19S APPENDIX F. REPTILES. 



orbital plate and two postorbitals. The colors are brown or black, in 

 quadrate blotches on the back and on the sides, separated by lighter 

 intervals ; beneath usually coarsely blotched with darker. In one spe- 

 cies there are dark stripes on a light ground. 



6. SCOTOPHIS LAETUS, B. & G. 

 Zoology, PI. VI. 



Spec. char. — Similar to S. confinis, but postfrontals larger. Verti- 

 cal plate longer than broad. Dorsal rows 29. Abdominal scutellae 

 227. Subcaudals 72. Blotches fewer than in S. confinis. 



Syn. — Scotophis laetus, B. & G. Cat. N. Amer. Kept. I, 1853, 78. 



Desc. — This species bears a close resemblance to S. confinis, and its 

 characters may be best given by comparison with the latter. It differs, 

 therefore, in the greater number of dorsal rows, 29 instead of 25. The 

 whole body and head are much stouter. Exterior eight rows smooth, 

 rest slightly carinated. The vertical is broad before, rather acute be- 

 hind. A probably monstrous feature is seen in the union of the two 

 postfrontals, except for a short distance before, and in the loral and post- 

 nasal coalescing into one trapezoidal plate. Blotches less numerous. 

 A broad vitta across the back part of the postfrontals, passing backwards 

 and downwards through the eye, and terminating acutely on the poste- 

 rior upper libial. A blotch across the back part of the vertical, and ex- 

 tending through the occipitals on each side to the nape. The spots are 

 larger, longitudinal throughout, with occasional exceptions. 



Its affinities to S. vulpinus are close. The vertical, however, is nar- 

 row, the eyes much larger, dorsal rows 29 instead of 25. The blotches 

 on the back are longitudinal, and fewer in number. For a complete 

 description of this species it will be necessary to procure larger speci- 

 mens. 



The specimen figured on Plate VI is of natural size. The only one 

 caught of this species is 1 8 inches long. Length of tail 3^- inches. 



VI. OPHIBOLUS, B. & G. 



The body is rather thick, and the tail short. The scales smooth and 

 lustrous, and disposed in 21 or 23 rows, which scarcely overlap. The 

 preanal scutella is entire. A small anteorbital plate and two postorbi- 

 tals. Eyes very small. 



