reaching upwards to the posterior margin of the orbit ; eight 
upper labials, two posterior oculars, anal bifid. Uniform olive, the 
skin between the scales black. 
Hab. Ladak, Tibet (15,200 feet above the level of the sea). Two 
other specimens have been sent by Mr. Hodgson from Nepal. 
Description.—This species is closely allied to Spilotes melanurus, 
Schleg., and Sp. reticularis, Cant., which, however, have consider- 
ably larger scales, in nineteen, and sometimes in twenty-one series, 
and exhibit a different coloration. Sp. melanurus has the sixth 
(fifth) upper labial differently shaped ; but in all have the shields of 
the head the same tendency to irregularities, two or three being often 
united. This is the case in the Nepalese specimens of the present 
species, whilst that from Tibet has all distinctly separated. The 
form of the head and of its shields is exactly the same as in the other 
species mentioned. The ante-ocular reaches to the upper surface of 
the head, without touching the vertical. The scales are small, espe- 
cially those on the neck, where they are arranged in twenty-three 
rows, as in the middle of the body. Those of the dorsal series are 
indistinctly keeled. 
Ventrals. Anal. Caudals. 
Tibetan specimen ............ 296 1/1 90 
Nepalese specimen, no. 1...... 226 1/1 79 
Nepalese specimen, no. 2...... 233 1/l 85 
The colour of the upper parts is uniform olive, the skin between 
the scales being black ; the belly is whitish, and the margin of each 
ventral shield blackish on each side. The tail is coloured like the 
body. 
inches. lines. 
Lenpthvof thethead). 00 33s gn wee 5 F 
OF She teas ON Tk ve, cocoate Pee 
Total length. - 2... 0. Sse pale seater 61-0 
This Snake is called after B. H. Hodgson, Esq. 
Herpetoreas, Gthr. 
Diagnosis.—The posterior maxillary tooth longest, in a continu- 
ous series with the anterior ones. Body and tail slender, compressed. 
Two nasals, one loreal, one anterior, two posterior oculars. Scales 
moderately elongate, keeled, in nineteen rows. Eye of moderate 
size. 
This genus is to be referred to the family of the Dryadide, and is 
distinguished from the other genera by its dentition. 
HeERPETOREAS SIEBOLDII, Gthr. 
Diagnosis.—Vertical shield five-sided, with the lateral margins 
nearly parallel, and with the posterior sides very short. Scales in 
ll i i i ee ek kk ee 
