COLLECTION OF OPHXDIA IN MUSEUM 77 
in January. The Society is therefore indebted to Dr. Boulenger 
for determining all those in the following list marked with an 
asterisk. 
There are no new species to record, but quite a number of 
interesting variations in scalation worth recording. The 
second and third columns record the length of body and tail 
respectively, the fourth the number of encircling scales at 
mid- body. For the benefit of members I might add that the 
ventrals are the broad scales along the belly (wanting in 
burrowing forms such as Typhlops and Glaucoma). Caudals 
or sub-caudals are beneath the tail, and are usually paired. 
The number of scales bordering the upper lip (labials) are 
recorded in the last column, and where there are two numbers 
given it shows an azygous condition of scalation on the right 
and left sides. The letter ‘ M ’ after the length of the tail 
implies that that member has been mutilated and part of it 
is missing, which, it must be remembered, renders valueless 
the corresponding number of caudals. 
Tropidonotus olivaceus (Banded Olive Snake). — The short- 
ness of the tail in I 25 is remarkable. It is probable that 
the end is missing, but the stump has healed over so remarkably 
and become pointed that no trace of injury can be seen. 
Snakes, unlike lizards, do not regenerate their tails. 
Boodon lineatus (Brown House Snake). — Most of the 
males in the collection are olive in colour, the larger females 
are plumbeous ; there are quite a number of light sandy-brown 
specimens. By the numbers sent in to the Museum it would 
seem to be the commonest species. I think, however, that 
Chlorophis neglectus is commoner, but does not come under notice 
so much, as it spends most of its time in shrubs and bushes, away 
from the haunts of man and in the neighbourhood of streams. 
Lycophidium capense (Cape Wolf Snake). — The range 
of ventral scalation as given in Boulenger’s ‘ Catalogue of 
Snakes ’ is 164-189 ; this can now be extended to 162-202. 
I 410 has also 26 caudals. 
Pseudaspis cana (Mole Snake). — In I 218, the fifth, not 
fourth, labiale nters the eye. Boulenger states, ‘ Sub-caudas 
50-70,’ whilst our four young specimens have respectively 89, 40, 
48, 48 caudals. The range may therefore be increased 89-70. 
