DOLIOPHIS FLAVICEPS. 177 



postnasal to the anterior rim of the orbit. The postorbitals, two in num- 

 ber, are subangular, deeper than broad, the lower one being the largest, 

 and resting upon the commissure between the fourth and fifth labials. 

 Four temporal shields may be observed ; the anterior one quite large 

 and angular. There are six upper labials, of considerable development; 

 the first one is the smallest, triangular in shape, and situated immedi- 

 ately beneath the nostril ; the second, third, fourth, and fifth are deeper 

 than broad ; the second corresponding to the commissure between the 

 postnasal and the anteorbital ; the third is beneath the anteorbital, 

 forming a portion of the anterior rim of the orbit ; the fourth is imme- 

 diately beneath the pupil, forming the lower portion of the orbit; the 

 fifth is under the commissure between the postorbitals and anterior 

 temporal shield ; the sixth labial is longer than broad, and the largest 

 of the set. There are also six lower labials; the first pair is the deepest 

 and narrowest, inclosing the small triangular symphyseal ; the second 

 is the smallest, and the fourth the largest and most dilated inferiorly ; 

 the fifth is long and narrow ; the sixth, but slightly larger than the 

 second. There are two pairs of broad and short mental shields. The 

 region of the throat exhibits several plate-like shields. 



The neck is but slightly distinct from the head. The body is very 

 long, subcylindrical, somewhat depressed, covered with smooth scales, 

 disposed upon thirteen longitudinal series. The latter are lanceolated, 

 and somewhat larger upon the series next to the abdominal scutellae. 

 The tail is rather short and subconical, provided with eight series of 

 scales upon its base, and four only towards its apex. The abdominal 

 scutellae are well developed, and slightly curved ; the preanal one 

 being subdivided. The subcaudal scutellae are disposed upon a double 

 row, except the anterior three, which are entire. 



The abdominal scutellae are two hundred and sixty-seven in num- 

 ber ; the subcaudal scutellae thirty-nine. The entire length is four 

 feet and five inches ; the tail separately measuring five inches. 



The upper region of the body and tail is uniform bluish-black, with 

 a greyish or pale sky-blue streak or band along the two external series 

 of scales. The extremities of the abdominal scutellae are black also, 

 thus forming a black band beneath the sky-blue streak. The head 

 and abdominal region are yellow. The tail is mostly yellowish also, 

 since the black extends only along two series of scales of the upper 

 region. 



45 



