184 
ON THE PHYSIOONOMY OF SEEPENTS. 
shaped spots on the back, a broad angular mark on the 
head. Observed at the Cape, and on the Gold Coast. 
8. Naja lubrica. — ^Distinguishable by its body en- 
circled by black and red rings. Eostral plate very broad, 
and advancing far on the top of the muzzle. Size about 
two feet. 19 to 21 rows of smooth scales. S. 150 + 24. 
From the Cape. 
9. Naja Flaps. — Country unknown ; of a very large 
size. Intermediate between the Naja and the Flaps. 
F orm very powerful. Head distinct from the neck, which 
is not dilatable. Posterior frontal and occipital plates 
much developed. Labial plate just before the last carried 
up toward the temporal regions. Fyes very small. S. 
183 + 41. 15 rows of smooth lozenge-formed scales, of 
an ochre-yellow, with brown-marrone centres. 
10. Naja curt a. — Form extremely clumsy; pupil of 
the eye a little elongated vertically ; tail very short and 
thick; 19 rows of smooth scales; superciliary plates a 
little salient ; head very wide ; cheeks projecting ; of an 
uniform olive-green more pale on the lower parts. The 
native country New Holland. 
The Second Family of Venomous Serpents comprehends 
the Sea-Snakes, all of which I have united in the genus 
HYDE’OPHIS. 
They are easily distinguished from all other Ophidians 
by their very broad tail, elevated in a vertical direction in 
the form of an oar. Their head is small, of the same 
diameter as the trunk, and covered by plates, as in 
most serpents, but with this difference, that the nasals, 
rising to the summit of the muzzle, replace the anterior 
frontals, which are wanting ; the nostrils consequently 
are entirely vertical, have an orbicular form, and are 
capable of being shut by means of a valve. The lips 
have re-entering edges, so that the mouth may be closed 
hermetically. The eye is small and the pupil orbi- 
cular ; the fangs are small, and always followed by 
several solid delicate teeth. The trunk diminishes con- 
