HORN-NOSE SNAKE. 399 



narrow band o4 an ochre-colour: this band is 

 bounded beneath by a much deeper or blacker 

 shade, than on the rest of the body : the belly is 

 of a dull ochre-colour or cinereous yellow, freckled 

 with blackish spots and markings; and besides 

 these a number of black spots of diiferent sizes are 

 here and there dispersed over the whole animal. 

 The tail is somewhat thin and short in proportion 

 to the body. The scales of this species are harsh 

 and stiff, and are very strongly carinated. The 

 head is covered with small scales, and is marked 

 on its upper part by a very large longitudinal 

 patch of brown, running out into pointed pro- 

 cesses at the sides, and bounded by a space of dull 

 lead-colour or cinereous. The shape of the head 

 is broad and flattened : the cheeks are varied with 

 blackish and yellow marks. 



The animal seems to have been taken at a pe- 

 riod not far distant from that of casting its skin ; 

 since the exterior scales separate easily from the 

 subjacent ones, which then appear of a clearer 

 and lighter colour than before, the yellowish 

 variegations on the sides approaching almost to 

 whiteness, with dusky spots and marks. 



This Snake exhibits a richness and magnificence 

 in the pattern of its robe, which cannot be viewed 

 without admiration, 'though the colours separately 

 considered are far from brilliant ; and, like those 

 on the plumage of the Wryneck, produce their 

 effect from the curious manner in which they are 

 disposed and blended. 



