180 MR. G. KREFFT ON NEW AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. [Apr. 26, 
11 inch ; length of tail 2 inches. Abdominals 228 ; subcaudals 31 ; 
rows of scales 13. 
Hab. Manantoddy (Malabar), Rare. 
This species differs from all others of the genus in the absence of 
an anteocular shield. 
4, DrescripTion OF THREE NEw SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN 
SNAKES. By Gerarp KRrerrt. 
SIMOTES AUSTRALIS, sp. nov. 
Scales in 17 rows. Ventrals 160 to 163. Anal bifid. Sub- 
caudals 18/18. Total length 113"; tail 1’. 
Av Ki 
cn 
Sanne 
Body cylindrical, rounded; head short, conical, not distinct from 
neck ; tail short, ending in a blunt point. Rostral shield much pro- 
duced, flat in front, pointed behind, reaching backwards to between 
the anterior frontals, slightly grooved at its base. Two nasals, 
nostrils between, one anterior, two posterior oculars ; two temporals 
(in one specimen a third smaller one behind). Eye small; pupil 
subelliptical, erect; no loreal, replaced by the posterior nasal and 
anterior ocular; six upper labials, the third and fourth coming into 
the orbit ; occipitals short, not much rounded behind, and but slightly 
forked. The general colour is red, very bright on the posterior part 
of the body and tail; all the scales are slightly margined, some, much 
darker than others, have a whitish (in spirits) spot in the middle, 
and form into a series of half rings, of which there are about fifty- 
six upon the body and tail. The head is covered by a black band 
across the occiput, leaving the snout free, commencing from below 
the eye, and marking the fourth and fifth upper labials, the vertical, 
and nearly the whole of the occipitals; this black band is divided 
from a second band covering the neck by a whitish space. 
I believe the present species is the first Simotes discovered in 
Australia; and I am much indebted to Dr. James C. Cox, who 
found it in the neighbourhood of Port Curtis. A second specimen, 
taken on the banks of the Clarence River, was given to me a few 
days ago by Judge Francis. 
HoPpLocerHaLvs RAMSAY], sp. nov. 
Seales in 15 rows, Anal bifid. Ventrals 164. Subcaudals 51. ~ 
Total length 103”; tail 2". 
