90 ACANTHOPHIS PALPEBROSUS. 



Acanthopliis Urownii ; Leach, Zool, Miscel. i. t. 3. 



This species is a native of New Holland, and was first noticed at 

 Port Jackson, by Robert Brown, Esq., F. R, S., who described it 

 in his MSS. under the title of Boa ambigua. Dr. Leach, who 

 figured it in his " Zoological Miscellany," named it after him, as a 

 tribute justly due to his talents, not only as one of the first botanists 

 of the age, but also as a gentleman zealous for the promotion of 

 every branch of natural history. The upper part of the body is of 

 dark brown or blackish colour ; it is paler or ferruginous beneath. 

 The plates covering the anterior part of the head are large ; the 

 occiput is tumid, and covered with numerous small carinated 

 scales, similar to those on the back. The subcaudal squamae are 

 double towards the extremity of the tail, which is short, and ter- 

 minates in a spinous process. The head and tail are represented 

 of the natural size, which will convey an accurate idea of the 

 magnitude of the whole animal. There are poisonous fangs in the 

 upper jaw, and the natives suppose it to be the most venomous 

 snake found in New Holland. 



ACANTHOPHIS PALPEBROSUS. 



Palpebral Acanthophis. 



Sfec. Char. Body pale grey, with blueish transverse 

 bands on the back ; reddish with two rows of black 

 points below ; orbits very prominent. 



Acanthophis cerastinus ; Daudin, Rept. v. t. 59, f. 10, 11, and t. 67 f. 1 2. 

 Schlingende natter, (couleuvre boa) ; Merrem, Beytrvge sur gesch. dcr Amph. 

 fasc.2, p. 20, t.3. 



First described and figured by Merrem ; but the native country 

 appears to be unknown. Length about fifteen inches; head 

 rather large, slightly compressed, and covered in front with large 

 scales ; the rostrum obtuse and rounded ; eyebrows very promi- 



