232 OPHIDIA. 



for a short distance ; the markings vary much in intensity 

 in different individuals, some being much brighter than 

 those here described, others very much more obscure and 

 indistinct. 



The entire length of a very large specimen, mentioned 

 by Prince Buonaparte, was 2 feet 4 inches, of which the 

 tail was 6 inches ; these dimensions, however, are much 

 above the average. 



Said to be easily tamed, and not to bite. 



This Snake was discovered not many years ago near 

 Eome by Signor Eiccioli. Prince Buonaparte, who has 

 figured and described it, says that it is not uncommon 

 there, he having found it on Monte Mario, and near the 

 Anio, on hills to the right of the Via Salaria, also on the 

 mountains near Eonciglione. It is said to have occurred 

 near Bordeaux, on the Garonne ; but has not been observed 

 between those two localities, so far apart from each other. 



Tarhophis vivax. 



Tarbophis vivax, Dum. et Bib. vol. vii. p. 913. 

 Coluber fallax, Schinz, Europ. Faun. vol. ii. p. 48. 

 Ailurophis vivax, Buon. Faun. Ital. (figured). 



Description. — The rostral plate, resting vertically upon the 

 extremity of the muzzle, has a semicircular notch in its 

 lower part ; it exhibits seven unequal facets, six of which 

 correspond with the six adjoining plates, while the seventh 

 gives passage to the tongue ; the frontal plate is oblong, 

 and forms an isosceles triangle ; the pre-oeular has four 

 facets ; the two post-oculars are five-sided, and nearly 

 equal ; temples clothed with about twenty scales, one of 

 which is much smaller than the rest ; eight labial plates 

 on the upper lip, of which the fourth and part of the fifth 

 are immediately under the eye. The scales of the body 

 are smooth, lozenge-shaped, rather larger at the base of 



