250 s A u R i A. 



and plates as in the preceding species. We observe also seven upper 

 labials on either side ; the fifth enters likewise into the rim of the 

 orbit, but is not as large as in 0. zelandicum; they increase gradually 

 in size backwards; the first is the smallest, all of them being quadran- 

 gular ; the third, fourth, and fifth as deep as long ; the sixth and 

 seventh deeper than long. The lower labials are very narrow and 

 elongated, six or seven in number, diminishing posteriorly, the middle 

 ones being the largest, and the first very small. The symphyseal is 

 hemidiscoid, nearly equal to the rostral or somewhat larger. The odd 

 mental shield is large and lozenge-shaped ; those of the fir.st pair are 

 subrhomboid, and contiguous upon the middle of the chin; the second 

 pair is the largest, being transversely elongated, diverging as well as 

 the third pair, which is almost as large as the first pair. 



The scales which surround the body constitute twenty-six longitu- 

 dinal series, four of which belonging to the dorsal region properly so 

 to be called, eight to the abdominal region, and seven to each side. 

 The dorsal scales are larger than the abdominal ones, which are larger 

 than on the sides; the two middle dorsal series, moreover, are much 

 larger than the adjoining series, and transversely elongated. The two 

 middle preanal scales are conspicuously larger than the adjoining ones. 



A yellowish-golden or whitish band extends from the occiput to the 

 origin of the tail, flanked on either side by a series of closely approxi- 

 mated black spots, constituting sometimes a continuous streak, with 

 undulating margins, at others, the spots are isolated. A bronze area 

 extends from the supraocular region backwards, and immediately 

 beneath, on the sides of the body, from the eye to a certain distance 

 along the tail, is a black band, speckled with bronze or olive, and pass- 

 ing over the auricular aperture, the insertion of the arms and thighs. 

 The lower portion of the sides is brownish, light-speckled. The upper 

 surface of the head and limbs is brown, varied with blackish; the digits 

 are transversely semi-annulated with black; the upper surface of the 

 tail being brownish. The abdomen and tail beneath are either light 

 brown or greyish, sometimes unicolor, at others, obsoletely streaked 

 between each series of scales. The jaws are transversely fasciated, 

 with deep brown or blackish upon the commissure of the labial plates, 

 the centre of which retaining a light brown hue. 



Loc. Coral Islands. Common at Taheiti (Otaheiti) and Eimeo, 

 Samoa, &c. ; under stones, near the margin of the water. Specimens 



