44 



SYNOPSES AND DESCRIPTIONS. 



small, in a notch between the third and fourth labials; upper large, 

 reaching the frontal. Postoculars two. (In this specimen there is a 

 large temporal between the truncate parietals and the posterior labials, 

 and in front of it there are three small ones, two of which are m contact 

 with the orbitals.) Labials eight, fourth and fifth entering the orbit, last 

 two larger. Infralabials ten, fifth large. Submentals two pairs, subequal. 

 Scales moderate, smooth, in 17 rows, outer broader. Ventrals broad, 

 191 — 198. Anal bifid, occasionally entire. Subcaudals 80 — 108 pairs. 



Reddish-brown, more red below, lateral edges of scales lighter, each 

 scale with a brown line through its middle, darkening toward the tip. 

 On the hinder portion of the body each scale has a light spot at its base, 

 and the margin is brown. Head brown, more or less yellow or mottled 

 with yellow. Labials, chin, and throat yellow, more or less blotched with 

 brown. Usually there are two rows of brown spots on the shields of the 

 throat, sometimes extending under the body. In a specimen stripped of 

 the epiderm there are indistinct narrow transverse lines of darker on the 

 back. Total length 47 inches ; tail 12J inches. Arkansas to Mexico. 



var. aurigulus. 



Drymobius aurigulus Cope, 1861, Pr. Ac. N. Sc., Phil, 301. 



Crown flat, muzzle elongate. Eye moderate. Rostral plate rounded, 

 prominent, recurved above. Frontal elongate, posteriorly half as wide 

 as each supraciliary, not in contact with the preocular. Parietals elon- 

 gate. Nasals and loreal very long, the latter encroaching much on the 

 preocular. Three pre, two postoculars. Labials eight, fourth and fifth 

 entering the orbit; the last equal in length and elevation to the penulti- 

 mate. Infralabials ten, fifth largest. Anterior submentals shorter. Scales 

 in 17 rows. 



Brown, darkening anteriorly. Head-plates light brown, shaded with 

 yellow. A narrow yellow band around the muzzle from eye to eye. Tem- 

 poral region and postoculars each with a spot. Labials, chin, and anterior 

 portion of abdomen bright golden, as also the sides of the neck to the fifth 

 row of scales. On the second and third rows of scales of the neck there 

 is a black band, interrupted at intervals of about seven scales. It finally 

 becomes continuous, and with a band on the first row almost excludes the 

 ground color from the posterior and middle parts of the body. Abdomen 

 dirty yellowish. Cape St. Lucas, Lower Cal. 



