BY GEEAED KEEFFT. 45 



1859. Pseudoelaps sordeUii. Jan in Rev. and Magaz. Zool. 



pi. C. (head). 



1859. Pseudcelaps kubinyi, Jan, 1. c. (founded on an accidental 

 variety) C. (young). 



1858. Diemansia annulata, Giinth. Colubr. Snak., p. 2 B. 

 1862. Furina textilis, Kreffb, Proc. Zool. Soc. p. 149." 



The geographical range of this species extends over almost 

 every part of Australia, as I have seen specimens from Cape York, 

 Adelaide, the Murray, and other localities. When full grown, 

 this Snake may be dangerous to man ; in its habits it is diurnal, 

 and found generally in rocky localities ; young Snakes are fre- 

 quently found under stones during the cold season, while those of 

 a more mature age retire into the ground. 



BRACHYSOMA. Gimther. 

 Brachysoma diadema. Gilnther. 

 The Red-Capped Snake. 



Scales in 15 rows. 

 Anal bifid. 

 Ventrals 175. 

 Subcaudals ? 



Body elongate and rounded ; head flat, distinct from neck ; 

 muzzle broad and obtuse ; rostral high, slightly grooved, reaching 

 to surface of crown ; one nasal pierced by the " large nostril ; 

 anterior oculars triangular, posterior one much larger, five-sided 

 and bent down on the sides ; occipitals moderate, rounded, 

 scarcely forked behind ; 6 upper labials, the third and fourth 

 forming the orbit ; eye small, pupil sub-elliptical, erect. Two 

 temporal shields, the upper in contact with both post oculars, 

 the lower much larger, wedged in between the last two labials. 



Above, purplish brown, each scale with yellow centre very 

 distinct in the first 4 or 5 rows on each side ; head and neck 

 black above, except a lunated spot just behind the occiput, which 

 is brick-red, and turns white in spirits. 



Beneath yellowish, front of lower jaw with a black spot. 



