in the Collection of the British Museum. 33 



black ; head brownish above and the band on the temple very 

 distinct. 



Several specimens from the Upper Amazons (Chyavetas) 

 were obtained by Mr. Bartlett. The largest is 31 inches 

 long, tail 9 inches. 



Hydrophis stricticollis^ Gthr. 



Several adult examples of this species have been obtained 

 by Mr. Theobald, on the Bassien River, Pegu. The adult 

 have the ventral plates developed in the entire length of the 

 body, and the bands become very indistinct in the posterior 

 half of the trunk. 



Hydrophis Holdsworthii. 



Allied to H. pachycercus. Head and body of moderate width 

 and length ; back very broad. Shields on the upper surface 

 of the head regular. Two pairs of chin-shields, both of which 

 are in contact with each other. Two or three postoculars. 

 The third upper labial is not in contact with the nasal, but 

 enters the orbit ; the fourth labial below the orbit. The first 

 upper temporal is longer than high. Scales not imbricate ; 

 each with a very prominent spine. Thirty-one series of scales 

 round the neck, forty-five round the highest part of the body. 

 Ventral shields 326 in number, with a pair of spinous tuber- 

 cles, the anterior twice as broad as the scales of the adjoining- 

 series, the posterior less broad. Four prseanal shields sub- 

 equal in size. Body with thirty black bands across the back, 

 extending but a short way down the sides ; they are broadest 

 in the middle, tapering on each side. An indistinct dark spot 

 in the median line between the posterior cross bands. Tail 

 with five similar cross bands. 



A male example, 33 inches long, was captured by E. W. H. 

 Holdsworth, Esq., on the Aripo Pearl-banks, on the western 

 coast of Ceylon. 



Brachyiirophis semifasciata. 



Gunther, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1863, xi. p. 21, pi. 3, 



and 1865, xv. p. 97. 

 We have recently received two other (young) examples 

 from Perth, West Australia. 



Rhinelaps (g. n. Elapid.). 



Body stout, cylindrical, covered with short polished scales 

 in seventeen series ; tail short. Head not distinct from the 

 neck, with the snout flat and trenchant. Eye small, with 

 round pupil. Posterior frontal replacing the loreal, in contact 

 with two labials ; one anterior, two posterior oculars. Nasal 



Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser.4. Vol.'ix. 3 



