630 >2. BOID& 



western record. Professor Brown of the University of 

 Arizona told nne that he had examined a specimen collected 

 on the grounds of the Carnegie Desert Laboratory near 

 Tucson, in 1911. 



Remarks. This snake differs from Siagonodon humilis 

 in the presence of supraocular plates. It is believed to be 

 subterranean in its habits, and therefore is rare in collections. 



Family 12. BOID^E 



The belly is provided with a series of large plates. The 

 head may be covered with either small scales or large plates. 

 The eye is well-developed, with vertical pupil. Rudimentary 

 pelvis and hind limbs are present, the latter usually showing 

 externally as a small spur on each side of the anus. Both 

 jaws bear teeth. The labial plates are without pits. 



Two genera of boas have been found in California. 



SYNOPSIS OF GENERA 



a. Head covered with small scales; tail not very blunt. 



Lichanura. p. 630. 

 a*. Head with large plates above; tail very blunt. 



Charina. p. 638. 



Genus 24. Lichanura 



Lichanura COPE, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, p. 304- (type, 

 tritfirgata) ; COPE, Report U. S. Nat. Mus. for 1898, 1900, p. 722. 

 The head is slightly distinct from the neck, and is cov- 

 ered with small scales. The nostril is between two plates, 

 the anterior of which meets that of the opposite side on the 

 median line. The scales on the body are smooth and nearly 

 as wide as long. The urosteges and preanal plate are un- 

 divided. The short tail is tapering, but ends in a rounded 

 plate. The eye is moderately large with vertical pupil. 

 Two species are known. 



