1895.] 



BATBACHIANS FBOM ADEN. 



655 



Gilgit, and Ladak the numbers vary from 225 to 246, and in Trans- 

 caspia the variation is about the same. These facts would seem 

 to indicate that certain geographical areas are characterized by 

 variation more or less restricted within numerical limits distinctive 

 of each area. 



" This I believe to be the commonest snake found in Aden. I 

 had several specimens given me from various sources." 



18. PSAMMOPHIS LACBTMANS, ReUSS. 



? Coluber schokari, Forskal, Descr. An. &c. 1775, p. viii et p. 14. 



Coluber lacrymans, Eeuss, Mus. Senck. ii. 1834, p. 139. 



Psammophis puactatus, D. & B. Erpet. Gen. vii. 1854, p. 896, 

 Atlas, pi. 77. fig. 2, skull. 



Psammophis sibilciiis, var. hierosolimitana, Jan, Icon. Gen. livr. 34, 

 Mars 1870, pi. iii. fig. 2. . . 



Psammopliis sibilans,Ya,r. quadrilmeata, Jan, op. cit. livr. 34, tig. 1. 



1 S • Haithalhim. 



1 2 . Shaikh Othman. 



The tail of the male is imperfect, but the injured extremity has 

 become covered by a remarkably ungulate-like scale, forming a 

 sheath to the tip, and keeled on its upper surface. 



On the right side of the male the first nasal is nearly wholly 

 confluent with the rostral, an abnormality I have never before 

 observed in any serpent, and Mr. Boulenger, in his wide experience, 

 has never met with it. This specimen belongs to the variety 

 which is uniformly coloured brownish olive, with generally a dark 

 spot on each scale, the under surface being finely pnnctulated with 

 blackish and reddish, most pronounced along the mesial area of the 

 ventrals, with a black spot generally on the angle of each. 



The second specimen belongs to the lineated variety. 



This is the first record of the occurrence of this species in the 

 Aden district. 



" Appears to be fairly common inland." 



