220 OPHIDIA. 



by whitish intervals, having the appearance, when taken 

 together, of an interrupted whitish band ; sometimes along 

 the tail the spots touch each other ; beneath, and on either 

 side, is a row of black marks, much less extended than the 

 dorsal spots, placed on a ground which is darker than the 

 general grey-brown of the back, and which is not inter- 

 rupted between the marks, forming consequently a second 

 brown band ; the abdomen is yellowish in front, with blue- 

 black spots, which latter colours occupy the whole of the 

 remaining part of the under surface of the animal; the 

 black lines of the head are the same in both varieties. 



In the young the dorsal spots do not appear as if divided 

 into two, and the dorsal lines are not distinct, those on the 

 sides, however, are well developed. 



Entire length, about 4 feet. 



Inhabits the Southern Provinces of Eussia. Is rare in 

 the Crimea (where M. de Nordmann found it most com- 

 monly near Laspi, on the hills of the south coast), in Dal- 

 matia, and especially in the small island of Lissa, in caves, 

 the Morea, and Crete. Has been found on a few occasions 

 in the .Terra d'Otranto in Italy. At Catania, in Sicily, it 

 is said to frequent the houses, and not to occur in the 

 neighbouring country districts. 



Coluber Natrix. 



Coluber Natrix, Schinz, Europ. Faun. vol. ii. p. 38. 

 Tropidonotus Natrix, Dsom. et Bib. toI. vii. p. 555. 

 Natrix torquata, Bell, Hist. Brit. Quad. 

 The Ringed Snake. 



Description. — Head distinct from the body, wide behind, 

 especially in old individuals; one pre-ocular and three 

 post-ocular plates ; seven labial plates, divided by black 

 marks ; the gape is as long as the head ; tongue bifid to 

 one-third of its length; tail very tapering, moderately 



