56 ON THE SNAKES OF SYDNEY, 



short, distinct from trunk, and ending in a conical spine or nail 

 about a quarter of an inch long. 



Scales in 15 rows (not in 13, as mentioned by Dr. Giinther, 

 whose description as Diemenia cucullaia, was taken from a very 

 bad specimen) ; 6 upper labials, the third and fourth forming the 

 lower edge of the orbit, the second labial not in contact with the 

 posterior frontal ; rostral broad, low, very obtuse superiorly ; 

 shields of the head regular, all more or less rounded posteriorly, 

 and slightly imbricate, vertical twice as long as broad ; one anterior 

 and two posterior oculars, one temporal in contact with both 

 oculars, four or five scale-like temporals behind ; eye very small, 

 pupil elliptical and erect. 



About 3 years ago in 1860 I captured a single individual 

 of this species ; since then, owing to the exertions of friends in 

 the country, specimens from Ash Island, Hunter River, Port 

 Macquarie, the Clarence River, and other localities have been 

 received, so that its geographical range has been ascertained 

 for many hundred miles ^jpng the east coast. This snake is 

 strictly nocturnal in its habits, sluggish and of gentle disposition, 

 never offering to bite when handled, and though venomous, it is 

 so in a very slight degree only, as has been proved by experi- 

 ments ; its length seldom, if ever, exceeds 20 inches. Rocky and 

 desolate places are frequented by it, and in such localities it is 

 occasionally found under fiat stones during the cold season. 



VERMICELLA. Gray. 



VEBMICELLA ANNULATA 



The Ringed Vermicella. 



Scales in 15 rows. 

 Ventrals 225. 

 Anal bifid. 

 Subcaudals 18/18. 



The following is Dr. Giinther's description : "Body elongate, 

 rounded, slightly compressed behind; tail very short; head 



