from the two hinder sides converging to a point, the width of the scale
rather greatest where the convergence commences; nasal plate rather
elongated and quadrangular; frenal short and quadrangular; preocular
plate vertically elongated four-sided, the upper side rather wider than the
lower; postocular plates small and quadrangular; temporal scales large,
and five or six-sided; plates of upper lip, exclusive of rostral, eight; of
lower lip, exclusive of mental, eight; sub-mental plates, two pairs, each
short, and rather broad. Body subcylindrical, rather flattened below ;
scales six-sided, and arranged in oblique transverse rows, nineteen rows
at the middle of the body, where it is thickest; scales on the tail shorter
and broader than those of the body, somewhat six-sided, the anterior and
posterior sides much the shortest; ventral plates, from side to side, rather
long and towards each extremity slightly inclined upwards ; tail below flat,
its apex a horny pointed prickle. Abdominal plates, 170. Subcaudal scales,
70 pairs. Length from nose to anus, two feet. Length of tail, seven inches.
This snake has an extensive range, being found in damp localities throughout the entire of
Southern Africa. It is generally discovered in marshy spots, and on the banks of rivers,
and is occasionally observed actually in water trying to capture frogs, &c., which form its
favourite food.
The circumstance of the hinder maxillary teeth being smaller than those more in front,
requires this snake, according to the arrangement proposed by Dumoril and Bibron, to he
classed in their division.* (Azemiophides.)
The eyes of this reptile being only partially covered superiorly, by the palpebral plates,
admit of a certain degree of vision upwards, in which respect it resembles the Homcepidre.
* Herpetologie General, par Dumeril et Bibron, tom vi. page 69.