18G3.] 



MR. E. D. COPE ON A NEW SPECIES OF VIPERA. 



229 



These last two species differ from the typical form of this genus 

 in their much smaller size and in the absence of a supraorbital 

 shield. As, however, they have the same compressed tail, I prefer 

 keeping them in this genus to making a new genus for them. 



2. On a Species of Vipera hitherto unknown. 

 By E. D. Cope. 



Vipera confluenta, sp. nov. 



Head much longer than broad, covered with small scales, which 

 are more or less keeled as far anterior as the postfrontal region. 

 Superciliaries little developed, once or many times divided. Scales 

 of the upper surface of the muzzle larger ; a well-developed supra- 

 nasal. Prenasal large, erect, undivided ; postnasal developed in 

 front of, and narrowly superior to, the nostril. Three rows of scales 

 between the orbits and the superior labials. The latter are eleven in 

 number, the fourth longest, the first in contact with the prenasal. 

 Rostral higher than broad. Inferior labials fourteen, fifth largest. 

 Scales of the body in 25 rows, all keeled, never spiniferous. Gastro- 

 steges 180 ; urosteges 48. Length from muzzle to rictus li inch, 

 from muzzle to vent 30g inches, from vent to end of tail 4f inches. 



General ground-colour brownish yellow ; belly paler. A broad 

 undulating brown band, resembling a confluence of alternate rounded 

 spots, extends from the nape to the end of the tail. A dark brown 

 lateral streak, which is interrupted at regular intervals, extends 



throughout the greater part of the length. Labial regions yellowish; 

 a brown baud from orbit to angle of mouth ; a brown spot below 

 orbit. 



