THE ORDER OF SNAKES—OPHIDIA, 13 
Nothing now remains but to give a few hints with regard to the 
names adopted by naturalists for the scales of the head and body in 
Ophidian reptiles ; and for this purpose three woodcuts are added, to shew— 
Ist. The head from above, with nine scales, whereof 
is 
: 
en [) 
v is the rostral shield » vertical 
f anterior frontals (2) s superciliary (one over each eye) 
J posterior frontals (2) 0 occipital (2) 
2nd. A side view of the head of a (non-venomous) snake :— 
Shewing—wv’ and x the nasals. 
I. The loreal (absent in nearly all Australian venomous snakes). 
a. Anterior ocular. 
p. Posterior ocular (generally two behind each eye). 
t. Temporals. Many venomous snakes have a large temporal shield wedged in 
between the two last upper labials, in such a manner as to give it the appearance 
of a labial shield. 
w. Upper labials—There are generally six of these shields in venomous snakes (we 
may say always six, never more). Non-venomous serpents have seven or more. 
* The lower labial shields, which correspond to those of the upper jaw, and are 
reduced to six in poisonous serpents. The labial shields have not been con- 
sidered of much value in distinguishing one group from the other; but, after 
examination of many thousand specimens, it may be safely asserted that, by 
these shields alone can the harmless or venomous character of snakes be ascer- 
tained. This rule does not apply to Sea Snakes, nor to the Blind Snakes of the 
family Typhlopide, but to Australian venomous and innocuouscolubrine snakes only. 
