488 MR. E. SYMONDS ON SOUTH-AFRICAN SNAKES. [JuilC 7, 



Head long, almond-shaped, supraorbital ridge very prominent. 



Teeth. — Upper jaw with two rows on each side ; lower jaw with 

 one row on each side. 



Pupil circular; iris light brown, with the inner edge yellow. 



Colour. — Back striped as follows — in the centre a yellow line, then 

 a brown stripe, next to that an orange one, then an olive-green 

 stripe, next to that a very clean dead-wliite one adjoining tlie belly, 

 which is greenish brown ; all the colours being very bright and 

 clear. 



Habits. — Found in the long grass, very quick in its movements ; 

 and said to kill sheep !! 



I had one of these Snakes for some time in confinement, but it 

 would not eat, though it drank a little milk ; I never saw it strike 

 or try to bite. I often handled it, and it got tame after a time. 



4. LeptodIra rufescens. 



Length 18^ inches ; from vent to tail 2| inches. 



Head heart-shaped, like a Viper's. 



Teeth. — Upper jaw with two rows on each side, at the back of the 

 exterior row a large tooth which is movable ; lower jaw with one 

 row on each side. At the back of the jaws there was a small solid 

 body rather like a gland, but I could not find a duct. 



Pupil a vertical slit. 



Colour. — Back and sides light greenish brown with fine white spots ; 

 belly dirty white. 



Habits. — Very similar to those of the Vipers ; it coils itself up, 

 making a hissing noise loud for its size ; it seems sluggish, but strikes 

 very suddenly and rapidly ; it is often found at night in little foot- 

 paths, and is hence called by the Dutch " Padlooper," or " Path- 

 walker; " it eats frog.«. 



5. Lamprophis aurora. 



Length 24 inches; from vent to tail 3^ inches. 



Head flat and blunt ; body thick and tail stumpy. 



Teeth. — Upper jaw with two rows on each side ; lower jaw with 

 one row on each side. 



Pupil circular. 



Colour. — Back olive-green, with a light yellow stripe down the 

 centre ; belly yellowish white. 



I have only seen two specimens of this Snake, both killed close to 

 the town of Kroonstad ; I know nothing of its habits. 



6. Naja haje. 



This specimen was given to me by Mr. Thomas Ayres, of Pot- 

 chefstroom ; I regret that I have never seen this species alive. 



7. Sepedon h^machates. 



Length 4 feet 2 inches ; from vent to tail 8 inches. 



