362 Dr. A. Giinther on new Species of Snakes 



Pseudechis australis. 

 Naja australis. Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 55. 



We have received a second specimen of this Snake from the 

 College of Surgeons, which agrees in all respects with the 

 typical specimen; so that every doubt is removed as to its 

 specific distinctness from P. porphyriacus^. 



The diagnoses for the two species would be as follows : — 



1. Pseudechis porphyriaca, Shaw. Black above, each scale of 

 the outer series red at the base, and black at the tip ; ventral 

 shields with black posterior margins. Ventrals 184-191 ; most 

 of the subcaudal shields in pairs. S.W. Australia. 



2. Pseudechis australis {Naja australis, Gray) . Uniform light 

 brown above, and yellowish below. Ventrals 214-221 ; only a 

 few of the last subcaudals in pairs. N.E. Australia. 



Hoplocephalus nigriceps. 



Scales in fifteen rows ; upper parts of the head and nape of the 

 neck uniform black. 



Body of moderate length ; head rather depressed ; tail short ; 

 eye small, with vertical pupil ; snout broad. Vertical shield 

 five-sided, two-thirds as broad as long ; two postoculars ; six 

 upper labials, the third and fourth of which enter the orbit ; 

 temporals 2 + 2 -f 3 ; only the upper of the two anterior tem- 

 porals is in contact with the postoculars, the lower being in- 

 tercalated between the fifth and sixth labials. The anterior pair 

 of lower labials are large, as large as the front chin-shield. 

 Ventrals 154; subcaudals 29. Uniform brownish olive above, 

 each scale being lighter at the tip. Upper parts of the head and 

 nape uniform black ; lower parts whitish, immaculate. 



Total length 16 inches, the head measuring 6| lines, and the 

 tail 2 inches. This species is probably from Australia, like its 

 congeners, but from what part we do not know. 



Hoplocephalus minor. 



Scales in fifteen rows ; vertical shield not .quite twice as long 

 as broad ; temporals 2 -f- 2 -f 2. Uniform olive-brown above, 

 yellowish below. 



This species is similar to H. superbus, but it remains much 

 smaller. The head is rather small, of moderate length and width, 

 not depressed. The lower of the two anterior temporals is small, 

 smaller than the last labial. The chin-shields of the posterior 

 pair are separated from each other by scales. Ventral shields 

 125-128 {H. superbus, 148-153) ; subcaudals 59 in the male, 



« See Giiiith. Col. Snak. p. 218. 



