SYNOPSES AND DESCRIPTIONS. 49 
Postoculars two, small. Temporals 2+2, upper anterior small. Labials 
eight, anterior four small, fourth and fifth under the eye, sixth triangular, 
seventh and eighth very large, the last separated from the parietals by a 
pair of large temporals. Infralabials nine, fourth and fifth larger. Sub- 
mentals two pairs, subequal. Seales large, smooth, in 17 (15 to 17) very 
oblique rows, outer broad. Ventrals 206, large, broad, bent up on the 
sides. Anal entire. Subcaudals 72 pairs. 
Brown, lighter posteriorly, with faint indications of zigzag transverse 
bands of darker. These bands occupy the margins of the scales and are 
more distinct on the removal of the epiderm. Belly, chin, and throat 
little lighter than the upper portions. Brazil to Venezuela, possibly to 
Mexico, 
SPILOTES VARIABILIS. 
Dumeril & Bibron, 1854, Erp. Gén. VIT, 220. 
Long, slender, compressed; head large, long, subquadrangular in sec- 
tion across the eye, snout broad, crown slightly convex over frontal and 
parietals; tail moderately slender, less than one third of the total, taper- 
ing. Eye large, pupil round. Nostril lateral. Mouth-cleft deep, curved. 
Teeth equal, smooth. Crown-shields normal, broad.  Rostral broader 
than high, reaching the top of the snout, convex. Prefrontals bent down 
on the side of the face. Nasal divided. Loreal small. One preocular, 
large, reaching the top of the head. Postoculars two, equal. 'Temporals 
1+2. Labials nine, the anterior three with the fifth and seventh small, 
eye over the fourth, fifth, and sixth, seventh triangular, allowing the sixth 
and eighth to meet above it, eighth very large. Infralabials ten, sixth 
larger. Submentals two pairs, equal. Scales large, much imbricate on 
the sides, faintly keeled, in 15 rows (irregular, 15 to 17, if small scales 
irregularly interspersed with the larger are counted). Ventrals 220, 
broad, bent up on the sides. Anal entire. Subcaudals 121 pairs. 
Anteriorly white (yellow in life), marked with chevron bands of brown 
or black, posteriorly more dark color. Belly whitish with prolongations 
from the dorsal bands extending upon it. Head whitish, marked with 
black (a spot on each parietal and supraorbital margined with black). A 
large black spot on each side of the neck immediately behind the head. 
Total length 234 inches; tail 54 inches. Quite variable in colors and 
squamation. South and Central America to Mexico, 
Mem.—you. u—4 
