140 Mr. G. A. Boulenger on new 



contains two specimens of this very rare snake, of which only 

 one well -authenticated specimen from Mozambique was 

 known. The largest of the two measures 69 centim. in 

 length and 28 millim. in diameter — as great a size as attained 

 by any known Typhlops. 



Homalosoma variegatum^ Peters. 



This species was known from a single specimen from 

 Inhambane, Mozambique. Several specimens obtained by 

 M. De Coster at Delagoa Bay belong to two colour- varieties, 

 one of which is identical with the type figured by Peters. 

 The new variety is characterized by the pale olive-brown 

 colour of the upper parts^ with a series of large black spots ; 

 the anterior of these spots are the largest and transverse ; 

 they gradually diminish in size and alternate towards the end 

 of the body, and finally become confluent into a median line 

 on the tail. 



Pythonodipsas carinata^ Gthr. 



Pythonodipsas carinata, Giinth., Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. [41 i. 1868, 

 p. 426, pi. xix. fig. K. 



The rediscovery of this snake, of which but a single speci- 

 men, from the Zambesi, was on record, is of great interest. 

 The unique specimen obtained by Mr. Peringuey in Damara- 

 land differs from the type in some trifling points, and from 

 its being in a perfect state of preservation 'deserves descrip- 

 tion. 



Snout truncate, concave above ; nostril pierced vertically 

 between two shields, the nasal and the internasal ; a pair of 

 large prcefrontals and a pair of small shields between the 

 latter and the frontal ; eye surrounded by nine or tan shields, 

 viz. the supraocular, which is as large as the frontal, a pra3- 

 ocular, and seven or eight small equal shields ; loreals 1 -|- 1 

 -}-2; temporals small and numerous; parietals broken up 

 into small shields ; nine upper labials ; six lower labials in 

 contact with the mentals, of which there are two pairs, the 

 front pair as long as and broader than the hind pair. Scales 

 in twenty-one rows, smooth, feebly keeled on tlie hnider part 

 of the body and on the tail. Ventrals 192; anal entire; 

 subcaudals 55. Pale buff above, with a double alternating- 

 series of square, grey, black-edged spots, a few of which 

 coalesce to form transverse bars ; lips with vertical grey bars ; 

 lower parts white. 



Total length ^17 millim. ; tail Q'd. 



