CHAP. XIX.] 



REPTILES. 



383 



genus, and they are annulated with rings of various colours 

 in a manner quite distinct from any other members of this 

 family. The genera, which are all very distinct, are distributed 

 as follows : 



Diemenia, Acanthophis, Hoplocephalus, Brachiurophis, Tropi- 

 dechis, Pseudechis, Cacophw, Pseudonaje, Denisonia, and Vermi- 

 cella, are Australian, the first two ranging to the Moluccas and 

 New Guinea ; Ogmodon occurs in the Fiji Islands ; Naja, Bun- 

 garus, Ophiophagus, Pseudotiajfl, Xenurelaps, Doliophis, Megcero- 

 phis, and Callophis are Oriental, one species of the latter genus 

 being found in Japan, while an OphiopJuttfUS has been discovered 

 in New Guinea; Cyrtophis, Elapsoidea, and Pcecilophis are 

 African : Elaps is American, ranging as far north as South Caro- 

 lina, but not to the West -Indian Islands. 



FAMILY 21. DENDEASPIDID^. (1 Genus, 5 Species.) 

 GENERAL DISTRIBUTION. 



The single genus Dendraspis, constituting the family, is con- 

 fined to Tropical Africa. 



FAMILY 22. ATEACTASPIDID^. (1 Genus, 4 Species.) 



GENERAL DISTRIBUTION. 



This small family, consisting of the genus Atmctaspis, is also 

 confined to Africa, but has hitherto only been found in the West 

 and South. 



