9. ATRACTASPIS. 



511 



Kg. 36. 



Skull of Atractaspis aterrima. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



I. Anal divided ; subcaudals all or greater part divided. 



A. Six upper labials, fifth very large and forming a suture with 



the parietals ; no prseocular ; frontal shorter than the 

 parietals ; scales in 17 rows ; ventrals 167-174. 



1. hildehrandtii, p. 512. 



B. Five upper labials, fourth largest ; postocular in contact 'with 



a large temporal ; a prseocular ; frontal as long as, or slightly 

 shorter than the parietals. 



Scales in 19-21 rows ; ventrals 200-230. 2. congica, p. 513. 

 Scales in 25-27 rows ; ventrals 220-257. 3. irregularis, p. 513. 



II. Anal entire ; subcaudals all or part entire. 

 A. Postocular in contact with a large temporal. 



1. Second lower labial very large, fused with the chin-shields j 

 scales in 23-27 rows ; ventrals 178-193 ; subcaudals 23- 

 27 4. corpulenta, p. 514. 



