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Show 1895.] BATRACHIANS EROM ADEN. 655 Gilgit, and Ladak the numbers vary from 225 to 246, and in Trans-caspia the variation is about the same. These facts would seem to indicate that certain geographical areas are characterized by variation more or less restricted within numerical limits distinctive of each area. " This I believe to be the commonest snake found in Aden. I had several specimens given me from various sources." 18. PSAMMOPHIS LACRTMANS, Eeuss. ? Coluber schokari, Forskal, Descr. An. &c. 1775, p. viii et p. 14. Coluber lacrymans, Eeuss, Mus. Senck. ii. 1834, p. 139. Psammophis punctatus, D. & B. Erpet. Gen. vii. 1854, p. 896, Atlas, ph 77. fig. 2, skull. Psammophis sibilans, var. hierosolimitana, Jan, Icon. Gen. livr. Mars 1870, pi. iii. fig. 2. Psammophis sibilans, var. quadrilineata, Jan, op. cit. livr. 34, fig. 1 d • Haithalhim. 1 2 • Shaikh Othman. Sex. d ... 2 - Snout to vent. 813 707 Tail. 255 437 Ventrals. 178 168 Anals. 1/1 1/1 Caudals. 149 Scales. 17 17 Upper labials. 9 9 Labials entering orbit. 5&6 5&6 Sex. d ... 2 - Sub-oculars. 0 0 Prse-oculars. 1 1 Relation of praeoculars and frontal. C. B. C. Postoculars. 2 2 Temporals. 2+3 24-3 Nasals. 2 2 Loreals. 1 1 The tail of the male is imperfect, but the injured extremity has become covered by a remarkably ungulate-like scale, forming a sheath to the tip, and keeled on its upper surface. On the right side of the male the first nasal is nearly wholly confluent with the rostral, an abnormality I have never before observed in any serpent, and Mr. Boulenger, in his wide experience, has never met with it. This specimen belongs to the variety which is uniformly coloured brownish olive, with generally a dark spot on each scale, the under surface being finely pnnctulated with blackish and reddish, most pronounced along the mesial area of the ventrals, with a black spot generally on the angle of each. The second specimen belongs to the lineated variety. This is the first record of the occurrence of this species in the Aden district. " Appears to be fairly common inland." |