30 REPTILES. 



We were not able to find the original specimen, figured by 

 Dr. Gray in the ' Indian Zoology,' pi- . f- 2, and named by him 

 Lycodon catenatus. The comparison of specimens would no 

 doubt show the identity of both snakes, and the priority of the 

 latter denomination as the first published. 



8. Ablabes rufulus. 



Coronella rufula, Lichtenstein, Verz. der Doubletten, p. 105; 

 Schleg. Ess. pi. 2. f. 18, 19. Lamprophis rufulus. Smith, III. of 

 S. Afr. pi. 58. Ablabes rufula, Dum. Sf Bibr. p. 308. 



Scales in nineteen rows; anal entire; upper labials eight, 

 fourth and fifth coming into the orbit. Above uniform brownish 

 or black ; the uniform whitish coloration of belly generally ex- 

 tending on the sides. 



a. Adult. Cape of Good Hope. From the Leyden Museum. 



b, c. Adult. Cape of Good Hope. 



d. Adult. Cape of Good Hope. Presented by Dr. Lee. 



e, f. Adult. South Africa. 



g. Adult : injured. South Africa. 



h. Adult : not good state. South Africa. 



i. Young. South Africa. 



Var. A blackish medial line under the tail. 



k. Large specimen. Port Natal. Presented by the Rev, H. 



Calloway. 

 I. Adult. South Africa. From the Haslar Collection. 



See Coronella olivacea, which is similar in general appearance. 



3. Trachischium, Giinther. 



Body and tail moderate ; head rather small, depressed, pointed 

 in front, distinct from neck ; one loreal, one anterior, one pos- 

 terior ocular; two nasals, nostril between. Scales in thirteen 

 rows ; all smooth except those of the ischiadic region, which are 

 provided with granular keels. Teeth equal, not grooved. Sikkim. 



1. Trachischium rugosum. 



Uniform black. 

 a. Sikkim Himalaya. Presented by Dr. J. Hooker. 



Description. — Habit like that of Coronella Icevis ; head rather 

 smaller, eyes small. Rostral shield moderate, rounded above, 

 just reaching the surface of head; anterior frontal s moderate; 

 posterior ones united, forming an azygos broad shield; this 



