I>TKOCUOUS SERPENTS, 
131 
very variable disposition of the colours in different indivi- 
duals. Hows of scales, 17. S. 150 + 20 to 184 + 44. 
8. Cal AM ARIA aectiventris comes from the Cape of 
Good Hope, and resembles in form a small Coluber ; the 
head and the plates with which it is covered are more de- 
veloped than usual ; the body is very thick for the size of 
the animal, and the tail is pointed. It is distinguished 
from the other species by its belly being strongly angular, 
and by its colours ; above a chestnut-brown, below yellow ; 
the hanks greyish-blue, dotted with close-set black points. 
Rows of scales, 15. S. 130 + 30. 
9. Calamaria melanocephala is found in both Ame- 
ricas, and approaches in form to an Elaps. Its body is of 
equal thickness, the tail more slender than in the preceding 
snakes ; the head truncated at the snout, and hardly dis- 
tinguished from the neck. The system of colours presents 
distinctive marks ; below yellowish, above of a pale brown, 
with three longitudinal black rays ; head adorned with 
black spots. Rows of scales, 15. S. 155 + 60. 
10. Calamaria punctata is a native of the southern 
parts of North America ; resembles the last, but differs by 
a less cylindric body, a head more distinct from the neck, 
smaller scales, and a different system of colours. Above 
is of a deep brown-grey, with a white collar ; below of a 
yellowish-white. A series of black points extend along 
the middle line of the abdomen. Rows of scales, 15. S. 
170 + 50. 
11. Calamaria Oligodon, the eleventh species of the 
genus is remarkable, a^ it is the sole example of a serpent 
without palatal teeth ; but otherwise, in mould and appear- 
ance, analogous to the Calamars. Its head is rather thick, 
obtuse, and inflated at the cheeks. This species is also 
distinguishable by its colours : the inferior parts, as in the 
Cal. Linnsei, are of vermilion-red, with square spots ; the 
upper parts of a deep bronze, with large white spots distri- 
buted at regular distances on the back ; on the head are 
several black bands. This Calamar is rare in Java, and 
forms in Sumatra, Ceylon, and the Philippines, beautiful 
varieties, from the effect of climate, distinguished by the 
distribution of their tints ; the abdominal spots are red, 
