Zoology.] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Reptiles. 



This little snake seems very local in its distribution ; it often 

 excites alarm from being taken for tbe young of the Brown Snake, 

 but it rarely reaches a foot in length, and is no more injurious than 

 the sting of a bee, although its little poison fang and gland are on 

 the usual plan of construction of the large dangerous species. It 

 feeds on the small young of frogs and lizards. 



Common at Brighton beach, being often dug out of the light 

 sandy soil of gardens from a depth of several inches, and occa- 

 sionally at Caulfield and Boroondara. 



This species has not been figured before. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 11. — Fig. 1, ordinary specimen, natural size. Fig la, side view of head, magnified. 

 Fig. lb, under side of head, enlarged. Fig. lc, upper side of head, enlarged, to show shape of 

 plates and disposition of the black marking. Fig. Id, palate, enlarged, to show teeth. 



Plate 11, Fig. 2. 



HOPLOCEPHALUS COKONOIDES (Gunth.). 

 The White-lipped Snake. 



Description. — Head very narrow, tapering- from nape of neck to semi-ellipti- 

 cally rounded muzzle. /Scales: usually 15 rows of scales across middle of back; 

 ventral plates, 138 to 146 j subcaudal plates, 43 to 51. Plates: vertex plate parallel- 

 sided, hexagonal, about three times longer than wide, anterior and posterior ends alike 

 in some specimens, but the anterior angle more obtuse in others ; rostral plate large, 

 with an obtuse upper angle; superciliary plates, anterior ocular plates, and occipital 

 plates long*. Color : above usually plain brown or with a tinge of olive ; under side 

 usually yellowish near the throat and salmon color from middle to tip of tail, the 

 yellowish plates freckled with red, and the more posterior ventral plates freckled with 

 grey. Lower labial and throat plates minutely freckled with black. A white streak 

 extends from rostral along upper lip for about an inch, or sometimes nearly two, along 

 side of neck ; a strong black upper edge separates this white band from the color of 

 the upper surface, and an imperfect lower edging in parts of some specimens. 



Reference. — Giinther Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 215. 



In some specimens the under side is darker from a greater extent 

 of the grey speckling. In spirit the upper surface becomes paler 

 and more olive, and the under surface more of a dark slate color. 

 The distinct white hand along the upper lip and side of neck with 



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