40 
DESCRIPTION OF 
No. XXXIV. 
COLUBER. 
Abdominal Scuta 199] 
1320. 
Sub-caudal Squama 121 J 
Called by the natives Jen Potoo. Coluber Mucosus Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 388? 
Laut. Ainph. p. 7 7. N. 156. 
The head proportionally small, scarcely broader than the neck, ovate, depressed, but towards 
the rostrum, compressed. Besides the usual laminae, there are eight or ten, of various shapes, 
on each side of the hind head. The first pair, orbicular, between the nostrils; the next 
pair, irregularly square. The shield-form lamina, between the eyes, rather broad above; 
the lateral laminae, conical; the two posterior laminae, irregular hexagons. 
The mouth , wide; the jaws nearly of equal length ; the upper jaw a little divided. The 
teeth numerous, small, reflex; two palatal rows in the upper jaw, and one marginal. 
The eyes lateral, large, orbicular, prominent. The nostrils near the point of the rostrum, 
small, but gaping. 
The trunk : the neck covered with scales, small, oval, smooth, imbricate; the back, cari- 
nated; the sides, a little compressed ; the scales sub-rhomboidal; but four rows on the upper 
part of the back, are either carinated or striated. 
The length , five feet four inches. The circumference, near the head, two inches and a 
half; the thickest part of the trunk, four inches. The tail, taper, small, sharp pointed; 
measures one foot seven inches. 
The colour; the cheeks, and sides of the throat, are of a pale flesh, or whitish, colour, 
streaked transversely, with black lines. The jugular scuta, are of a yellowish-white, each 
(especially near the head) having a blackish spot on each side. The head, neck, and part 
of the trunk, are of a dull, yellowish-olive; the rest of the trunk, with the tail, have a 
lighter yellowish cast, variegated by transverse, black, lines and spots, joined together, which 
(in an unusual manner) become blacker, or more conspicuous, as they approach the tail. 
Half the abdominal scuta are of a dull white, strewed with dusky spots; but the inferior 
edge of each scale is of a purplish-black. The edges of the scales on the tail being black, 
make it appear as if regularly checkered: the sub-caudal squamae have the like appearance, 
but they are of a greenish-yellow. 
