ON THE BATRACHIA AND RBPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 



151 



the plates just described by its upper part, the three forming an erect appendage 



or short proboscis. Nasal plates distinct, the posterior impressed, the anterior in 



the plane of the rostral, with an anterior angle produced between the rostral and 



superior plate of the muzzle. Pit surrounded by small scales ; one large preocular. 



Labials nine above, fifth longest, separated from the orbit by three rows of scales. 



Lower labials nine, one pair of short geneials, followed by two pairs of shorter 



scales. 



M. 

 Total length 310 



Length of tail 040 



" to rictus oris ......... .015 



Width of head at supercilia ....... .008 



" " temples 016 



Color yellowish-brown above, blackish below. On the upper surface of the 

 body eighteen quadrate spots divided by a narrow, light vertebral line, and divided 

 in the transverse direction so that each is composed of four spots, which are 

 smaller and most separated on the anterior part of the body. Lips black, the 

 lower with vertical white bars. A brown band from eye to behind angle of mouth, 

 bordered by white in front ; a semidiscoid brown spot below eye. 



This venomous snake resembles the Porthidium nasutum of Bacourt, according 

 to the description of that author, but it is stated to have but one nasal shield, 

 while all of the specimens of the B. prohoscideus possess two. 



Not rare at Sipurio, at the base of the mountains. 



TRIGONOCEPHALI. 



122. BoTHROPS ATROX, Linn. 



Abundant in the coast region ; one specimen measures six feet, and Mr. Gabb 

 assures me that it reaches eight feet in length. It is the most formidable veno- 

 mous snake in the country, and is known by the name of Tamagaf. Its bite is 

 generally fatal, unless very promptly treated. Dr. C. R. Lordley, a resident in 

 the country for many years, has saved many cases by the following treatment : 

 He forbids alcohol, and administers fifteen drops of ammonia diluted every quarter 

 or half hour, which, if not speedily beneficial, is replaced by the same amount of 

 tincture of iodine. Salt is especially to be avoided, as well as fresh vegetable food, 

 light animal diet being recommended. Hemorrhage into the stomach and alimen- 

 tary canal is said to be aggravated by salt. The bowels are to be kept open by 

 sufficient doses of castor oil. The usual violent thirst is not to be quenched by 

 water, but by tea of cinnamon or guaca. 



