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Show 483 MR. E. SYMONDS ON SOUTH-AFRICAN SNAKES. [June 7, Head long, almond-shaped, supraorbital ridge very prominent. Teeth.-Upper jaw with two rows on each side ; lower jaw with one row on each side. Pupil circular; iris light brown, with the inner edge yellow. Colour.-Back striped as follows-in the centre a yellow line, then a brown stripe, next to that an orange one, then an olive-green stripe, next to that a very clean dead-white one adjoining the belly, which is greenish brown ; all the colours being very bright and clear. Habits.-Found in the long grass, very quick in its movements; and said to kill sheep !! I had one of these Snakes for some time in confinement, but it would not eat, though it drank a little milk ; I never saw it strike or try to bite. I often handled it, and it got tame after a time. 4. LEPTODIRA RUFESCENS. Length 18| inches ; from vent to tail 2| inches. Head heart-shaped, like a Viper's. Teeth.-Upper jaw with two rows on each side, at the back of the exterior row a large tooth which is movable; lower jaw with one row on each side. At the back of the jaws there was a small solid body rather like a gland, but I could not find a duct. Pupil a vertical slit. Colour.-Back and sides light greenish brown with fine white spots ; belly dirty white. Habits.-Very similar to those of the Vipers; it coils itself up, making a hissing noise loud for its size ; it seems sluggish, but strikes very suddenly and rapidly ; it is often found at night in little footpaths, and is hence called by the Dutch " Padlooper," or " Path-walker ; " it eats frogs. 5. LAMPROPHIS AURORA. Length 24 inches; from vent to tail 3| inches. Head flat and blunt; body thick and tail stumpy. Teeth.-Upper jaw with two rows on each side; lower jaw with one row on each side. Pupil circular. Colour.-Back olive-green, with a light yellow stripe down the centre ; belly yellowish white. I have only seen two specimens of this Snake, both killed close to the town of Kroonstad ; I know nothing of its habits. 6. NAJA HAJE. This specimen was given to me by Mr. Thomas Ayres, of Pot-chefstroom ; I regret that I have never seen this species alive. 7. SEPEDON HJEMACHATES. Length 4 feet 2 inches ; from vent to tail 8 inches. |