34 Dr. A. Giinther on new Species of Snakes 



subdivided by the nostril. Anal bifid ; subcaudals two-rowed. 

 The poison-tooth placed rather far backwards ; no other teeth 

 behind it. 



It is with some reluctance that I propose a distinct generic 

 name for this snake ; but the dentition and the arrangement 

 of the shields between the eye and nostril have hitherto been 

 used as generic characters, and in one or the other of these two 

 points Rhinelaps differs from the other Australian genera. 



Rhinelaps fasciolatus. PI. V. fig. B. 



Rostral shield broad, depressed, trenchant in front, extend- 

 ing on the upper surface of the snout. The anterior frontals 

 are only half as large as the posterior, which are in contact 

 with the second and third labials. Vertical six-sided, as much 

 produced in front as behind, as long as the occipitals, which 

 are rounded behind. Nasal single, but nearly entirely divided 

 into two by the nostril, which is subanterior. Anteocular 

 large, in contact Avith, or nearly reaching, the vertical ; two 

 postoculars. Six upper labials, the first very small, the sixth 

 not much larger than the fifth. Temporals ! + !• Ventrals 

 161 ; subcaudals 26. Body light reddish, with a great num- 

 ber of narrow, slightly undulated, brownish-black, transverse 

 bars across the back ; they are narrower than the interspaces 

 between them, and nearly all are broken up into transverse 

 series of spots. Head white, with a large black patch covers 

 ing the interocular space and occipitals, and separated by a 

 narrow interspace from a broad black collar, which, again, is 

 followed by a narrower black cross bar. Lower parts uniform 

 white. 



One specimen was found by Mr. Duboulay at Perth, West 

 Australia; it is 13^ inches long, tail Ig inch. 



Diemenia Miilleri (Schleg.). 



Schlegel has evidently confounded two species under the 

 name of Elai^s Miilleri. He states that the two original ex- 

 amples Avere from S. Miiller's collection made in New Guinea; 

 and both are figured in 'Verh. Nat. Gesch. Nederl. overz, Bez. 

 Kept.' pi. 9. figs. 1 & 2. The one (fig. 1) has 176 ventrals 

 and 32 caudals, and the other (fig. 2) only 148 ventrals and 

 24 caudals. A third specimen, brought by Quoy and Gaimard 

 from Rawak, had 166 ventrals and 36 caudals. 



I am not able at present to form an opinion about the last 

 example ; but, having received specimens agreeing with those 

 collected by Miiller, I feel convinced that they are distinct. 



I retain the name given by Schlegel for the species figured 

 on pi. 9. fig. 1. The specimen in the British Museum is from 

 North Ceram, and agrees in every respect with the figure 



