99 



MENOPOMA FUSCA.—Holbrook. 



Plate XXXIII. 



Characters. Head large, flat; snout full and rounded; body above uniform 

 umber, beneath paler. 



Description. The Menopoma fusca resembles in its general form the Meno- 

 poma Alleghaniensis, but its head is rather larger in proportion, and the snout 

 more full, broader and rounded; the palatine group of teeth is more concentric 

 with that of the superior maxillary, but after all, we must depend chiefly on the 

 colour to distinguish this animal from the Menopoma Alleghaniensis. 



Dimensions. The proportions of this animal are the same as those of the 

 Menopoma Alleghaniensis, yet it reaches a greater size — I have seen one nearly 

 18 inches in length. 



Geographical Distribution. This reptile inhabits the waters of the moun- 

 tainous regions of North Carolina and Georgia, where they are said to be 

 abundant. 



General Remarks. I have never seen but one individual of this species, 

 which was captured in the waters of French Broad, by my friend Dr. Hardy, of 

 Ashville, Buncomb county, North Carolina. The colouring may be relied on, as 

 it was done from life. 



