30 
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 
have almost every scale of tire body marked with a yellow spot in the 
centre, and often a somewhat indistinct, and frequently interrupted, yellow 
streak on each side. The abdominal plates are yellow, more or less 
blotched with hlack; and many species occur which have a number of 
diamond-shaped yellow spots upon the body, formed by a few of the 
lighter scales, and hence their name has probably arisen.* The head is 
covered with a number of irregular small scales, which are also more or 
less marked w r ith yellow, and the last seven scales of the lower jaw forming 
the line of the mouth are deeply pitted. By these grooved or hollowed 
scales the harmless character of the reptile may be at once ascertained, 
as not one of our venomous species has scales so marked. The line of 
the mouth—the “ gape”—is straight, as in venomous subjects; but the 
deep indentions which mark the last lower labial scales, the small irregular 
head shields, the numerous body scales, the prehensile tail, and the 
rudimentary limbs or spurs near the anus, can leave no doubt on the minds 
of persons v'ho know these facts as to what kind of reptile they have to 
deal wfith should they be wounded by a Diamond Snake. 
It must not be overlooked, however, that in Tasmania a highly 
venomous species (JZoploccphalus superbus ) has also received the name of 
“Diamond Snake;” and it is often the case that persons who have for some 
time resided in Tasmania describe “ Diamond Snakes” indiscriminately 
as highly venomous. To make a work of the present kind useful to all, 
co-operation is necessary ; and as a good sound English name is prefixed 
to every species, it is to be hoped that such name will, if possible, he 
retained, and that Tasmanian friends will accept another designation for 
the venomous “ Diamond Snake” of their island, namely,—Broad-scaled 
Snake ( Soplocephahis superbus). 
The range of this reptile {M. spilotes) is restricted to a very limited 
area of country, it being found in no other part of Australia than from Port 
Macquarie to Jervis Bay or perhaps Cape Howe, and from the coast to 
the western slopes of the Blue Mountains and the Liverpool Bange. In 
the plains watered by the Lachlan, the Murray, and the Murrumbidgee, 
this species is not found, the Carpet Snake ( Morelia variegata) there 
taking its place. 
* A very line Diamond Snake, with the yellow spots very large, and with numerous regular cross bands, 
has been received at the Museum from Brisbane Water $ it measures 8 feet 6 inches in length. 
