322 COLTTBEID^. 



] . Diemenia psammophis. 



Elaps psammophis, Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii. p. 455 (1837), and Abbild. 



p. ]37, pi. xlvi. fig. 14 (1844). 

 Lycodon reticulatus, Oray, Zool. Miscell. p. 54 (18421. 

 Demansia reticulata, Oray, I. c. ; Oiinth. Cat. p. 212 (1858). 

 Pseudelaps peammophidius, Bum. 8,- Bibr. vii. p. 1234 (1854). 

 Demansia psammopnis, Giinth. I, c. 

 Pseudelaps psammophis, Qirard, U.S. Explor. Exped., Serp. p. 178 



(1858) ; Jan, Icon. Oen. 43, pi. iii. flg. 3 (1873). ■ 

 Diemenia psammophis, Kreft, Sn. Sydney, p. 42 (1865) ; Steind. 



Novara, Itept. p. 80 (1867) ; Erep, Froc. Zool. Sac. 1868, p. 3, 



and Sn. Austral, p. 38 (1869). 



reticulata, Krefft, Sn. Austral, p. 40, pi. xii. fig. 10. ' 



papuensis, Macleay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. ii. 1877, p. 40. 



Eye large. Eostral nearly as deep as broad, ■visible from above ; 

 internasals one half to two thirds the length of the prsefrontals ; 

 frontal not broader than the supraocular, twice to twice and a half 

 as long as broad, as long as or longer than its distance from the 

 end of the snout, a little shorter than the parietals ; nasal divided, 

 in contact with the single, prseocular ; two (rarely three) post- 

 oculars; temporals '2 + 2, lower anterior wedged in between the 

 fifth and sixth upper labials ; six upper labials, third and fourth 

 entering the eye;, three lower labials in contact wi1;h the anterior 

 chin-shields, which are shorter than the posterior. Scales in 15 

 rows (17 to 20 on the neck). . Yentrals 1.70-225 ; anal divided ; 

 subcaudals 69-105. Coloration very variable ; low,er surface of 

 tail, at the end, yellow or orange; young with' a dairt line across 

 the rostral, gradually disappearing with age, and two oblique dark- 

 edged yellow streaks, one in front, the other behind the eye. 



Total length 1420 millim. ; tail 340. 

 -'South-eastern New Guinea and Australia. 



A. Olive-brown above, the scales narrowly edged or tipped with 



black; belly greyish or pale olive, darker along the median 

 line. {D. psammophis, Schleg.) 



a. 5 (V. 176; C. 72). Sydney. G. Krefft, Esq. [P.]. 



6. $ (V. 176; C. 74). ? 



B. Olive or reddish brown to blackish above, the scales narrowly 



edged or tipped with black, some with light outer edge; 

 ventrals olive or dark plumbeous-grey, darker along the 

 margins. (J). psammopTiis, Gthr. ; B. papuensis, Macl.) 



a-b. S (V. 173 ; 0. 73) & Fly R., Brit. New Rev. S. Macfarlane 

 5 (V. 173 ; 0. ?). Guinea. [C.l. 



c. cJ (V. 173 ; 0. 81). Port Moresby, Brit. Rev. W. G. Turner [0.]. 



New Guinea. 



d. S CV. 175 ; 0. 79). Somerset, Cape H.M.S. ' Challenger.' 



York. 

 e,f. S (V. 179, 210; Port Essington. Lord Derby [P.l. 



C. 78, 105). 

 (7. d {V. 193 ; C. 85). Daly River. Dr. Dahl [C] 



h. Skull of a. 



Christiania Mus. [E.]. 



