300 



COLUBEID^. 



112. ATEACTUS. '«^ Y (i'±_ 



c V r 



Atractus, Wagler, Isis, 1828, p. 741. rT) . 



Brachyorrhop, part., Wagler, Syst. Amph. p. 190 (1830). 

 Oalamaria, part., 8cMeg. Phys. Serp. ii. p. 25 (1837). 

 Rabdosoma, part., Bum. ^ Bibr. M&m. Ac. 8c. xxiii. 1853, p. 440, 



and Erp. Q&n. vii.p. 91 (1854) ; Gunth. Cat. Col. 8n. p. 10 (1858) ; 



Jan, Arch. Zool. Anat. Phys. ii. 1862, p. 10. 

 Isoscelis, Qunth. I. e. p. 204. 

 Adelphicos, Jan, I. c. p. 18 ; Socourt, Miss. Sc. Me.r., Rept. p. 553 



(1888). 

 Ehegnops, Cope, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1866, p. 128. 

 Rabdosoma, Bocourt, I. c. p. 538. 



Fig. 22. 



Skull of Atractus crassicaudatus. 



Maxillary short, with 8 to 12 teeth ; maxiUary and mandibular 

 teeth decreasing in size posteriorly. Head not distinct from neck ; 

 eye small, with round or subelliptic pupil; nostril between two 

 nasals ; prseooular usually absent, loreal and praefrontal entering the 

 eye. Body cylindrical ; scales smooth, without pits, in 15 or 17 rows ; 

 ventrals rounded. Tail short or rather long ; subeaudals in two rows. 



Central and South America. 



Synopsis of the Species. 

 I. Symphysial shield separated from the chin-shields. 



A. Loreal not more than once and a half as long as deep. 

 Scales in 15 rows ; one postocular .... 1. elaps, p. 302. 



Scales in 17 rows ; one postocular . 

 Scales in 17 rows ; two postoculars . 



2. latifrons, p. 303. 



3. moclestus, p. 304. 



