Annals of the Transvaal Museum, 
80 
PSAMMOPHIS THOMASI GrOUgJl 
Snout once and two-thirds as long as the eye. Rostral 
broader than deep. Internasals less than half as long as the 
prsefrontals ; frontal more than twice as long as broad (9’6 mm. 
long, 4 mm. broad in front, but only 2*6 in the middle) ; 
frontal longer than its distance to the end of the snout, and 
narrower in the middle than the supraocular (which measures 
3' 6 mm.). 
Parietals shorter than the frontal (pleasuring 8 - 7 mm.). 
Nostril between three nasals, a large anterior and two small 
superimposed posterior. Loreal twice and a half as long as 
broad, separated from the inter-nasals. One large praeocular, 
widely separated from the frontal. Suture between prse- 
frontal and supraocular 1*5 mm. long. The praefrontal is in 
contact with the loreal supraocular, and upper labials 3 and 
4. Two postoculars. 
Temporals, 1 + 4 or 2 + 1 (in. the type right side 1 + 1, left 
side 2 + 1). A large shield behind and outside each of the 
parietals. Eight upper labials, fourth and fifth entering the eye, 
sixth largest. Two pairs of equal chin- shields. A long suture 
between the first pair of lower labials behind the cliin-shields 
(2*5 mm.), four lower labials in contact with the anterior 
cliinshields. Scales oblique, the outer rows much broader 
than the inner ones, in 17 rows. 
Scales on the upper surface of the tail larger than the 
corresponding ones on the body. Ventrals 167. Anal divided. 
Subcaudals in 92 pairs. 
Length of type specimen 117 cm., of which 33 '5 belong 
to the tail. 
Olive brown above, becoming gradually much lighter on 
the sides and below, where the brown tone becomes more 
bluish. 
The middle of the ventrals yellowish, especially in the 
distal two-thirds of the body. Sides of the scales with black 
