120 P H I D I A. 



Observ. — We take this genus as established in the " Erp6tologie 

 g^nerale," modifying simply that part of its diagnosis relating to the 

 postocular plates : the species described below having two such plates 

 instead of one. In every other respect, the latter has all the generical 

 characters assigned to Eabdion. 



This genus and the two following ones belong to the family of 

 Calamaridae ; the representatives of which are, generally speaking, of 

 a diminutive size. Their head and body are slender ; the latter sub- 

 cylindrical and nearly of uniform diameter from head to tail. The 

 tail itself is always short, oftentimes tapering. Their habits are 

 terrestrial, keeping in dark places, either sheltered under stones or 

 concealed in the brush or decayed wood ; on that account they are 

 seldom brought to the notice of travellers, unless sought after within 

 their retreats. 



Rabdion occipitale, Grd. 



Char. spec. — Gapite valde depresso ; oculis magnis. Squamis dorsualihus 

 in quindecim series longihidinales dispositis. Supra subflaxio^ squamis 

 fusco marginatis ; infra unicolore. Gapite et collo nigris, cum macida 

 occipitali flava. 



Spec. Char. — Head very much depressed. Eyes large. Dorsal scales 

 disposed upon fifteen longitudinal series. Ground color yellowish ; 

 scales margined with brown ; beneath unicolor. Head and neck 

 black, with an occipital yellow spot. 



Syn. — Eabdion occipitale, Grd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. August, 1857. 



Descr. — A single specimen of this species is before us ; it measures 

 seven inches and a half in total length. The head is very small, and 

 less than three-eighths of an inch long ; it is very much depressed, 

 subovoid when seen from above, broadest upon the temporal region. 

 The snout is rounded, and both jaws are equal. The vertex plate is 

 pentagonal, subcordiform, nearly as broad as long. The occipital 

 plates are the largest of the cephalic series ; they are elongated, 

 narrowest posteriorly, and slightly undulating upon their external 

 edge. The postfrontals are much larger than the prefrontals, sub- 



