in the Collection of the British Museum. 17 



rows. Anal and subcaudals double. The posterior maxillary- 

 tooth (1 — 3) is large, trenchant, not grooved, separated from 

 the others bj a small interspace. 

 South America. 



Lejjtocalamus torquatus. PI. III. fig. A. 



This snake might be taken at the first glance for an Elapo- 

 morphus^ from which it is distinguished by the number of 

 scales and the dentition. Rostral broad and low ; posterior 

 frontals about thrice the size of the anterior ; vertical quadran- 

 gular, with a very obtuse angle in front, and with a right one 

 behind ; it occupies nearly the entire width of the upper sur- 

 face of the head. Occipitals considerably longer than broad, 

 obtusely rounded behind. The pr^ocular is nearly as long 

 as the two nasals together; two small postoculars. Seven 

 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Tem- 

 porals 1 + 2. Ventrals 183; subcaudals 53 + a-. Reddish- 

 olive above, with a verj indistinct darker vertebral line ; lower 

 parts uniform white ; a broad white collar across the posterior 

 half of the occipitals and first rows of scales. 



Length of the head \ inch, of trunk 9^ inches, of tail (mu- 

 tilated) 3 inches. 



One specimen, purchased of Mr. Cuming, said to be from 

 " South America." 



MiCEODROMUS (g. n. Calamarid.). 



Physiognomy and habit as in Elapomorphus and Homcdo- 

 cranium. Head small, depressed, not distinct from neck. 

 Eye rather small. Upper shields of the head normal. Loreal 

 none, replaced by the conjunction of the nasal, posterior frontal, 

 and prajocular. Nasal simple. Scales smooth, without apical 

 groove, in fifteen rows. Anal and subcaudals double. The 

 last maxillary tooth is the largest, separated from the others 

 by an interspace, and smooth. 



Central America. 



Microdromus virgatus. Plate IV. fig. B. 



Rostral shield just reaching to the upper surface of the 

 snout ; anterior frontals scarcely half the size of posterior, 

 narrow ; vertical five-sided, longer than broad ; occipitals as 

 long as the vertical and frontals together, rounded behind. 

 One ante-, two postoculars. Seven upper labials, the third 

 and fourth entering the orbit, the hindmost the largest. Tem- 

 porals 1 + 1. The first pair of lower labials not in contact 

 with each other. Anterior chin-shields much larger than tlje 



Ann. <Ss Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 4. Fb^. ix. 2 



