3b0 



of the family of Lycodontidce, a family which contains either Ground- 

 snakes, or forms only slightly approaching to that structure which 

 indicates the capahility of climbing trees, entirely transformed into a 

 very Tree-snake (Simocephalus) . There we find Tree-snakes with 

 perforated fangs in front (Dendraspis). The African species of Naja 

 (N. haje), so closely allied to the Indian Cobra de Capello, is to be 

 considered as a Tree-snake as well as Ground-snake, whilst N. tripu- 

 dians never appears to climb trees. But the Indian and the African 

 species offer a similar series of varieties, and it would be, in many 

 cases, very difficult to assign one of those varieties, if of unknown 

 origin, to the right species, without the single character of the sixth 

 upper labial shield. The question whether those varieties really are 

 species is not yet decided. Every large collection should gather of 

 both forms as many specimens as possible, with the most accurate 

 accounts of their localities. There are about 70 specimens in the 

 collection of the British Museum ; but even by this number I was 

 not enabled to distinguish separate species within accurately limited 

 boundaries. 



Another peculiarity of this region is the abundance of Snakes pro- 

 vided with longer front teeth, or Lycodoutidce ; and it agrees also in 

 this respect with India : in fact, the western and middle palseotropical 

 regions equally partake of this family, each region producing a form 

 with entire subcaudal plates. Venomous Colubrina occupy here a 

 great part among the Ophidia, a greater one than the true Viperina ; 

 and they also exhibit quite a peculiar group, namely such Colu- 

 brina as are provided with permanently erect and perforated fangs 

 {Dendraspis, Atractaspis). As our knowledge of the whole region 

 is very limited, so also is the case with the large island connected 

 with it, Madagascar. The following Snakes are known belonging to 

 its fauna : — 



Sanzinia. Pelophilus. 



Heterurus gaimardii and arctifasciatus. 



Psammophis sibilans, var. 



{Herpetodryas bernierii. Isle de France). 



Herpetodryas quadrilineatus. 



Enicognathus rhodogaster. 



Philodryas miniatus and goudotii, 



Ahcetulla lateralis. Langaha. 

 None of these Snakes, except Psam. sibilans, have been found on 

 the continent of this region, or in any other part of the globe ; and 

 it may be a question, as already suggested by Schlegel, whether such 

 a separate and peculiar fauna as that of Madagascar might not form 

 ground for establishing a separate region, small for the geographical 

 area, rich for its animal and vegetative life, if the still hidden parts 

 should prove to be as peculiar as that which we know. Sanzinia, 

 Pelophilus, Langaha form genera not represented by other species 

 in other provinces. — If we look at the forms common with other 

 regions, we find tm?m all to be Tree-snakes, having the allied species 

 spread over the tropical regions in the west or east. 



