166 OPHIDIA. 



the sixth, which is the most developed ; the seventh is nearly as large 

 as the sixth, whilst the eighth is nearly equal to the fifth ; the fourth 

 and fifth constitute the inferior rim of the orbit. The lower labials 

 are ten in number, the first pair being narrow and elongated, inclosing 

 entirely a small and obtusely triangular symphyseal ; the second and 

 third are the smallest of the set; there is an increase in size hence to 

 the seventh, which is the largest ; the others diminish again poste- 

 riorly ; the tenth is quite reduced. We observe two pairs of mental 

 shields ; the anterior pair is broader and shorter than the posterior 

 pair, which diverges to admit the anterior abdominal scutella, leaving 

 no space between them for scale-like shields. 



The neck is very slender, and quite distinct from the head. The 

 body is circular, and slender also, a little thicker upon its middle than 

 towards its extremities. The tail, which is subconical and tapering, 

 constitutes about the fifth of the entire length. The scales are lanceo- 

 lated, carinated, and slightly larger towards the abdomen than on the 

 middle of the back. The keels extend to the very tip of the scales, 

 which are disposed upon nineteen longitudinal series upon the middle 

 of the body, and seven or eight upon the base of the tail. The scales 

 upon the occipital region are irregular in shape, and smooth ; they 

 are small, and carinated near the origin of the tail. The abdominal 

 scutellae are very much developed transversely, in the direction of 

 their length ; they are also quite broad, slightly convex, one hundred 

 and thirty-four in number, the preanal being subdivided, and more 

 convex posteriorly than the others ; the anterior one is the broadest, 

 and anteriorly acute. The subcaudal scutellae are disposed upon a 

 double series, and about fifty in each. 



The handsome brick-red color of the upper parts of the body, which 

 is observed during life, has given way to a purplish-grey, in specimens 

 preserved in spirits, and the pale-red of the abdomen to a dull reddish- 

 yellow. The extremities of the scutellae are colored like the back, 

 and provided moreover with a small black spot, constituting a series 

 on either side of the abdomen. The black dorsal vitta is now blackish- 

 brown, covering one entire row of scales and the half of the adjoining 

 two rows, and along the tail two half rows only ; anteriorly, where 

 the vitta widens into a club-shaped spot, forked upon its anterior edge, 

 there are but two series of scales on the sides of the neck, which are 

 not covered by it. 



