THE SOLID-TOOTHED SNAKES. 



8i 



Sub-family COLUBRIN^E. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN GENERA. 



This sub-family are without grooved fangs in the upper jaw. Their teeth 

 are quite solid. No trace of poison glands. 



1. Genus Tropidonotus. — Scales smooth in 19 rows. Pupil round; 



posterior maxillary teeth longest ; internasal not entering the 

 nostril ; snout rounded. 



2. Genus Pseudaspis. — Scales smooth in 27 to 31 rows ; internasal 



entering the nostril ; snout with vertical sides, more or less 

 prominent. Pupil round. Posterior maxillary teeth longest. 



Fig. 37. — Skull and teeth of a typical snake of the non-venomous division 

 (Aglypha). 



1. Skull showing the teeth in both jaws, all of which are without grooves. 



2. Top of the skull and lower jaw (C). 



3. View of roof of mouth showing the two rows of upper teeth. 



(A.) Maxillary teeth. (B.) Palatine teeth. (Brit. Mus. Cat. Snakes.) 



Genus Ablabophis. — Scales smooth, in 19 rows ; Pupil vertically 



elliptic ; anal entire. Frontal at least once and a half as long 



as broad ; maxillary teeth equal. 

 Genus Lamprophis. — Scales smooth, in 19 to 23 rows ; frontal broad 



and short ; posterior maxillary teeth shortest ; Pupil vertically 



elliptic or sulD-elliptic. Anal entire. 

 Genus Boodon. — Scales smooth in 23 to 33 rows, with apical pits; 



anterior maxillary teeth strongly enlarged. Vertically elhptic 



pupil. 18 to 24 maxillary teeth. 

 Genus Lycophidium. — Scales smooth, with apical pits in 15 or 17 



rows. Tail short (sub-caudals not more than 50 pairs). Pupil 



vertically elliptic ; rostral small ; anterior maxillary teeth longest. 



G 



