CHAP. XIX.] 



KEPTILES. 



377 



Africa ; Helicops (2 sp.), North and South America ; Farancia 

 and Dimodes, with one species each, are from New Orleans ; and 

 a few others imperfectly known from Tropical America. 



FAMILY 9. PSAMMOPHIR<E. (5 Genera, 20^ Species.) 

 GENERAL DISTRIBUTION. 



The Psammophidse, or Desert Snakes, are a small group 

 characteristic of the Ethiopian and Oriental regions, but more 

 abundant in the former. The distribution of the genera is as 

 follows : 



Psammophis (16 sp.), ranges from West Africa to Persia and 

 Calcutta ; Ccelopeltis (1 sp.), North and West Africa ; Mimophis 

 (1 sp.), Madagascar ; Psammodynastes (2 sp.), Sikhim to Cochin 

 China, Borneo and the Philippine Islands ; and DromopJiis (1 

 sp.), Tropical Africa. 



FAMILY 10. KACHIODONTHLE. (1 Genus, 2 Species.) 



GENERAL DISTRIBUTION. 



The Kachiodontidse are a small and very isolated group of 

 snakes of doubtful affinities. The only genus, Dasypeltis (2 sp.), 

 is confined to West and South Africa. 



