566 



BLACK-BACKED HYDRUS. 



Hydrus Bi color. 77. capite oblongo, corpore supra nigro, infra 

 Jlavidoy cauda maculosa. 



Hydrus with oblong head, body black above and yellowish be- 

 neath, with spotted tail. 



Hydrus bicolor. Schneid. Amph. \. p. 24-0. 



Anguis Platura. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 391. 



Nixboa Quanquecolla, seu serpens rara Mexicana cauda lata, 

 Seb. 2. p. SO. t.H.f. 1. 



Nalla Wahlagillee Pam. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 47. ;;/. 41. 



THIS species is readily distinguished by the re- 

 markable distribution of its colours; the head and 

 upper parts being of a deep black, the lower parts 

 pale yellow, and the tail spotted : along the sides 

 runs a row of smaller scales than the rest, and of 

 a brighter yellow : the head is black, and is of an 

 elongated form in front, bulging behind, subcon- 

 vex above, and a little compressed laterally : it is 

 covered with large scales : the mouth is wide ; the 

 teeth small and numerous, there being a marginal 

 and two palatal rows in the upper jaw : the body 

 is compressed, and the back highly carinated : the 

 scales orbicular and very minute : the general 

 length about two feet and a half; the tail about 

 three inches. It is a native of the Indian seas, 

 and is said to be common near the coasts of the 

 island of Otaheitee, where it is called by the name 

 of Etoona-toree, and is used as an article of food. 



