INNOCUOUS SERPENTS. 
175 
in the front of the mouth ; of a reddish brown, varied with 
white marblings and dark spots, which are confluent, often 
forming dorsal rays ; 27 rows of strongly carinated scales. 
S. 170 + 50. 
8. Boa conic a. — Little known. From Bengal. Size 
of the preceding ; tail very short and conical : deep brown ; 
a large black ray, bordered with white, winds along the 
back ; on the sides a series of dark orbicular spots ; below 
of a pearly hue. S. 209 + 19.^ 
9. Boa Melanura. — An anomalous species, approxi- 
mating the Boa to the Tortrix. Size and habit of the 
species of the ancient world ; form massive ; head covered 
by nine rather small plates ; no hooks at the anus ; tail 
very short, and strongly prehensile ; 25 rows of carinated 
square scales. S. 206 + 38. Yellowish grey; a series 
of black spots on the sides, near the belly ; another series 
of very obsolete spots on the back ; the spots are confluent 
on the tail, giving it an uniform black tint ; below, clear 
ochre-yellow. 
PYTHON. 
This is the second genus of the Boa Family. It con- 
sists of serpents of large size, exclusively inhabiting the 
Old World. They have the intermaxillary provided with 
teeth ; the arch of their orbit is completed by a super- 
numerary bone, which does not exist in any other serpent ; 
and the subcaudal plates are found to be divided. The 
lips are always furrowed with fossettes, and the plates of 
the head are more developed than in the genuine Boa. 
1. Python bivittatus. — The rostral, and the two first 
labial plates only, are hollowed by fossettes ; muzzle and 
top of the head covered with irregular plates ; frenal re- 
gions excavated ; 63 rows of smooth small scales. S. 
270 + 70 . Of a yellowish tint, relieved by a design com- 
posed of broad, alternate, brown spots ; summit of the 
head bordered by two rays, forming the ground tint ; sides 
varied and chequered with black and white ; below with 
dark square spots. From the western coast of Africa, 
* [A small specimen is in the possession of the Translator.] 
