tions. Preocular plate vertically lengthened, frenal quadrangular; frontal
plate large and slightly six-angled, anteriorly very broad, posteriorly
pointed; occipital plates large, as is also the plate immediately behind
post-ocular plates ; the central pair of submental plates the largest. Plates
of upper lip seven, exclusive of rostral ; of lower lip eight without the
mental. Abdominal plates with two angles, one towards each extremity;
the point of the tail armed with a small, rather obtuse, horny spine.
Abdominal plates 241; subcaudal scales 64 pairs; rows of scales at the
middle of the body 15. Length of the body 17-J inches; of tail 3 inches
4 lines.
This snake inhabits the eastern districts of the Cape Colony, and,,so far as I know, only
few specimens have yet been obtained. The colours as given are those presented by a specimen
preserved in spirit, but I am much disposed to believe they are not those exhibited by the
reptile when it is alive. It belongs to the group which includes the true Lycodons, and, like
them, has the teeth at or near the anterior extremities of the maxillïe and of the lower jaw
larger than the others, and not in the same line with them, being more external, from the
circumstance of each jaw forming a sort of elbow just behind these large teeth.
Another species of this genus has lately come under my notice—the specimen is in the
British Museum—the following are its characters:—Heterolepis Poensis. Head rather depressed,
anteriorly sub-spatulate, posteriorly wider than the neck; frontal plate small, six-
sided, and pointed posteriorly; frenal plate very small; colour above blackish-green; lips
and under parts intermediate between orange-yellow and king’s yellow ; rows of scales on
body, 15; abdominal plates, 256, the last very broad; subcaudal scales 67 pairs. Length
from the nose to the anus, 34 inches; length of tail, 7 inches. Inhabits Fernando Po.,