S24 Mr. Bell on Leptophina. — Dryinus. 



moveable. In Leptophis the rostrum is obtuse, and the upper 

 jaw projects but very slightly beyond the lower. 



Of the first genus there are three species now known in the 

 old continent and as many in the new ; for the whole of those 

 inhabiting India we are indebted to Dr. Russell, in whose work 

 they are figured. Of the three American species, one was de- 

 scribed by Catesby, a second has lately been discovered in 

 Brazil, by that indefatigable investigator M. Spix, and the third 

 I have very recently received with some other serpents from 

 Mexico. 



Familia. ColubridvE. 

 ? Subfam. Leptophina. 



Caput elongatum, antice attenuatum, postice latum, scutis novem 

 antice tectum. Oculi magni. Oris rictus peramplus, unda- 

 tus. Denies in maxillis et palato ; tela nulla. Corpus gra- 

 cillimum, subdepressum. Cauda longissima, tenuis, apice 

 acuta. Squamce dorsales ovales, elongatae, laxae ; caudales 

 minimae, confertae. Scuta abdominalia longissima. Scutella 

 subcaudalia parva, sublndistincta. 



Head elongate, broad behind, narrowed before ; the anterior 

 part covered with nine scuta. Eyes large. Gape wide, some- 

 what waved. Maxillary and palatine teeth; no poisonous fangs. 

 Body very slender, slightly depressed, tail very long, slender, the 

 point acute. Dorsal scales oval, elongate, loose ; caudal scales 

 very small, closely arranged. Abdominal scuta very * long; sub* 

 caudal scuta small, indistinct. 



Genus. Dryinus. Merrem. 

 Char. Gen. Maxilla superior inferiore multo longior. Rostrum 

 attenuatum, apice acuto vel subacuto, in nunnullis speciebus 

 mucronato, mobili. 



Upper jaw much longer than the lower. Rostrum very narrow, 

 more or less acute at the apex, which in some species is distinctly 

 mucronate and moveable. 



* Vide note p. 323. 



