1861.] DR. A. GiJNTHER ON A NEW PLECTROPOMA. 391 



hydrus, a species from Western Asia. Those who prefer to con- 

 sider the Chinese Tropidonotus as a separate specific form may call 

 it Trop. orientalis, with the following characters : — 



" Tropidonotus orientalis. 



"Scales in 19 rows, strongly keeled; upper labials seven, the third 

 and fourth entering the orbit ; two anterior and three or four poste- 

 terior oculars ; anterior frontals not pointed, ratlier obtuse in front. 

 Greenish olive, with three series of black spots anteriorly, becoming 

 very indistinct on the middle of the trunk ; a black subcrescentic 

 spot on each side of the neck, without yellow ; posterior margins 

 of the upper labials and a spot on the temple black. Belly more 

 or less blackish. Three temporal shields, the anterior of which is 

 the largest, in contact with two oculars. Ventral shields 152, anal 

 bifid; subcaudals 64. 



" Hab. N. China (Swinhoe). 



" The second species of Snakes from Pekin is Elaphis dione, and 

 the specimens do not show any difference from an individual from 

 the Caucasus." 



Dr. Giinther exhibited some Charrs from different localities in 

 England, Wales, and Ireland. He considered the Irish species 

 undescribed, and proposed to call it Salmo grayii ; but promised 

 further particulars at a subsequent meeting. 



Mr. Eartlett exhibited a specimen of a young Polar Bear born in 

 the Society's Menagerie, and made some remarks in confirmation of 

 his observations as contained in a communication to the Society on 

 a previous occasion (see P. Z. S. 1860, p. 130). 



The Rev. H. B. Tristram exhibited a Snake from Pekin (referred 

 by Dr. Giinther to Bungarus fasciatus) and a series of Pipits, which 

 seemed to lead him to the conclusion that the Anthus spinoletta 

 of the Continent (if a good species) occurred also in England. 



The following papers were read : — 



1, On a New Species of Plectropoma from Australia. 

 By Dr. Albert Giinther. 



(Plate XXXVIII.) 



Plectropoma richardsonii. 



D. ^. A. l- L. lat. 10.5. 



The height of the body is contained four times and a half in the 

 total length, the length of the head three times and a quarter. Inter- 

 orbital space concave, half as wide as the orbit. Snout conical, with 

 the lower jaw produced. Cleft of the mouth wide, the maxillary 

 extending behind the orbit. Dentition very strong ; the upper jaw 

 with a patch of cardiform teeth in front, and a narrow villiform band 



