BUCEPHALUS CAPENSIS. 
mode of arrangement of the scales. On the tail, however, different characters 
exist, the scales covering it, instead of being carinated, are quite smooth like 
those on the temples and nape, and are more or less six-sided, one side being 
always formed by the base, and another by the apex, the last is generally 
very short, and scarcely to be appreciated in many of the scales, more 
particularly in those towards the tip of the tail. The point of the tail, in 
many specimens is formed of a scaly pointed tubercle, in others it is covered 
with a number of small imbricate scales. The abdominal plates are slightly 
arched, the convexity backward, their extremities arched or slightly semi- 
circular ; the subcaudal scales are disposed in two rows, and each scale is 
distinctly six-sided till near the point of the tail, where they become more or 
less distinctly four-sided : in the six-sided scales the sides forming the 
extremities are much shorter than the two middle ones. The skin of the 
neck, and of rather more than the first half of the body, is more than sufficient 
to enclose the parts contained within it, and is very loosely attached to the 
parts it encloses ; in consequence there is a superabundant portion, which 
portion is usually disposed in two longitudinal folds, one at each side of the 
abdominal plates ; these folds are always in existence, except when the gullet 
and stomach are fully distended with food. On the sides and back of the 
head, and also on the hinder portion of the body and tail, more especially on 
the latter, the skin is not more than sufficiently extensive to cover the parts 
it encloses, and in these situations it is firmly and closely united to the 
subjacent parts. The usual length of an adult specimen of this variety is from 
4i to 5 feet, of which the tail generally forms between a fourth and a fifth 
part : individuals are occasionally found, however, exceeding 6 feet. The 
following are the measurements of the specimen figured, and of two others 
now before us ; also the number of abdominal plates and subcaudal scales 
existing upon each : — 
SEX OF 
LENGTH FROM NOSE 
LENGTH OF 
SUBCAUDAL 
SUBCAUDAL 
SPECIMEN. 
TO BASE OF TAIL. 
TAIL. 
PLATES. 
SCALES. 
Ft. In. 
Ft. 
In. 
No. 
No. 
Male 
3 11 
1 
0 
188 
65-65 
Male 
3 
I 
2 
189 
106-106 
Female 
3 9 
1 
1 
184 
94-94 
The Female is never so freely variegated with yellow on the sides as the 
male, and many specimens are met with in which merely the centre of each of 
the scales adjoining the abdominal plates is faintly tinted with greenish 
yellow. The yellow of the abdominal plates is also of a duller tint in the 
female, and often with a strong tinge of green. 
