364^ 



COLUBER. SNAKE. 



Qeneric Character. 



Scuta abdominalia. 

 Squama subcaudales. 



Scuta or undivided lamellae 

 under the abdomen. 



Broad alternate Scales under 

 the tail. 



J- H I S is by far the most numerous of all the 

 Linnaean genera of Serpents, and the species 

 differ greatly in size and habit, according to their 

 respective tribes; some, as the Vipers, having 

 large, flattish, and subcordate heads, with rather 

 short than long bodies and tails ; while others, as 

 the major part of the harmless serpents, have, in 

 general, small heads, with longer bodies and tails 

 in proportion. In some few species, exclusive of 

 the usual subcaudal scales, are a few scuta or un- 

 divided lamellae, either at the beginning, or tow^ards 

 the tip of the tail. It is to be observed, that in 

 the investigation of tin's genus the subcaudal soaks, 

 though alternate, are reckoned by pairs, so that 

 the number marked under the respective species is 

 always to be understood to mean so many pair. 



