458 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxxvi. 



two on the left ; behind these a wide phite somewhat wider than the 

 adjacent first ventral; 15 rows of smooth scales without pores, median 

 row not sensibly larger than the others; 165 ventrals; anal single; 

 subcaudals 98. Color (in alcohol) brownish gray with a median 

 series of about 42 pale brown ocelli, edged w^ith black, on the body, 

 the last" six descending to the ventrals so as to form transverse bands, 

 many of the ocelli, especially anteriorly, divided medially, the halves 

 more or less alternating ; on the two or three outer scale rows a series 

 of similar spots below the dorsal ones, each edged in front and behind 

 by a blackish border, between which a whitish interval ; tail above 

 with about 17 alternating pale brown and brownish gray bands with 

 a small whitish spot in the middle of the latter on the sides; head 

 and nape dark brownish gray with indistinct marblings of pale 

 brown and yellowish; third, fourth, and fifth labials marked with 

 whitish; underside j)ale with dark brownish gray dots and spots 

 which tend to form two parallel series on the ventrals. 



Dimensions. 



mm. 

 Total length 4<SS 



Tip of suMUt 1o vent .''>35 



Vent to tip of tail ir^B 



Remarls. — The present species differs from Mesopeltis dimid'iatus 

 (Guenther) and M. saniiiohis Cope in having a much smaller un- 

 paired postmental which is only in contact with the first pair of lower 

 labials, and in a longer snout with a much longer and lower loreal. 

 In the coloration of the back and sides it resembles Cope's Lepfor/- 

 nathus argus which, however, has a short snout and, moreover, 

 possesses preoculars. From M. sannlolus it differs furthermore by 

 having a larger number of subcaudals, and from M. dlmidlatus, as 

 well as from L. argus, by the much smaller number of ventrals. 



