BUCEPHALUS VIPJDIS. 



extremity, with a faint carina along its centre, the lateral ones oblong, each 

 with an obtuse angular or semilunar point, and a carina extending from the 

 base, and terminating on the upper edge of the scale before reaching its 

 apex ; the two scales of each row nearest to the abdominal plates broad and 

 subtriangular, the points rounded, and the longitudinal carina with which 

 each is marked terminates on its lower edge behind its point. The scales 

 on the tail are short, broad, distinctly imbricate, and somewhat five-sided, 

 characters which they retain to its extremity ; abdominal plates, 181 ; sub- 

 caudal scales, 101 in each row. 



Unless when the skin is distended, the scales of the transverse rows overlap 

 each other so much, that only the inner edge of each is left uncovered ; at such 

 times the scales appear linear. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Feet. Inches. 

 Length from the tip of the nose to the extremity of the tail... 4 9 



Length of the tail 1 2 



Circumference of the thickest part of the body 3 



The only specimen of this species which we obtained was found near to Old Latakoo, and at 

 the time of its discovery was in a half torpid state, and coiled up among some dry grass which 

 was interweaved with the slender branches of a small shrub. According to the natives, it 

 ascends trees to rob the nests of birds, and its occurrence is by no means rare in that country 

 during the summer season. Although a celebrated Herpetologist has expressed his belief* that 

 snakes with the general characters of the species just described, ought to be retained in his 

 genus Dendrophis, yet it appears to me that their position in it would be equally inappropriate, 

 as it would be in the restricted genus Coluber. Besides the species now described, there are at 

 least four others inhabiting South Africa ; and though they have been regarded by the author 

 just alluded to as only varieties of one species, nevertheless, I am more convinced at present 

 than when I submitted descriptions of them to the public,f that each ought to be regarded as 

 distinct from the others. Supposing Bucephalus typicus, Bellii, gutturalis and Jardinii, to 

 be only varieties of one species, how are we to explain the circumstances of their being all 

 found in a similar climate and in similar descriptions of country, yet, nevertheless, in very 

 different localities, and each propagating individuals like itself, which as far as we know never 

 vary. In proportion as our knowledge of the more intricate details in the scheme of nature 

 becomes extended, it will probably be discovered that each genus is regulated to a certain 

 extent upon a plan peculiar to itself, and that in some genera the distribution of colours, not 

 less than the peculiar tints, will furnish excellent specific distinctions. As regards Bucephalus, 

 I feel disposed to consider it one of such genera. 



* Physionomie des Serpens par H. Schlegel, page 238. Hague, 1837. 

 r Zoological Journal, Vol. iv. page 441, May 1829. 



