BEPTILES FROM QUEENSLAND $ NORTHERN TERRITORY.— LONGMAN. 31 



DIEMENIA CARINATA, nov. sp. 



(Plate XIV.) 



This snake has the remarkable keeled ventral scales of Hoplocephalus 

 stephensii and hitorquatus, but with this exception its affinities are with the 

 genus Diemenia. The head is not unlike that of Diemenia nuchalis, and the 

 subcaudals are in two rows. Some writers would possibly prefer to resurrect 

 a generic name such as Pseudonaja to associate with this snake, yet it so greatly 

 resembles certain species of Diemenia that, notwithstanding its keeled ventrals, it 

 has been placed in that genus. 



The diameter of the eye slightly exceeds its distance from the mouth. 

 Rostral prominent, resembling that of Diemenia nuchalis, deeper than broad, 

 the portion visible from above measuring nearly its distance from the frontal. 

 Internasals shorter than the prefrontals. Frontal obtusely hexagonal, broadest 

 anteriorly, wider than the supraoculars, shorter than the parietals, as long 

 as its distance from end of snout. Nasal entire, but notched below, in contact 

 with single prseocular. Two postoculars, both of which touch the anterior lateral 

 edges of the parietal. Temporals small, 1 + 2. Labials six, first two in con- 

 tact with nasal, third and fourth entering eye, sixth largest. Mental small. 

 Seven lower labials, first pair much larger than chin-shields, with which three 

 labials are in contact; posterior chin-shields small and separated by two scales. 



Head small and tapering, not distinct from neck. Ventrals strongly 

 angulated from the neck to the vent, probably being specialised for climbing. 

 This angulation is well shown on the photograph of spirit specimen (Plate XIV). 

 Scales on body 17, 20 on neck, 15 near vent; dorsals somewhat imbricated and 

 smaller than laterals. Ventrals 220 ; subcaudals 55 ; the second only being 

 single ; anal divided. Total length 1,130 mm. ; tail 157. 



Head dark smoky brown, shining above, the dark colouration being pre- 

 sent below and continued on the first 15 gastrosteges, after which it is gradually 

 lost in the prevailing whiteness of the ventral region. Body slaty brown above, 

 darker anteriorly, barred by 15 irregular, burnished dark bands, the first of 

 which is elongated and confined to the dorsal series. In addition to these con- 

 spicuous dark patches there are to be distinguished in the intervening spaces 

 remains of numerous narrow dark bands, approximately one scale wide. 



Locality: Cane Grass Station, via Charleville, Western Queensland. 

 Vernacular name: " Tiger Snake." 



Donor: Mr. J. Oswald Paynter. 



Type in Queensland Museum : Reg, No. Q.M. J 14/1508. 



