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SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 
Violet-black Snake, with the abdomen and fides crimfon; 
the fcuta margined with black. 
Abdominal Scuta 188. Anal.7. Subcaudal Scales 4s. 
THIS beautiful Snake, which appears to be unpro- 
vided with tubular teeth or fangs, and confequently not 
of a poifonous nature, is about three, and fometimes four 
feet in length. Its colour on the upper parts is a gloffy 
violet-black ; the fides of an elegant deep crimfon, which 
on the abdomen declines into a paler tinge, or more ap- 
proaching to whitifh; while the fcuta or broad femi- 
circular fcales which compofe this part, are each deeply 
bordered with black. The alternate fcales or divided 
{cuta beneath the tail are of a lead-colour, and the largeft 
feries of the crimfon fide-fcales are tipped with black ; 
which gives them an appearance peculiarly elegant. 
This Snake may be confidered as a f{pecies hitherto un- 
defcribed. 
