LAMPROPHIS RUFULTJS. 
from the two hinder sides converging to a point, the width ot the scale 
rather greatest where the convergence commences ; nasal plate rather 
elongated and quadrangular; frenal short and quadrangular; preocular 
plate vertically elongated four-sided, the upper side rather wider than the 
lower; postocular plates small and quadrangular; temporal scales large, 
and five or six-sided ; plates of upper lip, exclusive of rostral, eight ; of 
lower lip, exclusive of mental, eight ; sub-mental plates, two pairs, each 
short, and rather broad. Body subcylindrical, rather flattened below ; 
scales six-sided, and arranged in oblique transverse rows, nineteen rows 
at the middle of the body, where it is thickest ; scales on the tail shorter 
and broader than those of the body, somewhat six-sided, the anterior and 
posterior sides much the shortest ; ventral plates, from side to side, rather 
long and towards each extremity slightly inclined upwards ; tail below flat, 
its apex a horny pointed prickle. Abdominal plates, 170. Subcaudal scales, 
70 pairs. Length from nose to anus, two feet. Length ol tail, seven inches. 
This snake has an extensive range, being found in damp localities throughout the entire of 
Southern Africa. It is generally discovered in marshy spots, and on the banks of rivers, 
and is occasionally observed actually in water trying to capture frogs, &c., which form its 
favourite food. 
The circumstance of the hinder maxillary teeth being smaller than those more in front, 
requires this snake, according to the arrangement proposed by Dumeril and Bibron, to be 
classed in their division.* (Azemiophides.) 
The eyes of this reptile being only partially covered superiorly, by the palpebral plates, 
admit of a certain degree of vision upwards, in which respect it resembles the Homcepidae. 
* Herpetologie General, par Dumeril et Bibron, tom vi. page 69. 
