OCR Text |
Show APPENDIX C.- REPTILES. 353 is proportionally large, and so is the lower loral plate, as there exists a second loral above the first, much smaller than any of those of the orbital circle. A specimen of H. simus examined by us has shown a second similar small loral on one side of the head, while on the other it evidently did not exist, so that it may prove either not to be constant in JST. nasicus7 or to be likewise found in other species of the same genus. The rostral plate is directed upward, as in JST. simus, having the same general shape as in the latter. The tail has the same proportions with regard to the body as in H. platyrhinos, that is about the sixth of the entire length. The eyes are considerably smaller than in JST. platyrhinos, as we have compared specimens of both species, having the same length and size of body. The only specimen of JST. nasicus which we have seen is not a foot long, so that we have had to compare with it the young of JET. platyrhinos. Now, if our H. nasicus be immature, it is the young of a species which differs from those already known of the genus, as shown by the very great difference in size of the eyes, and those other characters which we have just described. In coloration, our species resembles more that of JST. platyrhinos than that of H. simus. The ground colour appears to be the same. There are in both species three rows of blackish- brown patches, bordered with a line of light yellow or white; but while these patches are elongated in ff. platyrhinos, they assume a more circular shape in JST. nasicus, although thejre is no regularity or symmetry about them. Two indistinct and much smaller rows exist on the sides. The lower part of abdomen and tail is almost entirely black. The throat and lower surface of head are unicolor, of the same hue as the ground colour of the body above. On the occiput, immediately behind the occipital plate, there is a Ian-ceolated patch, and on both sides of this a much greater irregularly oval one. Two brown stripes are seen on the top of the head, one over the anterior half of the eyes, extending vertically to the mouth, and another over the posterior half of the eye, hence obliquely backward, forming over the temples an elongated but much broader patch than in H. platyrhinos and JST. simus. This species was collected in Texas by General Churchill: a specimen is preserved at the Smithsonian Institution. |