The Flat-nosed Snakes 



The scalation of the head generally .-apart from the unusual 

 development of the nose-plate is interesting and different 

 from the majority of colubrine snakes of this country. Between 

 the eye and the upper lip plates (superior labials') is a row of 

 small scales. There are two or three plates in front of the eye 

 (supraoculars) and two to four loreal plates. 



BROWN'S FLAT-NOSED SNAKE 

 Pbyllorbyncbus browni, (Stejneger) 



Size small and the body slender; head but slightly distinct. 

 The scales on the forward portion of the body are very faintly 

 keeled; on the latter portion the carination is distinct. Tail 

 short about one-eighth the total length. 



Colouration. Whitish or pale yellow, with fifteen brown 

 blotches on the back which are paler in their centres. Abdomen 

 white. There is a dark bar across the head between the eyes. 



No spots on the sides. 



Dimensions. Total length 13 inches; tail if inches. 



Distribution. But two specimens are known. Both were 

 taken near Tucson, Arizona. 



Habits. Nothing is known of the habits. It appears to 

 be a desert animal. 



THE PENINSULA FLAT-NOSED SNAKE 

 Pbyllorbyncbus decurtatus, (Cope) 



Differs from the preceding reptile in having smooth scales 

 and a shorter tail about one-twelfth the total length ; also in the 

 colouration. 



Colouration. Whitish or pale yellow, with about thirty - 

 dark blotches on the back and one or two rows of spots on the sides. 



Dimensions. Total length 15! inches; tail if inches. 



Distribution. Lower California and south-western Arizona. 

 But three specimens have been collected and of these only a 

 single individual has been taken within the United States at 

 Yuma, Arizona, 



