R A B D I N. 119 



and very obtuse upon their posterior margin. The next seven series 

 are composed of quite small and narrow scales, whilst upon the middle 

 region of the back they are the largest of all, broad upon their base. 

 The abdominal scutellae are from two hundred and eighteen to two 

 hundred and forty-four in number and of moderate development; the 

 preanal one being entire, as well as the rest. The tail, which forms 

 about the seventh of the total length, is subconical ; thirteen longitu- 

 dinal series of scales may be counted upon its base. The subcaudal 

 scutellae, fifty-five to sixty-two in number, are all entire. 



The ground color above is either brown, fawn, greyish, or blackish, 

 over which large black patches are more or less apparent. These 

 patches are angular, irregular, and incompletely defined, with inter- 

 vening spaces on the back of reddish-brown; they constitute a dorsal 

 series, and, occasionally, one or two lateral series. The upper surface 

 of the head is barred with black. Beneath, the color is yellowish- 

 white, with a series of black, confluent spots along the external edge 

 of the scutellae, so as to appear like a continuous black band. The 

 middle of the abdomen may exhibit a similar blackish band, which 

 becomes sometimes irregular, giving to the whole abdominal region a 

 marbled appearance. 



Log. — Specimens of this species were collected at Savai and Upolu 

 (Navigator Islands), as also on the Feejees, where they appear to be 

 more common than in the former group of islands. According to the 

 naturalists of the Exploring Expedition, these snakes are sluggish and 

 inofiensive, and were often brought to them by the natives. 



Genus RABDION, Dum. 



Gen. Char. — The body is slender and cylindrical, covered with smooth 

 scales. The tail short and tapering, and the abdominal scutellae 

 large. The snout is rounded. The cephalic plates are normal ; we 

 observe one nasal, no loral, one anteorbital, one or two postorbitals, 

 six upper labials, the third and fourth beneath the eye, and enter- 

 ing into the orbit. Postabdorainal scutella divided ; subcaudal 

 scutella disposed upon a double series. 



SYN.—Eahdwn, Dum. & Bibr. Erp. gen. VII, I, 1854, 115. 



