286 Dr. A. Giinther on some Species of Tree- Snakes. 



fourth and fifth entering the orbit ; temporal shields 2 + 2 + 2; 

 two are sometimes united into one. Anal bifid ; ventral shields 

 151-168; subcaudals 114-126. Scales smooth, in fifteen rows, 

 without apical groove. Teeth longest behind, in a continuous 

 series. Green, skin between the scales black, each scale with a 

 white spot on the basal half of its outer margin. Port Natal, 

 and probably Cape Colony. 



Ahcetulla heterolepidota. 



Ventral shields with very faint lateral keels; upper labials 

 seven or eight, the third, fourth, and fifth, or the fourth, fifth, 

 and sixth, entering the orbit ; one anteocular, two postoculars ; 

 six of the lower labials are in contact with the chin-shields ; 

 temporal shields 1 + 1. Ventral shields 187; anal bifid; sub- 

 caudals 125. The scales are smooth, without groove, and with 

 minute longitudinal striae (these striae are lost when the epi- 

 dermis has gone ofi") ; they are arranged in fifteen series in the 

 anterior half of the trunk, and in eleven in the posterior. The 

 posterior maxillary teeth longest, in a subcontinuous series with 

 the others. Head small ; neck very slender ; body and tail 

 slender. Uniform greenish-olive. 



A single specimen, marked "Africa," has been purchased; it 

 is 26 inches long, the head measuring | in., the tail 8| in. 



Ahcetulla hoplogaster. 



Ventral shields without any trace of lateral keels; upper 

 labials eight, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit ; one ante- 

 ocular, two postoculars ; six of the lower labials are in contact 

 with the chin- shield s ; temporal shields 1 + 1. Ventral shields 

 150-156; anal bifid; subcaudals 94-105. The scales are 

 smooth, without groove, arranged in fifteen series anteriorly, 

 and in eleven posteriorly. The posterior maxillary teeth longest, 

 in a continuous series with the others. Head rather small, 

 body and tail moderately slender. Green, skin between the 

 scales black, each scale with a white spot on the basal half of 

 its outer margin. 



This Snake appears to be more common at Port Natal than 

 A. natalensis. An adult specimen is 26 inches long, the head 

 measuring | in., the tail 9 in. 



B. On a new South American Species o/Ahsetulla. 

 Ahatulla nitida. 

 Scales in fifteen rows, smooth, minutely striated, without 



this also is tbe number shown in the figure of the entire Snake contained 

 in Sir A. Smith's work. On the same plate, however, a separate drawing 

 is given of the same specimen, showing nine upper labials : we cannot help 

 thinking that thig was an accidental variation of the normal number, that 

 specimen having had eignt labials on one side, and nine on the other. 



