162 MR. G. A. BOTJLBNGER ON BBPTIIiES [Peb. 21, 



large ones, as observed by Dr. Gunther in two from Shanghai, the 

 scales being practically in 8 series. 



Fig. 2. 



Chin of Tachydromus septentrionalis, showing unusual number of shields. 



5. Ltgosoma indicum; G-ray. 



11 specimens. 



34 or 36 sqales round the middle of the body. 



6. Ltgosoma lateeale Say (eeetesii Gray). 



A single specimen, with 26 scales round the middle of the 

 body. 



7. EUMECES ILEGANS Blgr. 



Numerous specimens. 



The characters on which this species has been founded appear 

 to be perfectly constant. Adult males have the sides of the head 

 and neck of a bright vermilion, which colour is continued on the 

 side of the body as more or less distinctly defined stripes above 

 and below the light streak extending from the ear. The largest 

 specimen measures 93 millim. from snout to vent. 



Ophidia. 

 8. PoLYODONTOPHis coLLARis Gray. 



Two specimens. 



These specimens agree with the one from Ichang described by 

 Gunther as Ahlahen chinensis (Ann. & Mag. N. H. [6] iv. 1889, 

 p. 220) in having the eighth upper labial excluded from the labial 

 margin, thus constituting a lower anterior temporal — a character 

 which I have found to be inconstant in Polyodontophis suh-punc- 

 tatus and P. bistrigatus, and which I expect would likewise break 

 down if a larger number of Chinese specimens could be examined. 



The larger specimen has 184 ventrals and the tail is imperfect ; 

 the other has 178 ventrals and 110 snbcaudals. 



