452 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



in other species. The series of C . niilcheUli shows it to 

 be valueless as a specific character, the difference in 

 shape being perhaps due to the presence or loss of its 

 terminal segments. 



The fifth and sixth points of difference likewise prove 

 to be untenable. Four of the ten specimens which I have 

 been able to examine have sixteen labials, two have fif- 

 teen, two fourteen, and two have fifteen on the right side 

 and sixteen on the left. The number of smooth rows of 

 scales varies from none to two. 



The original distinctions between C. luitclicUii and 

 C . pyrrhiis are thus all disposed of, but Dr. Stejneger 

 adds (1. c. p. 167): "I have not the type of C. initcJiellii 

 at hand now, but a second specimen was collected by 

 Mr. L. Belding at La Paz, L. C, in 1882, and, judging 

 from this, the chief difference seems to consist in the 

 double row of small scales interposed between the rostral 

 and the prenasal, while in all the known specimens of 

 C . pyrr/nis there is only a single series. By this means 

 the nostrils in C. niitcheUii appear to be placed further 

 back, and the space between nostril and eye is corre- 

 spondingly shortened."' This character also fails upon 

 an examination of a larger series, as is shown in the fol- 

 lowing notes on the specimens before me : 



C. A. S., No. 623. Santa Margarita Island, W. E. 

 Bryant, Feb., 1889. Right side: One loreal; lower pre- 

 orbital long; two series of scales between nasal and ros- 

 tral. Leftside: Twoloreals; lower preorbital long and 

 united with upper; two series of scales between nasal 

 and rostral, but those of the posterior series very small. 

 Fifteen labials and one row of smooth scales on each side. 

 Color above rich cream, with the dorsal patches indicated 

 on the middle of the body by a slight tinge of pale sepia. 

 These are not visible upon neck, but are almost distinct 



