22 Dr. A. Giinther on new Species of Snakes 



Zamenis ater. 



Scales in seventeen rows. Habit moderately slender ; eye 

 of moderate size ; loreal region not concave ; two anterior and 

 two posterior oculars. Eight upper labials, the fourth and 

 fifth of which enter the orbit. The upper prgeocular not reach- 

 ing the vertical. Temporals 1 + 2, the anterior long. Ven- 

 trals 142 ; anal double ; subcaudals 60. Upper parts uniform 

 deep black ; abdomen whitish. 



Three specimens, presented by J. Brenchley, Esq., are said 

 to be from Biscra (Algeria) ; the largest is 26 inches long, the 

 tail being 6 inches. 



Zamenis spinalis. 

 Masticophis spinalis, Peters, MB. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1868, p. 91. 



A fine specimen of this snake was contained in a collection 

 made by Mr. A. Adams in various parts of the Chino-Japanese 

 Region. Unfortunately no record of the exact locality where 

 it was obtained is preserved ; but so much appears to be pro- 

 bable, that the statement of the dealer of whom the specimen 

 in the Berlin Museum was purchased (viz. that it came from 

 Mexico) is not correct. 



Dromicus madagascariensis, PI. V. fig. A. 



Scales in nineteen rows, smooth, without apical groove. 

 Loreal square ; one anteocular extending to the upper surface 

 of the head, but not reaching the vertical ; two postoculars. 

 Eight upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. 

 Temporals 1-1-2. Ventrals 168, without keel; anal bifid; 

 subcaudals 95. Upper parts black ; on each side of the back, 

 along the fourth and adjoining halves of the third and fifth 

 outer series of scales, a yellowish band, which commences on 

 the side of the neck and is continued to the extremity of the 

 tail. The second and adjoining halves of the first and third 

 outer series are blackish, forming a stripe which passes into 

 a black lateral band of the tail. Abdomen whitish, anterior 

 ventral scutes with a black spot at the suture with the scales. 

 The posterior maxillary tooth is considerably larger than, but 

 scarcely separated by an interspace from, the preceding teeth. 

 In one specimen the frontal shields are confluent into a single 

 pair. 



Two specimens from Madagascar, purchased on distinct 

 occasions. The larger is 22 inches long. At the first glance 

 this species may be taken for Herpetodryas Bernieri. 



