IIETEROLEPIS CAPENSIS. 
tions. Preocular plate vertically lengthened, frenal quadrangular; frontal 
plate large and slightly six-angled, anteriorly very broad, posteriorly 
pointed ; occipital plates large, as is also the plate immediately behind 
post-ocular plates ; the central pair of submental plates the largest. Plates 
of upper lip seven, exclusive of rostral; of lower lip eight without the 
mental. Abdominal plates with two angles, one towards each extremity ; 
the point of the tail armed with a small, rather obtuse, horny spine. 
Abdominal plates 241 ; subcaudal scales 64 pairs ; rows of scales at the 
middle of the body 15. Length of the body 17^ inches ; of tail 3 inches 
4 lines. 
This snake inhabits the eastern districts of the Cape Colony, and, so far as I know, only 
few specimens have yet been obtained. The colours as given are those presented by a speci- 
men preserved in spirit, but I am much disposed to believe they are not those exhibited by the 
reptile when it is alive. It belongs to the group which includes the true Lycodons, and, like 
them, has the teeth at or near the anterior extremities of the maxillae and of the lower jaw 
larger than the others, and not in the same line with them, being more external, from the 
circumstance of each jaw forming a sort of elbow just behind these large teeth. 
Another species of this genus has lately come under my notice — the specimen is in the 
British Museum — the following are its characters : — Heterolepis Poensis. Head rather de- 
pressed, anteriorly sub-spatulate, posteriorly wider than the neck ; frontal plate small, six- 
sided, and pointed posteriorly ; frenal plate very small ; colour above blackish-green ; lips 
and under parts intermediate between orange-yellow and king’s yellow ; rows of scales on 
body, 15; abdominal plates, 256, the last very broad; subcaudal scales 67 pairs. Length 
from the nose to the anus, 34 inches; length of tail, 7 inches. Inhabits Fernando Po. 
