44 SYNOPSES AND DESCRIPTIONS. 
small, in a notch between the third and fourth labials; upper large, 
reaching the frontal. Postoculars two. (In this specimen there is a 
large temporal between the truncate parietals and the posterior labials, 
and in front of it there are three small ones, two of which are in contact 
with the orbitals.) Labials eight, fourth and fifth entering the orbit, last 
two larger. Infralabials ten, fifth large. Submentals two pairs, subequal. 
Scales moderate, smooth, in 17 rows, outer broader. Ventrals broad, 
191—198. Anal bifid, occasionally entire. Subcaudals 80—108 pairs. 
Reddish-brown, more red below, lateral edges of scales lighter, each 
scale with a brown line through its middle, darkening toward the tip. 
On the hinder portion of the body each scale has a light spot at its base, 
and the margin is brown. Head brown, more or less yellow or mottled’ 
with yellow. Labials, chin, and throat yellow, more or less blotched with 
brown. Usually there are two rows of brown spots on the shields of the 
throat, sometimes extending under the body. In a specimen stripped of 
the epiderm there are indistinct narrow transverse lines of darker on the 
back. Total length 47 inches; tail 124 inches. Arkansas to Mexico. 
var. AURIGULUS. 
Drymopstius AvurIGuLUS Cope, 1861, Pr. Ac. N. Se., Phil., 301. 
Crown flat, muzzle elongate. Eye moderate. Rostral plate rounded, 
prominent, recurved above. Frontal elongate, posteriorly half as wide 
as each supraciliary, not in contact with the preocular. Parietals elon- 
gate. Nasals and loreal very long, the latter encroaching much on the 
preocular. Three pre, two postoculars. Labials eight, fourth and fifth 
entering the orbit; the last equal in length and elevation to the penulti- 
mate, Infralabials ten, fifth largest. Anterior submentals shorter. Seales 
in 17 rows. 
Brown, darkening anteriorly. Head-plates light brown, shaded with 
yellow. A narrow yellow band around the muzzle from eye to eye. Tem- 
poral region and postoculars each with a spot.  Labials, chin, and anterior 
portion of abdomen bright golden, as also the sides of the neck to the fifth 
row of scales. On the second and third rows of scales of the neck there 
is a black band, interrupted at intervals of about seven scales. It finally 
becomes continuous, and with a band on the first row almost excludes the 
ground color from the posterior and middle parts of the body. Abdomen 
dirty yellowish. Cape St. Lucas, Lower Cal. 
