HEEPETOLOGICAL NOTES.— LON OMAN . 
4.1 
HERBERTOPHIS PLUMBEUS, Macleay. 
During the Queensland Governments Expedition to Bellenden-Ker Range 
in 1889, four specimens of this snake were secured for the Museum. In the 
•official report the species was referred to, under Macleay S name, as “ A nocturnal 
snake peculiar to the Herberton district, in which it is common. 77 As there seems 
to be an element of doubt as to whether this snake should be included as a 
Stegonotus, a careful examination has been made of the specimens. There are 
13 or 14 maxillary teeth which exhibit the characteristic dentition of Stegonotus 
modest us as figured by Boulenger in the B.M.C. i., p. 364. The front teeth are 
the smallest. An increase in size may be noted towards the middle; then is 
apparent a break which would casually be looked upon as a diastema, but close 
examination reveals the presence of two very much smaller teeth. The penulti- 
mate and two preceding teeth are the largest in the series, the final tooth being 
again smaller. In his description of Lielaphis ( Stegonotus ) modcstus, Gunther 
remarks: “It is not rarely doubtful whether the dentition of a specimen should 
be considered diaeranterian or syne ran terian ; but it is never lycodont. ” The 
same remarks apply in general to the specimens under consideration. Stegonotus 
muelleri, the type specimen of Dumeril and Bibron, was described by them as 
diaeranterian. Thus the question arises as to whether the genus Lielaphis, 
instituted by Gunther, * should not more rightly be considered the correct 
appellation. But in the earlier of the two articles quoted Gunther refers to 
the teeth as “subequal, in small number . 77 The later description of Lielaphis 
modesties indicates the variation in size of maxillary teeth which is characteristic 
of our specimens, and which is appropriated and figured for the genus Stego- 
notus by Boulenger. As a normally syncranterian dentition may very readily 
appear to be diaeranterian, some considerable latitude must be allowed on 
Dumeril and Bibron ’s description. Thus it seems correct to the writer to 
substantiate Boulenger 7 s query and definitely place Macleay ’s species as 
Stegonotus plumb eus. 
A few other remarks may be made on our specimens. Only the fourth and 
fifth labials enter the eye, and the angle of the third fails to reach so far. The 
number* of ventral scales varies from 210 to 218, and the subcaudals, which are 
in pairs, from 78 to 85, though one, which is obviously damaged, has but 61. In 
colouration and otherwise in lepidosis, our specimens agree with Macleay ’s 
description. 
STEGONOTUS MODESTUS, £chleg. 
In the Queensland Museum there is a specimen, bearing this name, 
received from Torres Strait. The dentition and colouration are apparently 
♦ P.Z.S., ] 863., p 59, & 1877, p. 129. 
