1888.] OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. 89 



pentagonal, only a little longer than broad, and broader tliau the 

 supraocular ; parietals as long as the pr<3efcontals and frontal 

 together ; nasal forming a short suture with the prseocular ; two 

 postoculars, lower largest ; seven upper labials, third and fourth 

 entering the e^'e, first smallest, sixth largest ; seven lower labials, 

 four in contact with the chin-shields, fourth and sixth largest ; one 

 temporal in the first row, two in the second, three in the third. 

 Scales in 15 or 17 rows; ventrals 165 to 171 ; anal divided; sub- 

 caudals single, 38 to 48. Upper surface of tail with a more or less 

 complete series of transversely enlarged scales. Head and sides 

 usually reddish, dorsal region dark brown ; some or all of the scales 

 with a black border ; tail black ; some specimens nearly entirely 

 black, others with traces of black transverse bands ; ventrals yellow, 

 on the hind part of the body with dark brown or black margin. 



Numerous specimens ; the largest measures one metre, in which 

 the tail enters for 14 centim. 



HoPLOCEPHALUS WOODFORDI, Sp. n. 



This species agrees in every respect with the preceding, save that 

 the scales are somewhat longer, and the subcaudals (with the 

 exception of the first and third) double. Scales 17; ventrals 166; 

 anal divided ; subcaudals 45. Head dark brown ; body brownish 

 white, each scale with a blackish-brown border, forming a reticulate 

 pattern ; lower parts white, subcaudals with dark brown border. 

 Total length 67 centira., in which the tail enters for 10. A single 

 specimen. 



Considering that this species, in spite of its divided subcaudals, is 

 extremely closely allied to the preceding, as well as to H. par ' and 

 Pseudechis porphyriaca, I have not the slightest hesitation in 

 referring it to the genus Hoplocephalus. It is clear to me that, in 

 these elapoid forms, the character of divided or single subcaudals 

 cannot be employed in defining genera, not more than in the genus 

 Bothrops. Nor can I regard the division or non-division of the 

 anal as a generic character. 



A complete list of the Reptiles and Batrachians of the Solom.on 

 Group is appended to this note, with a table showing their distribu- 

 tion in the various islands which have been explored, their presence 

 being indicated by a*. An asterisk prefixed to the name, signifies that 

 a species is, according to present information, restricted to this group 

 of islands. The table well shows the considerable difference between 

 the fauna of the two extreme islands, viz. Faro and San Christoval, 

 the former exhibiting, chiefly in the abundance and variety of 

 Batrachian life, a more Papuasiau, the latter a more Polynesian 

 character. 



^ The statement in my description (Tr. Z. S. xii. p. 46), that the subcaudals 

 are in pairs, is a lapsus ; tliey are all simple. 



