LYCODON GEOMETRICUS. 



Form, &c. — Head depressed, subtriangular. Body subcylindrical, and 

 tapered from the middle toward each extremity ; the decrease in thickness 

 towards the head is but trifling, while in the opposite direction it is very con- 

 siderable. The head is slightly broader than the body, and the neck is more 

 flattened than the portions behind it. The tail is pointed, its under surface 

 flat, and its upper semi-cylindrical. The scales towards the head are long, 

 narrow, and six-sided; about the middle they are much broader and shorter, 

 but still somewhat six-sided, which is also the figure of those of the tail and 

 body near to it. The anterior teeth of the maxillary row and also those of the 

 lower jaw considerably longer than the hinder ones. Greatest thickness of 

 the largest specimen I have seen about that of a man's thumb. Abdominal 

 plates, 208. Subcaudal scales, 71 in each row. 



DIMENSIONS. 



In. Lines. 



Length from the front of the nose to the anus 26 



of the tail G 6 



Circumference at thickest part 2 8 



This snake, which is rarely seen in South Africa, resorts to dry and arid situations ; its move- 

 ments are moderately quick, and its food, at least a part of it, consists of lizards. 



