IlfNOCUOUS SERPENTS. 
145 
1 1 . Coluber quadrivirgatus, also from Japan, and very 
near the preceding species, from which it is distinguished by 
a more conical and less blunt head, covered with plates more 
elongated, by a less vigorous body, surrounded with 1 9 rows 
of scales only, and ornamented with 4 dorsal rays, distinct 
in the adult ; it is of a less strong make than the last, and 
has 200 + 87 scuta. The tints so vary, that some indi- 
viduals are found wholly black. 
12. Coluber Diadema. Scales carinated. S. 230 + 60 ; 
colour earth-brown ; a black band between the eyes. From 
India. 
13. Coluber miniatus, from the Isle of France. Habit 
thin ; tail extremely slender ; hence the great number of 
its scuta which amount to 199 + 145 ; 25 rows of smooth 
lozenge-formed scales ; ochre-yellow on the fore parts ; a 
tint which passes on the posterior parts into minium-red 
and to purple, varied with yellow marblings. 
14. Coluber variabilis, has the body annulated and 
spotted ^vith black and white, or yellow ; it has the bod}^ 
very slim, the trunk very compressed, the abdomen 
angular, and the back carinated. The lozenge-formed 
scales are very large, carinated, and disposed in 15 rows. 
S. 204 -f 100 ; teeth long and sharp ; there is a small ac- 
cessory lung. This species resembles certain tree-snakes 
of the genus Dipsas, particularly D. Dendrophila. Inhabits 
the woods of Surinam and Brazil. 
15. Coluber plumbeus is very recognisable by its uni- 
form system of colour ; lead-coloured above, yellomsh be- 
low. It is further distinguished by the presence of a long, 
grooved, posterior tooth, by its heav}^ and squat form, by 
a broad head, thick, and rounded ; and by its physiognomy 
resembling that of certain Homalopsis. It has a body 
almost cylindrical ; a short and conical tail ; scales almost 
square, with smooth and shinning surfaces, disposed in 19 
rows. S. 240-1-68. It is found the same in Brazil and 
in Surinam. 
16. Coluber Poecilostoma. — A beautiful species of 
large size, rare in Surinam, but comes also from Brazil ; 
distinguished by its very thick head, massive and broad, 
and covered with very wide plates ; by its lanceolate, cari- 
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