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VERTEBRATA. 
THE PURPLE LEPTOPHIS. 
Genus LEPTOPHIS : LeptopMs. — Of this there are several species, noted for a slender body 
and a long, slender tail. The Ribbon-Snake, L. saurita, is two feet long ; color brown ; body- 
marked with three yellowish stripes. It is exceedingly nimble, climbs trees, feeds on toads, frogs, 
and insects, and is found in the New England, Middle, and Western States. There are several 
varieties. 
The Green Snake, L. cestivus, three feet long ; bright golden-green above, and yellowish-white 
beneath ; it is easily tamed, so as to eat from the hand ; found in some of the Middle and South- 
ern States. 
The Purple Leptophis, L. purpurascens, is of a violet color, passing into green, with a golden 
luster. Found in India. One or two similar species are met with in Australia. 
Genus DIPS AS : Dipsas. — This includes several species, also noted for the slenderness of their 
THE DIPSAS CTANODON. 
form; the head, however, is very large in proportion to the body. The Dipsas cyanodon^ 
which may serve as an example of the genus, is harmless, arboreal in its habits, and found in 
India. 
Genus DENDROPHIS: Dendropkis. — This includes the ahcetuUa, four to five feet 
