86 BULLETIN OF THE 



the rostral at the lateral angles and on the top. Rostral v^ry high, rather more 

 than twice as high as broad, extending considerably above the general surface 

 of the head, forming the anterior face of the bony protuberance. Crown cov- 

 ered with keeled scales, of which there are eight series between the supracilia- 

 ries. Supraciliaries large, elongate, entire. Anterior portion of nasal twice as 

 large as posterior, upper angle acute. Pit surrounded by three scales, neither 

 of which enters the orbit. Anteorbitals two, lower small, upper large and 

 separated by two plates from those on the sides of the knob on the snout. 

 Below the eye a large plate rests on the fourth labial ; between this and tlie 

 sujiraciliary there are five small orbitals, decreasing in size backward. Labials 

 eight to nine, narrow, third and fourth largest, posterior four bounded above 

 by as many large smooth scales. Infralabials twelve, anterior largest, in con- 

 tact with its opposite behind the mental. A pair of short, broad submentals, 

 followed by others more scale-like. Scales carinate, in 23 rows, vertebral nar- 

 row, outer row broad, faintly keeled. Ventrals 151, broad. Subcaudals 38 

 pairs. 



Yellowish brown, punctulate with brown ; yellowish below. Back with a 

 series of subquadrate light-edged spots of brown (37), more or less often 

 divided on the vertebral row into two series, which alternate posteriorly. 

 Flank with two alternating series of smaller, less distinct blotches. Lower 

 ilank and abdomen with flecks and punctulations of bro^Ti. Seven spots on 

 the tail. A band from the nostril, through the eye, to the angle of the mouth. 

 A blotch on the prefrontal region. A pair of spots on the parietal region 

 diverge posteriorly, tlien approach again on the nape. Posterior labials with 

 brown margins. Chin clouded with brown. Coloration closely resembling that 

 of light-colored specimens of Heterodon ]jlahjr]iinus. 



Ehinocerophis agrees in pit, fangs, squamation, bifid subcaudals, and mi- 

 nor characters, with Cophias Merr. (Bothrops Wagler), in which it might be 

 placed as a subgenus. It differs in the rostral protuberance, the consequent 

 upward extension of the rostral shield, and great development of the caudal 

 spine. 



The specimen described was secured by the " Hassler " Expedition at Puerto 

 San Antonio, Eastern Patagonia. The jar in which it is kept bore the name 

 Bothrops nasiis, for which I am unable to find authority or description. 



Rhinichthys meleagris Aoassiz, 1854, Am. Jour. Sci. 357. 



D. 2 + 8 ; A. 2 + 7 ; V. 8 ; P. 14 ; L. Ion. 71 (70-76) ; L. trans. 11 -f- 1 -f 10. 



Teeth 4.2 — 2.4, compressed, uncinate. 



Body moderately stout. Head broad behind, narrowing rapidly in front. 

 Snout blunt. Length of head more than four times, and depth of body five to 

 five ami one half times in the total length, without caudal. Eye small, diam- 

 eter of orbit less than twice in length of snout or width of interorbital space. 

 Mouth somewhat oblique, close to the end of the snout. Jaws nearly equal. 



