SYNOPSES AND DESCRIPTIONS 57 



Smooth, commonly in 17 or 19 rows, rarely reaching 15 or 23. Common 

 in the West Indies and South America to Mexico. One species found on 

 the southeastern coast of the United States. 

 A loreal ; 



scales in 17 rows; labials seA r en; 



ventrals about 163 ; a band on three vertebral series 



laureatus. 

 ventrals about 126 ; dorsal band on eleven series 



flavilatus. 

 scales in 17 to 19 series; 



labials nine margaritiferus. 



No loreal ; 



scales in 19 series ; 



labials eight putnami. 



Dromicus laureatus. 



Ounther, 1868, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., 419. 



Body and tail moderately slender; form of the head as in Coronella 

 laevis. Eye of moderate size. Maxillary teeth smooth, becoming longer, 

 stronger and further apart backward. Internasals scarcely half as large 

 as prefrontals. Frontal longer than the snout. Parietals longer than the 

 frontal. Rostral not extending to the upper surface of the head. Loreal 

 square. One preocular reaching to the upper surface of the head, but not 

 touching the frontal. Postoculars two. Labials seven, third and fourth in 

 orbit. Temporals 1+2+3, the anterior touching both oculars. Submen- 

 tals two pairs, nearly equal. Scales smooth, in 17 rows, many with a 

 small apical groove. Ventrals 163. Anal bifid. Subcaudals 95 pairs. 



A lead-colored band three scales broad from the nape along the median 

 line of the back to the end of the tail. Flanks reddish, with a very indis- 

 tinct greyish streak along the fourth outer series of scales. Two yellow 

 lines across the rostral ; ' the lower runs along the upper labials and across 

 the neck, thus entirely encircling the head; the upper runs along the 

 canthus rostralis, and stops or terminates in the temporal region. Lower 

 parts uniform yellowish. Length 21 inches ; tail 7 inches. City of Mexico. 



