THE I'L'IXCIJ'AL SPECIES OE POISONOUS SXAKES 



Seven species of this genus are known, divided into two groups 

 as follows : — 



(1) Scales on the body in 15 rows. 



1). psammuphis (fig. 47). — Internasal shields at least half as 

 long as the prtefnjntals. 



1). torquutd . — Internasals 

 more than halt as long as the 

 priefrontals. 



D. olivacca (tig. 48). — In- 

 ternasals ntjf more than half 

 as long as the pr<efrontals ; 

 snout broad. 



('2) Scales m 17 or 19 rows. 



1). inodesta. — 154 — l(j5 ventrals. 



I). textUis (IJrown Snake, fig. 49). — IW—'l'&l ventrals. 



I). iiKrlialis (tig. 50).— 1S4— •i-24 ventrals. 



Fig. 50. — Di<'i)ienui nucJialts. 



(e) Pseudechis. 



^laxillary bones extending forwards as far as tlie palatines, 

 with a pan- of large groo\'ed poison-fangs foHowed l)y '2 — 5 small 

 solid teeth : anterior mandibular teeth long. Head distinct from 

 the neck : eyes rather small, 

 with r(jund pupils : nostril be- 

 tween two nasal shields, iiody 

 cylindrical. Scales smooth, in 

 17 — '2.') rows (more on the 

 neck). Tail moderate ; sub- 

 caudals in 2 rows, or partly 

 single, partly in 2 rows. 



Total length, 1,500—2.000 

 millimetres, sometimes more. 



Habitat : Australia and New Guinea 



This genus includes eight species. 



Fig. bl.- Pseudechis 'i)orphyriacus. 



