DOLIOPHIS. 175 



Upon an olivaceous-brown ground, there are four longitudinal black 

 streaks or vittae (two dorsal and two lateral), which extend from the 

 head to the extremity of the tail. The dorsal streaks are the broadest, 

 beginning at the posterior extremity of the occipital plates, and cover- 

 ing each tliree series of scales, or two and a half only ; in the latter 

 case, one and two adjoining half scales bear the ground color ; other- 

 wise, there is but one scale between them. The lateral streak may be 

 traced from the posterior rim of the orbit along the fourth external 

 series of scales, leaving two scales, bearing the ground color, between 

 it and the dorsal streak. The anterior margin of all the scales is 

 jet-black, but, when in their natural and imbricated state, the black 

 does not appear externally ; sometimes, the scales embraced by the 

 dorsal streaks exhibit light margins, in which cases, those streaks will 

 appear like a series of spots. The upper surface of the head is dotted 

 with black. An occipito- temporal streak may be seen between the 

 origin of the two pairs just described. There is a subocular patch, 

 and several nasal ones. The abdominal region is yellowish, with the 

 anterior margin of the scutellae black. 



Log. — Collected on the heights, near the sea, Valparaiso, Chile. 



Genus DOLIOPHIS, Girard. 



Char. GEN". — Corpore siihcyUndrico^Jongissimo ; cauda modica. Caplte 

 depresso, nee a corpore discreto. Ore modico ; dentihus venenatis in dtia 

 paria dispositis. SciUis cepJialicis noiinalihus; nasalibus duohuSjnare 

 in sutura sita. Scuto loreo nullo ; praeorhitali wio. Lahlalibus quarto 

 et quinto in orhitam productis. Scutis postorhitalihus daohus. Squamis 

 magnis, laevihus, lucldls, in tredecim series longitudinales dispositis. 

 Scutella praeanali indivisa. Scutellis suhcaudcdibus in seriem dapli' 

 cem ordinatis. 



Gen. Char. — Body subcylindrical, and very much elongated; tail 

 moderate. Head depressed, but continuous with the body. Mouth 

 moderate, provided anteriorly with two fangs on each side. Cepha- 

 lic plates normal. Two nasals, with nostrils between them. No 

 loral plate. One anteorbital. Third and fourth labials entering 

 into the orbit. Two postorbitals. Scales large, smooth, shining 



