III. HERPETOLOGY. By Albert Günther, M.A., Ph.D., M.D., F.R.S. (PLATES C, D.) DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES OF SNAKES FROM SOUTH-EASTERN AFRICA.

Family Colubridæ.

Coronella Tritænia, sp. n. (Plate C.)

Vertical shield elongate, twice as long as broad, longer than the two frontals together, or than the occipital which is rounded behind. Rostral shield extending on the upper surface of the head; loreal square; anteocular large, extending to the upper surface of the head, but not reaching the vertical; two post-oculars. Eight upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit, the last small. Two large anterior temporals which are in contact with both post-oculars; the outer temporals scale-like. Scales in seventeen rows, with a single apical groove. Ventrals 168; anal bifid; sub-caudals 61. Posterior maxillary tooth grooved. Ground colour light olive, with three well defined brown longitudinal bands; the median one commences behind the occipital and is lost in the middle of the tail; it occupies the median series of scales, and has a fine yellow line running along its middle; the lateral band commences underneath the canthus rostralis, and is continued to the end of the tail; it occupies the third and fourth outer series of scales and the adjoining halves of the neighbouring series; it has narrow black edges; the outermost series of scales is white like the abdomen, but with a faint brownish line. Lower parts pure white.

Total length 19 inches; the cleft of the mouth measuring six lines, and the tail 3½ inches.

Family Dryiophidæ.

Dryiophis Oatesii, sp. n. (Plate D.)

Allied to Dryiophis Kirtlandii, but the rostral shield is not reverted to the upper surface of the head; the præocular reaches to the upper surface only, remaining far distant from the vertical. Two post-oculars: temporals 1 + 2 + 2, the anterior being the smallest, and in contact with the upper post-ocular.

Head with very peculiar colouration; the upper surface is ornamented by a pink T-shaped figure, the horizontal bar stretching from eye to eye, and the vertical part occupying the middle of the occipital shields. This figure is finely mottled with black. An irregular, oblique, blackish line from the eye to the penultimate upper labial, the pink temporal scales margined with black. Body coloured as in D. Kirtlandii.

Total length 47 inches; the tail measuring 19 inches; length of the cleft of the mouth 14 lines.

App.Pl.C.

R.Mintern lith. Mintern Bros. imp.

CORONELLA TRITÆNIA.

App.Pl.D.

R. Mintern lith. Mintern Bros. imp.

DRYIOPHIS OATESII.