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THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



PsAMMOPHis TRANsvAALiENsis. Gough's Sand Snake. 



Colour — The seven middle rows of scales dark brown, tipped or edged 

 with black. The top third of the row of scales fifth from middle 

 of back, black ; lower two-thirds of fifth row and upper two- 

 thirds of sixth row, cream-coloured ; outer third of this row 

 black. The seventh and eighth rows dark brown, almost black 

 at the tips. Upper half of outer row black ; lower cream. 



A black line along each side of the vcntrals, the space between 

 the black lines yellow. Lips and chin cream, with black dots 

 and markings ; a black Une runs along the upper edge of the 

 labials, across the rostral. Upper surface of head light brown 

 with darker black-edged markings, a lighter transverse band 

 on the nape. The yellow lateral stripes originate at a short 

 distance from the head, the portion of the neck anterior to 

 them with indistinct cross bars. 



Average length — 2 feet 6 inches. 



Distribution — Transvaal. 



Fig. 53. — Head and neck of a Sand Snake, also known as a Whip Snake 

 [Psammophis /urcatus). 



PsAMMOPHis TRiGRAMMus. Namaqualand Sand Snake. 



Colour — Pale olive above, ^^ellowish posteriorly, the scales on the 

 vertebral line black-edged, forming a stripe posteriorly ; a 

 rather indistinct dark lateral stripe running along the outer 

 row of scales ; upper lip, pre- and postoculars yellowish white ; 

 lower parts and lower half of outer row of scales yellowish white, 

 the vcntrals clouded with olive in the middle. 



Average length — 3 to 4 feet. 



Distribution — Namaqualand. 



PSAMMOPHIS BocAGii. Bocage's Sand Snake. 



Colour — A broad, reddish-brown black-edged vertebral band seven 

 scales broad separated from the sides, which are grey or reddish 

 brown, by a yellow streak ; a black line along the middle of 

 the outer row of scales ; head with rather indistinct yellow, 

 black-edged cross-bars ; a black line along the upper border of 

 the labials, which are dotted with black ; lower half of outer 

 row of scales and lower parts pale yellow, with a black line on 

 each side. 



Average length — 3 feet. 



Distribution — Southern Rhodesia ; Angola. 



