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HARVARD UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
or THE
MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY
Library of
SAMUEL CARMAN
70, 96.9
->Y w^iti
SEP 2 9 1928
JaAyr^aJ*'
ON THE
BATRACHIA AND KEPTT.LJ.A
OF COSTA KICA.
WITH BOTES ON THE
HERPKTOLOGY AND ICHTHYOLOGY OF NICARAGUA AND PERU.
BY E. D. COPE.
EXTRACTED FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL 80IEN0ES.
PHILADELPHIA:
1875.
SEP 2 3 1928
ON THE
BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA
OF COSTA RIGA.
WITH NOTES ON THE
HERPETOLOGY AND ICHTHYOLOGY OF NICARAGUA AND PERU.
BY E. D. COPE.
EXTRACTED FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.
PHILADELPHIA:
187 5.
-
Art. IV. — On the Batrachia and Reptilia of Costa Rica.
By E. D. Cope.
Costa Rica, the most southern of the states of Central America, lies between
eight and eleven degrees of north latitude, and presents great inequalities of surface.
Its length is traversed from northwest to southeast by the range of the Cordilleras,
which rise in their highest point, the Pico Blanco, in the southern part of the
republic, to an elevation of 11,800 feet. In the middle of the country the range
forms the western border of a plateau whose elevation is about 5000 feet, and
whose eastern rim is marked by a chain of volcanoes. The principal rivers of the
country, which flow into both oceans, take their rise in this plateau. Here also
the more important part of the population dwells, in the two towns of San Jose
and Cartago.
The climates of the eastern and western regions present material differences.
The eastern slope of the country receives the trade-winds loaded with the moisture
and clouds derived from the evaporation of the Caribbean Sea under a tropical sun.
Constant rain falls on the mountain sides, and the rivers flowing into the Caribbean
Sea are remarkable for the volume of water they contain as compared with the
length of their courses. The climate of the country west of the mountains is
much drier, but not so much so as to constitute aridity. The entire republic, but
especially the eastern region, is covered with a dense tropical vegetation.
Dr. Win. M. Gabb, from whose explorations much of my information is derived,
has discovered that the major part of the rocks of the country are of miocene age,
and that the elevation of the Cordilleras took place after the close of that period of
geologic time. The volcanoes bounding the plateau on the east are of later age.
The material on which the present investigations are based consists chiefly of
two collections. One made by Dr. Van Patten of San Jose was derived from the
country in the neighborhood of that city. The larger collection, made by Dr.
Wm. M. Gabb of Philadelphia, under the auspices of the government of Costa
Rica, was obtained in the southern portion of the region of Costa Rica which lies
east of the elevated mountain range which traverses that country, and at different
elevations on the range itself. According to Mr. Gabb, the most elevated point,
the Pico Blanco, in the southern part of the State, rises to the height of 11,800
24 (93)
94 OX THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
feet above the sea. The coast region includes a wide belt of swamps, and then
gradually rises to a height of two hundred feet at fifteen miles inland. From this
point the surface rises rapidly, so that at twenty-five miles the elevation is 2500
feet above the sea. The vegetation of the entire region is exceedingly dense.
At an elevation of from 5000 to 1000 feet is the region of greatest precipitation ;
rain falls here, according to Mr. Gabb, on more than two hundred days of the
year, and heavy fogs are of daily occurrence. The surface is often covered with a
deep layer of moss, and swamps abound. There is no belt of pines, as in Mexico,
but the extreme summits of the peaks are covered with a sparse vegetation con-
sisting chiefly of an Artemisia much like that of the Rocky Mountain region of
the United States, with whortleberries, a bamboo-like grass, a stunted tree fern,
and scattered tufts of grass.
The collections were made at Limon and Old Harbor, on the coast, and from
the latter locality inland to the foot of the Pico Blanco, and thence to its summit.
The principal inland stations were Sipurio, fifteen miles from the coast, elevated
200 feet, and Uren, twenty-five miles, elevated 2500 feet. Opportunity being
thus offered for determining their hypsometrical distribution, I give the following
lists of species which occur at different elevations. Thus certain species do not
occur further inland than ten miles from the coast ; these are : Dendrobates typo-
graphies ; D. tinctorius auratus ; D. talamancce. Bufo auritus is a coast species.
From Sipurio we have nearly all the snakes and lizards, and the following Batra-
chia : Hyla gabbii, H. uranochroa, and H. elceochroa ; Bufo hcematiticus. From
between this point and Old Harbor came Mocoa assata and Opheobatrachus ver-
micularis. From Uren, Cranopsis fastidiosus and Trypheropsis chrysoprasinus.
From higher points on the Pico Blanco, chiefly in the rainy zone, at from 5000 to
7000 feet, we have the following list : —
Lithodytes habenatus, Cope.
Lithodytes melanostictus, Cope.
Lithodytes megacephalus, Cope.
Lithodytes gulosus, Cope.
Hylodes cerasinus, Cope.
Ranula brevipalmata, Cope.
BA TRA Cm A,
Opheobatrachus vermicularis, Gray.
(Edipus morio, Cope.
Crepidius epioticus, Cope.
Ollotis ccerulescens, Cope.
Atelopus varius, Stann.
Hyla nigripe*, Cope.
Hyla punctariola, Peters.
Phyllobates hyleeformis, Cope.
Lithodytes podiciferas, Cope.
Lithodytes muricinus, Cope.
Sixteen species of Batrachia, three of Ophidia, and none of the other orders. On
OPHIDIA.
Colostoma psep>hotum, Cope.
Contia calligaster, Cope.
Bothriechis nigroviridis, Peters.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
95
the summit of the Pico Blanco Mr. Gabb obtained the Gerrhonotus fulvus of
Bocourt, the only lizard obtained from above the base of the mountains, and the
extreme southern point of distribution of the genus Gerrhonotus, so far as yet
known. It is worthy of remark that the elevated regions between 2500 and 7000
feet are the habitat of four genera with rudimentary auditory apparatus, while
but one (Atelopus) presenting that character was discovered by Mr. Gabb in the
lower country. Three of the four genera of frogs with imperfect organs of hearing
known from South America, viz.: Abodes, Phrynobatrachus, and Telmatobius, are
also from mountainous regions.
The Aguacate Mountains to the west of the plateau furnished a species of
lizard to the collection, the Chalcidolepis met alliens .
The collection obtained by Mr. Gabb embraces eighty-nine species, viz. :
Testudinata, 5 ; Lacertilia, 19; Ophidic, 35; and Batrachia, 30. The number of
species not previously known to science is thirty-seven. A report on a collection
made by Dr. Van Patten in the valley of central Costa Rica was published by the
writer in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy for 1871, p. 204, which
included forty-six species. Of these twenty-six do not occur in Mr. Gabb's collec-
tion. The names of these species are as follows: —
B A TRA CHI A.
Agalychnis moreletii, Durn.
Sinilisca baudinii, Dum. Bibr.
LA GER TILIA.
Phyllodactylus.
Cyclura acanlhura, Wiegm.
Sceloporus malachiticus, Cope.
Anolis hoffmannii, Peters.
Anolis nannodes, Cope.
Anolis insignis, Cope.
Anolis microtus, Cope.
OPHIDIA.
Epicrates cenchria, L.
Colobognathus dolichocephalus, Cope.
Colobognathus brachycephalus, Cope.
Colobognathus hoffmannii, Peters.
Colobognathus yiasalis, Cope.
A number of species, chiefly batrachians, have been sent to the Smithsonian
Institution by C. N. Riotte, which are of considerable interest. In addition to
the collections sent to the United States, others have been sent to Europe, and
Colosteus rhodogaster, Cope.
Ninia atrata, Hallow.
Ninia sebse, D. B. : maculata, Pet.
Tantilla melanocephala, L.
Rhadinsea serperaster, Cope.
Conophis lineatus, Dum. Bibr.
Liophis epinephelus, Cope.
Herpetodryas carinatus, L.
Drymobius margaritiferus, Schl.
Dipsas gemmistratus, Cope.
Thrasops mexicanus, D. B.
Dryiophis brevirostris, Cope-
Pelamis bicolor, Daud.
Elaps multifasciatus, Jan.
Elaps ornatissimus, Jan.
Elaps nigrocinctus, Gird.
Bothriechis affinis, Boc.
Crotalus durissus, L.
96 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
have been the objects of study by M. Bocourt of Paris, Peters of Berlin, Giintber
of London, and Keferstein of Gottingen. The explorers who have furnished the
material to these herpetologists have been Messrs. Hoffmann, Salvin, and Seebach.
The total number of species known from the investigations, now amounts to
one hundred and thirty-two. But many species have been described from the
adjoining states of Nicaragua and Chiriqui, and from Veragua, adjoining the
latter, of which many will be found to enter Costa Rica also. Thus it is evident
that this region is very rich in terrestrial cold-blooded vertebrata. The State of
Costa Rica is about equal in extent to that of South Carolina.
BATRACHIA.
GYMNOPHIONA.
1. Siphonops mexicanus, Dum. Bibr., viii. 284.
From the forest country near the coast at Limon.
URODELA.
2. OpHEOBATRAcnus vermicularis, Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1868, 297. (Edipina uniformis,
Keferstein, Archiv. fiir Naturgesch., 1868, 299.
Three specimens, one from the Pico Blanco, at 6000 feet elevation, of large size,
measuring m. .162 in length. The cranium of this one is completely ossified above,
but the choanse are not isolated, but open into the orbit by a wide fissure. The
two other specimens are from the lower country, twenty miles from the coast.
3. CEdiptjs morio? Cope, Proc. Academy Philadelphia, 1869, p. 103.
A partly preserved specimen from the eastern slope of the Pico Blanco.
ANURA.
BUFONIFORMIA.
4. Cranopsis fastidiosus, Cope, gen. et sp. now Bufonidarum.
Char. Gen. — No ostia-pharyngea nor tympanum ; no vomerine teeth. Cranial
integument entirely occupied by a rugose ossification ; parotoid glands present.
Fingers and toes distinct, the latter palmate.
This genus is Peltaphryne, Cope, with the auditory apparatus wanting. Char,
spec. — Size of the Bufo lentiginosus. The head wide, not depressed, the cranial
ridges consisting of elevated canthus rostralis, supra- and post-orbital border and
a supra-tympanic crest extending to the parotoid gland. These, especially the
last, are obtusely thickened. The supra-tympanic crest is produced downwards
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
97
behind the orbit as a rugose osseous plate to opposite the inferior border of the
pupil of the eye, bounding the position usually occupied by the membranum
tympani by a rough concave margin. The canthus rostrales are short and inclose
a groove between them ; the loreal and labial regions are rugose with small tubercles.
The profile of the muzzle descends abruptly to the lip, which it does not overhang.
The nostrils are as far removed fi-om each other as each one is from the orbit. The
posterior outline of the cranial ossification is squarely truncate in adults.
The parotoid glands are short, subtriangular, sublateral, and as deep as long.
They are not continued into a fold. The upper surfaces of the body and limbs
are studded with round warts, so closely on the latter region as to resemble a
pustular disease. A row of larger tubercles extends from the parotoid gland to
the axilla. The inferior surfaces support numerous smaller tubercles. The fingers
are short and free, and the palmar tubercles are very obtuse. There are neither
tarsal folds nor tubercles, those of the sole being very obscure. Toes half- webbed.
The end of the longest toe reaches the end of the muzzle when the limb is
extended, and the longest finger reaches the vent.
The color above is yellowish-brown ; below, dirty brown. A blackish band
extends from the parotoid to the axilla, the color not affecting the apices of the
tubercles in its course, and sometimes extending to the abdomen. Throat with a
black spot; top of head yellow or brownish-yellow.
M.
Length of head and body
" to orbit ....
" to posterior border of cranium
" to axilla
" of fore limb
" of hand
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot
Several specimens from 2500 feet elevat
the district of Uren.
.058
.005
.016
.023
.035
.013
.060
.035
on on the slope of the Pico Blanco, in
5. Crepidius epioticus, Cope, gen. et sp. nov. Bufonidarum.
Char. Gen. — No ostia-pharyngea, membranum tympani, nor vomerine teeth ;
parotoid gland present. Cephalic derm not occupied by ossification. The digits
of all the feet inclosed in the skin, leaving the longest median toe projecting ;
inner digits of both feet rudimental.
In this new genus the structure is much as in Atelopus, resembling also, but in
25
98
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
less degree, the genus Oedipus of the salamanders. In other respects the form is
that of OUotis, Cope.
Char. Specif. — Size medium ; cranial crests consisting of supra-tympanic,
supra-orbital, and canthal ridges, the last two continuous with each other and
extending in a nearly straight line to the nares, with a slight thickening opposite
the front of the orbit. The intervening concave surface is of moderate width.
The superciliary ridges send inwards a short tuberosity at the posterior third of the
orbit. The supra-tympanic is short and very protuberant, giving the cranium an
angulate outline. There is a low, narrow, post-orbital ridge. No trace of mem-
branum tympani. Parietal region with several small osseous nodules on each side.
Parotoid very small, subround. Skin everywhere rugose with minute tubercles,
which are sparse on the dorsal, dense on the ventral, regions. Soles smooth, no
tarsal, carpal, or solar tubercles or folds. Longest digit on both extremities
projecting 2.5 phalanges beyond the flat mass which includes the other digits.
Femur half-inclosed in inguinal integument. A concave dermal fold from end of
each sacral diapophysis to parotoid gland, which is easily obscured.
M.
Length of head and body 035
" to orbit .
to angle of jaw
to axilla :
to groin
.004
.011
.017
.030
.019
.007
.030
.018
" of fore limb
" of fore foot
" of hind limb (free portion)
" of hind foot
General color black, above a little lighter with a few darker spots on each side ;
soles yellowish ; entire scapular region brown ; sometimes a brown median dorsal
band.
From 5000 feet elevation on Pico Blanco.
6. Ollotis ccerulescens, Cope, gen. et sp. nov. Bufonidarum.
No ostia-pharyngeanor membranum tympani. Parotoid glands present. Digits
free on all the feet. Cranial derm not occupied by ossification.
This genus may be regarded as Bufo with the auditory apparatus incomplete,
agreeing in this respect with the preceding genera Crepidius and Cranopsis.
Char. Specif. — The largest specimen is about an inch in length, and hence
perhaps not adult, although there are no marks of immaturity observable. There
ON TIIE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
99
are no cranial ridges except a protuberant supra-tympanic ; the superciliary ridges
are slightly prominent and continued behind in straight lines by two angles of the
parietal bone. No trace of membranum tympani. The canthus rostrales are
straight and angular, and the lores elevated ; the nares are nearer to each other
than each is to the orbit. The tongue is large and elongate. The skin of the
back and sides is studded with numerous spaced tubercles, and the lower surfaces
are nearly smooth. There is no tarsal fold, and the palmar and plantar tubercles
are obsolete. The digits are all distinct, those of the hind foot half-webbed. The
wrist of the fore limb, and the end of the second toe of the hind limb extended,
reach the end of the muzzle.
M.
. .025
. .008
. .003
. .010
. .021
. .014
. .005
. .023
. .013
Upper surfaces blackish, the tubercles brown ; below black, thickly marked
with light blue spots.
From 3000 to 5000 feet elevation on Pico Blanco.
Leng
th of head and body
Widt
h of head behind
Leng
th to orbit .
cc
to axilla
CC
to groin .
It
of fore limb
It
of fore foot
cc
of hind limb
cc
of hind foot
7. Bufo auritus, Cope, sp. nov.
Vertex flat, bounded by a vertical superciliary crest on each side, which is
slightly bent where it gives off the postorbital crest, and then continues to the
posterior border of the cranium. Post-orbital ridge prominent, presenting an open
angle where it gives off the supratympanic, particularly prominent as the anterior
border of the tympanic membrane. Supratympanic horizontal, prominent. Supra-
orbital crests abruptly incurved at the loreal region, and separated by a narrow
groove at the summit of the muzzle. No preorbital crest. End of muzzle narrow,
produced beyond the line of the upper lip ; external nares nearer each other than
the orbit. Parotoid gland quite small, surmounted by several dermal spines.
Tubercles of the skin small, spinulose, most numerous on the sides, wanting below.
Tarsus without fold, spinulose ; palmar and solar tubercles insignificant. Digits
elongate, the fingers remarkably so; the toes half-webbed. The wrist reaches
beyond the end of the nose, as does also the heel of the extended hind limb. The
100
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
membranum tympani is distinct in its anterior half, and the ostia-pharyngea are
minute.
Length of head and body .
Width of head behind
Length to orbit .
" to posterior border skull
" to axilla
" to groin
" of fore limb .
" of fore foot
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot .
M.
.031
.010
.004
.010
.015
.026
.023
.010
.038
.021
Color brown ; a quadrate patch on vertex from orbits to occiput, an oblique
band from the latter outwards on each side, and a spot on each lateral sacral region
black. Belly marbled with black ; throat and limbs below, dusky.
This species resembles in its general appearance the Crepidius epioticus, Cope,
but differs in many points, both generic and specific. It is also allied to the Bufo .
veraguensis, Schmidt, but according to that author the supra-tympanic crest is
much smaller than in B. auritus.
Two specimens from the East coast region.
8. Bufo valliceps, Wiegm. B. nebulifer, Girard, TJ. S. Mex. Boundary Survey, 11.(2) 25, PI.
XL. f. 1.
A variety with narrow cranial crests, and less fully webbed toes ; the ground
color is light, and is marked with large black spots forming a row on each side of
the median line. Throat and breast black, pale spotted.
Bufo coccifer, Cope. Proceed. Acad. Philada., 1866, p. 130.
Parotoids round semi-globular. Muzzle narrowly rounded, nearly as long as
orbit. Strong bony, canthal, pre-, sub-, and postorbital, supratympanic and supra-
orbital ridges; the last regularly curved and sending a parietal branch towards the
median line ; the first rapidly converging, leaving only a gutter between. Tym-
panum one-fifth orbit. Everywhere minutely tubercular, those of the sides and
forearm conic; soles rough, web short, metatarsal tubercles small, obtusely promi-
nent ; tarsal fold scarcely visible. Heel to axilla. Two obtuse metacarpal warts.
Gray brown ; a yellow vertebral line, with numerous chestnut brown light
bordered spots on each side. Sides with two longitudinal brown bands ; one from
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 101
parotoid and one from groin. Limbs irregularly light varied above. Under sur-
face immaculate.
Length of head and body 2 in. 6 1. ; breadth at angle of jaws below, 1 in. ;
length of fore limb 1 in. 5 1. ; length of foot 1 in. 3 1.
C. N. Riotte. Smithsonian collection, No. 6490.
This handsome species resembles the B. ocellatus, Gthr., in coloration.
10. Bufo sternosionatus, Giinther, Catal. Batracb. Salientia Brit. Mus. 1858, p. 68.
Said to have been found in Costa Rica by Keferstein, Archiv. fiir Natur-
geschichte, 1868, 294.
11. Bufo agua, Daudin.
Large and small specimens from the Eastern coast. This species is especially
abundant about houses.
12. Bufo h^ematiticus,* Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philadelphia, 1862, 157. Sipurio.
FIRMISTERNIA.
13. Hypopachus vakiolosus, Cope. Engystoma variolosum, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philada. 1866,
p. 131; Proceed. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1869, p. 166. Hypopachus seebachii, Keferstein, Nach-
richten Gottingen, 186Y, p. 352; Archiv. f. Naturgeschichte, 1868, Tab. IX., figs. 1, 2.
The genus Hypopachus resembles Engystoma, but differs in the important par-
ticular of the possession of a claviculus, as was first pointed out by Dr. Keferstein.
It is therefore to be referred to the family of the Phryniscida.
Two strong compressed metatarsal tubercles, a sublongitudinal cuneiform and
subtransverse opposite it: toes slightly webbed. Width between tympanic regions
nearly double the length from muzzle to nuchal fold. Muzzle prominent, as long
as orbit, nostrils nearly terminal. Mandible with two symphyseal notches, and
median knob. Tongue flat, elongate ; slits of vocal vesicle large. Heel to front
of scapula.
Dark brown above ; under side, limbs, and belly darker, with numerous large
yellowish spots. Sides anteriorly blackish-brown, which color has a serrate margin
above. Femora, forearms, and tarsi brown behind, with coarse yellow vermicula-
tions : some yellow spots behind the angle of the mouth. Length of head and
body 1 in. 4.5 1.; of posterior limbs 1 in. 7 1.
Chas. N. Riotte. Mus. Smithsonian, No. 6486.
* The Bufo simus, Schmidt, Denkschriften K. K. Akadeniie Wien, 1858, p. 251, will probably be found in
Costa Rica.
26
102
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
14. Atelopds varius, Stannius.
Very abundant both on the Pico Blanco range, and in the lower country.
The markings are vermilion on a black, or, in the case of the mountain specimens,
a green ground. In some of the latter the red markings are few, and in others
altogether wanting, leaving a uniform pea-green.
15. Dendrobates typographic, Keferstein, Archiv. f. Naturgeschichte, 1868, p. 298, PI. IX. fig. T.
Dendrobates ignitus, Cope, Proceed. Academy, Phila., 1874, p. 68.
The form described by me as D. ignitus differs from the one observed by Kefer-
stein, in the uniform red of the dorsal region. Both occur in Mr. Gabb's collection.
From the low country, not more than ten miles inland.
16. Dendrobates tinctorius, Wagl., var. auratus, Girard, Steindachner Verhandl. der K. K.
Zool. hot. Gesselsch., Wien, 1864, p. 261.
Numerous, and exclusively from the lower country, not extending far inland.
17. Dendrobates talamanc^e, Cope.
Allied to the Dendrobates lugubris, Schmidt, Denkschr. K. K. Akad., Wien,
1858, p. 250.
First finger longer than the second ; the skin of the upper surfaces entirely
smooth ; tympanic membrane very obscure. Head elongate, muzzle depressed,
truncate, the nares equidistant from each other and the orbits. When the limbs
are extended, the wrist reaches the front, and the heel the middle of the orbit.
No tarsal fold ; palmar and solar tubercles insignificant.
Color brown above, separated by a border of light pigment from the white of
the lower surfaces. This border continues as a light border of the upper lip round
the end of the muzzle. Top of muzzle, and a band from the eye to the groin on
each side, yellowish. Upper surface of fore limbs yellow. External surfaces of
femur and tibia covered with a light pigment. Posterior face of femur black, with
a short yellow band on each side directed outwards from behind the groin, forming
with the light band of the superior face of the femur, a hook-shaped pattern.
M.
Length of head and body ........ .022
" of head to angle jaw
Width of head behind
Length to orbit .
" to axilla
" of fore limb
" of fore foot
" of hind limb
" of hind foot
From near Old Harbor on the East coast
.008
.006
.003
.010
.011
.005
.027
.012
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 103
ARCIFERA.
18. Htla gabbii, Cope, sp. nov.
A rather large species resembling the Smilisca baudinii, D. B. Vomerine teeth
in two short transverse series between the interior nares. Choanse and ostia pha-
ryngea subequal; tongue round, scarcely free behind. Head short, wide; canthus
decided, concave ; nares much nearer each other than each one is to the orbit.
Membranum tympani less than half the area of the orbit. Integument of upper
surfaces nearly smooth. Fingers well webbed to the base of the penultimate
phalange of the longest ; toes webbed to near the end of the corresponding
phalange of the hind foot. Digital dilatations large, about equal to the tympanum.
Lower surfaces areolate.
Color ashy-brown, the pigment forming a narrow band on the upper face of
the femur. Anterior and posterior faces of femur dusky, without coloration figure.
Some large irregular brown spots on the back, groin marbled with light-brown and
white. Lip with a faint pale border, no large spots on it or the lores. Tibia and
cubitus with broad pale-brown cross-bands ; lower surfaces all whitish.
M.
Length of head and body ........ .056
" of head to angle of jaws . . . . . . .016
Width of head at angle of jaws . . . . . . . .020
Length to orbit 007
to axilla 022
of fore limb 032
of hind limb 093
of hind foot 040
This tree-frog resembles the Smilisca baudinii, but differs in the absence of the
post-orbital process, the more extensive palmation of the fingers, and the absence
of the characteristic spots on the upper lip. It is dedicated to William M. Gabb,
of the Geological Survey of Costa Rica (formerly of Santo Domingo and of
California), to, whom herpetological science is indebted for the collection now
described.
From near Sipurio.
19. Htla uranochroa, Cope, sp. nov.
A species of the size of the Hyla carolinensis, and related to it in general
structure. The vomerine teeth are in two fascicles exactly between the inner
nares, which are small and just equal to the ostia pharyngea in size. Tongue
round, little free. The head is wide and the muzzle rounded, the canthus rostralis
104 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
obtuse and moderately concave. Nostrils considerably nearer each other than to
orbit, which is large and equal to twice the area of the tympanum. The toes are
short, and digital dilatations large ; the fingers have a short web, which is deeply
emarginate; the toes are not fully webbed, the membrane notched to opposite the
proximal end of the antepenultimate phalange. Head and body elongate, so that
when the limbs are closed the knee and elbow are not in contact. The heel
reaches the middle of the orbit, and the longest finger the femur. Skin smooth
above, areolate below.
Color above, blue ; below 1 yellow (whitish pigment in alcohol). The blue
pigment is sharply bordered along the sides and extends on the upper surfaces of
the humerus and femur, as well as cubitus, tibia, and tarsus, and on the base of the
outer finger, and entire surface of outer two toes. Upper lip yellow bordered all
round ; vent yellow, no inguinal, femoral, labial, or other spots.
M.
Length of head and body ........ .040
" to angle of jaw . - . . . . . . . .010
to axilla 014
" to groin 036
Width of head behind 014
Length of fore limb 022
" of fore foot 010
" of hind limb 055
" hind foot 025
From near Sipurio.
20. Hyla nigripes, Cope, sp. nov.
A species of the size of Hyla carolinensis, with longer head and limbs than the
last described species. Vomerine teeth in two short transverse series between the
inner nares; the latter equal to the ostia pharyngea. Tongue longer than wide.
The head is an oval, but the muzzle does not project ; the canthus rostrales are
a little concave, and the lores are oblique. The orbits are large and from four to
five times the area of the tympanum. The digital dilatations are moderate, the
web of the fingers extending about half-way to the end of the longest, notched
deeper than the line of the penultimate phalange. Web of toes not extending to
end of penultimate phalange. Upper surfaces smooth, the lower finely areolate.
Color dark-brown, limbs and feet blackish. Lip brown, groin finely white and
blackish marbled; no lateral border or band. Posterior face of femur black,
unspotted ; no spots on any other region. Sides of throat black-dusted.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
105
Length of head and body
to orbit .
" to angle of jaws
Width of head at angle of
Length of fore limb .
" of fore foot
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot .
When the limbs are closed, t
aws
M.
.039
.005
.011
.013
.024
.010
.065
.016
he knee and elbow overlap some distance. The
species in form and sombre colors resembles some of the Scytopes, but is a true
Hyla.
18. Hyla el^ochroa, Cope, sp. nov.
A small species with elongate oval head and uniform coloration. The vomerine
teeth are entirely between the nates, and form two short series directed backwards
towards the middle line; in some specimens the backward inclination is very slight.
The choanse are larger than the ostia pharyngea, and the tongue longer than wide.
The muzzle is elongate and plane above, and slightly projecting. The nares are
as far from each other as from the lip border, and nearly twice as far from the
orbit. Eyes large, four or five times the area of the membranum tympani.
Digital dilatations large ; fingers entirely free. Toes with emarginate webs not
reaching the end of the antepenultimate phalange of the longest toe, which is
rather short. Skin above smooth, below finely areolate on the abdomen. Legs
long, the heel reaching the end of the muzzle, the wrist not quite reaching the
same point.
Color above and below a uniform olivaceous, without spots. A pale area below
the eye ; lip faintly marbled.
Length of head and body
" to angle of jaws
Width of head at angle of
Length of head to orbit
" to axilla
" of fore limb .
" of fore foot
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot .
aws
M.
.026
.009
.009
.0045
.011
.016
.007
.044
.019
27
106 OX THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
The pre-frontal bones in this species are unusually wide.
Three specimens from the east foot of the mountains near Sipurio.
19. Hyla punctariola, Peters, Monatsberickte K. Preuss. Acad. Wiss. 1863, p. 462.
Five specimens from the Cordilleras, at from 5000 to 7000 feet, agree in
essentials with the above-named species, but differ entirely from it in coloration,
as well as from each other. Two of the specimens agree with each other exactly
in this respect, and as Hyla: are, as far as my experience extends, very constant in
coloration, I suspect that the forms below described are true species.
The H. punctariola is distinguished by the posterior position of its vomerine
teeth, the small tympanic membrane, and the free fingers. In all of the Costa
Rican specimens the fingers are not entirely free, but a web extends between the
outer two to the middle of the first phalange. The area of the tympanum in the
same is one-fourth that of the orbit. The head is short and wide, and the heel
extends nearly or quite to the end of the muzzle.
Subspecies pictipes: color light brown above, not sharply bordered on the sides,
below white. Edge of upper lip, tarsus, and outer toe, white. The sides are
marbled with dark-brown and yellow from near axilla to groin; and the front and
back of the femora on each side of the superior brown longitudinal band are
yellowish-brown, spotted with bright yellow. Two outer toes brown, inner toes
yellow. Humerus, cubitus, and two outer fingers, brown above. Back, lips, and
belly, unspotted. Two specimens.
Subspecies moesta. Above brownish-black, sides and femora, except above and
below, deep black. Some white spots on sides behind axilla?, and some small
yellow ones near groin. A few minute white points on front and back of femur,
and upper surfaces of feet. Otherwise the limbs and hands, except the thumb, are
black. Lower surfaces thickly black spotted except on breast and tibia, Avhere the
white predominates. One specimen.
Subspecies monticola. Color light grayish-brown with large dark-brown spots,
forming transverse bars, one between the eyes, one in front of the scapulas, one
behind the scapulae, and one at the sacrum. Below unspotted white. Limbs with
light-brown surfaces above; concealed surfaces pale, unspotted. No inguinal
spots; a few specks of brown on sides. Length of head and body .037 m. Size
of H. p. moesta identical ; of H. p. pictipes a little smaller. One specimen.
The original H. punctariola is from Veragua, Panama.
Before leaving the genus Hyla, I may mention that the Hyla polytcenia, Cope,
(Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1869, p. 164) has been described by Prof. Peters as H.
striata (Monatsber. K. Preuss. Acad. 1872, p. 681).
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
107
20. Smilisca baudinii, Dum. Bibr. {Hyla). Smilisca, Cope.
San Jose, Dr. Van Patten.
21. Agalychnis moreletii, A. Duui. {Hyla). Agalychnis, Cope. Hyla holochlora, Salvin.
San Jose, Dr. Van Patten.
22. Phyllobates hyleformis, Cope, sp. nov.
A species of medium size, resembling a Hyla in its habit. The head is a
broad oval, and the muzzle is not produced, but is depressed. Interorbital space
wide, plane; canthus rostralis obtuse, straight, lores oblique. Tongue an elongate
oval narrowed before, flat, and one-half free. Ostia pharyngea very minute ;
membranum tympani one-sixth of orbit. Fingers and toes free, dilatations rather
large. Skin smooth above and below.
Color above rich brown, divided on the vertebral line by a narrow red stripe.
Femora light brown before and behind. Gular region with large vocal sac, of a
rose color. Abdomen and inferior surfaces of femur and tibia with a rosy or
orange pigment.
M.
.027
Length of head and body .
" to orbit .
" to angle of jaws
Width between angle of jaws
" orbits
Length fore limb
" fore foot
" hind limb
" hind foot
From the mountain of Pico Blanco, at 7000 feet elevation.
.003
.009
.010
.003
.017
.006
.037
.018
23. Liyla gdentherii, Keferstein, Archiv fur Naturgescliichte, 18G8, p. 296.
Allied to the species of Lithodytes, and unknown to me.
24. Lithodytes podiciferus, Cope, sp. nov.
Allied to the L. conspicillatus. The head and body short, and the hinder limbs
long. Canthus rostralis straight, end of muzzle truncate, not projecting beyond
lip. Vomerine teeth in two short series entirely behind the internal nares, but
directed forwards and outwards towards them. Outline of mouth an oval. Muzzle
plane above, parietal region slightly concave. Membranum tympani two-thirds the
size of the orbit. Ostia pharyngea a little larger than choanae. Nostrils much
nearer to each other than to the orbits. Skin smooth. The muzzle extends beyond
108
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
the wrist of the appressed fore limb, and marks a point a little beyond the middle
of the tibia. Digital dilatations very small. All the specimens from the level of
from 5000 to 7000 feet.
The colors of this species vary remarkably, more than I have observed to be
the case in any other frog. All of the varieties agree in having a large triangular
brown patch below the vent, a dark line along the canthus rostralis, and dark
crossbars on the legs. They differ as follows : —
Var. A. Dark-brown above and below ; speckled on the lower surfaces with
dirty-white; side of head deep-brown to membranum tympani. Sometimes a
white vertebral line, and a transverse one like it on the posterior face of the femur.
Numerous specimens, all from 7000 feet on the Pico Blanco.
Var. B. Similar to the last, but with a bright rufous spot extending from
the eye forwards to the lip border; a white spot from the tympanic disc downwards
and backwards. Two specimens.
Var. C. Cherry-red everywhere except on the abdomen ; a brown spot below
the eye, one behind the tympanum, and several on the back. Sole of tarsus and
foot black. One specimen.
Var. D. Dirty-white, with four longitudinal brown bands above. An oblique
brown band from orbit to abdomen, ceasing at the middle of the side. A broad
blackish band with pale centre from groin upwards parallel to and well removed
from the other oblique band. Lower surfaces white. One specimen.
The small digital dilatations and obtuse muzzle are characters which distinguish
this frog from the L. conspicillatus as at present defined.
25. Lithodytes MURiciNus, Cope, spec. nov.
Canthus rostralis straight angular, muzzle narrowly truncate. Tympanic disc
equal eye. Vomerine teeth in two short transverse fasciculi behind the internal
nares, well separated from each other, and not extending outwards beyond the line
of the inner border of the inner nares. Tongue elongate, flat, and extensively free
behind. Digital dilatations small ; the heel of the extended hind limb marks the
end of the muzzle.
Sides of head and body and upper surfaces of limbs black, unspotted ; below
light-brown unspotted ; above uniform red purple.
M.
Length head and body ........ .0200
" to angle of jaws ........ .0075
" of fore limb 0110
" of hind foot 0150
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 109
The shorter hind limbs and larger tympanic membrane, with the more
transverse and widely separated vomerine teeth, distinguish this from the last
species. Represented by one small specimen from the Pico Blanco.
29. LlTHODYTES HABENATUS, Cope, Sp. nOV.
This species, also represented by one specimen, agrees with the Lithodytes
muricinus in the points just enumerated in which it differs from the L. podiciferus.
Its general color is blackish-brown above, and dirty-white below. On each side
above, a white band extends from the orbit to the middle of the side, where it is
continuous with the pale color of the abdomen. The vomerine teeth are in small
fasciculi, well separated, and both behind and within the line of the nares.
M.
Length of head and body ........ .022
" hind limb 037
hind foot 015
From the Pico Blanco.
30. Lithodytes melanostictus, Cope, sp. nov.
A species of distinct type from the preceding in its short head and longer body.
Size of Rana temporaria. The vomerine teeth are in two short transverse series
entirely behind the inner nares, well separated from each other and not extended
outwards beyond the line of the inner margin of the nares. Choanse and ostia
pharyngea sub-equal ; tongue sub-round, one-third free, and a little emarginate
behind. Head flat, wide, muzzle projecting a little, canthus rostrales straight
convergent. Nostrils more than twice as far from orbits as from end of muzzle ;
their distance apart 1.33 times in their distance from the orbit. Loreal region
and lip oblique. Diameter of eye equal distance from its border to the nostril,
its area four times that of the membranum tympani, which is a rather narrow
vertical oval. Skin everywhere smooth. Limbs long, dilatations of fingers large,
of toes moderate. The muzzle marks the middle of the cubitus and a little
beyond the middle of the tibia. The order of lengths of the fingers is, 1-2-4-3 ;
first and third toes equal. The sternum is a wide cartilaginous shield notched at
the end. There is a well-developed zygomatic process of the squamosal bone, but
no corresponding malar process.
M.
Length of head and body ........ .050
" to angle of jaws (axial) . . . . . .015
Width of head at angle of jaws 022
Length to orbit (oblique) ........ .007
28
110 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Length to axilla .......... .019
Width of sacrum 009
Length of fore limb ......... .037
of fore foot 019
of hind limb 096
of hind foot 045
Ground-color above, brownish-gray; below, dirty-white. The limbs are cross-
banded rather distantly with blackish, the bars extending on the front and back
faces of the femur as well as on the upper surfaces. A white median band from
muzzle to vent, which is bounded on the sides at different points with blackish.
A pink band extends from above each tympanum to the end of the ilium, and is
broadly bordered with black on the outer side, this color extending on the sides of
the animal as oblique black spots. The tympanum is black and sends a black bar
to the rictus oris ; two black bars pass directly from the orbit to the lip, and
another by the canthus rostralis and nares to the same.
One specimen from 7000 feet elevation on the Pico Blanco.
31. LlTHODYTES MEGACEPHALUS, Cope, sp. nOV.
A large species with the physiognomy of a Ceratophrys. Head very large,
wide, and depressed, with oblique lips and lores. The end of the muzzle descends
obliquely from the nares to the lip. Orbit as long as the distance from its border
to the nostril, which is close to the line of profile, and distant from its fellow two-
thirds its distance from the orbit. Canthus rostralis distinct, not prominent, very
little concave. Orbits oblique, the superciliary borders rising from the end of their
anterior third into a strong ridge, which runs in a straight line and terminates
abruptly in a slight thickening at the posterior border of the cranium. The
posterior half of the cranium above is thus deeply grooved, while the top of the
muzzle is plane. The tympanic membrane is a vertical oval equalling one-third
the area of the opened eye; its long diameter enters the latter 1.75 times; its
6hort diameter, three times. The vomerine teeth are in two short approximated
series entirely behind the posterior borders of the choanae. Each is convex
forwards, and does not extend exterior to the line of the inner boundary of the
choanal. The tongue is oval, longer than wide, and widest behind where it is
entire. Ostia pharyngea larger than choanae. The limbs are short, and the
fingers and toes entirely free. The dilatations are small, especially on the hands,
but the terminal phalanges are T-shaped. The wrist extends beyond the end of
the muzzle, while the heel only reaches to the middle of the orbit. There is a
ON THE BATRACHIA AXD REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Ill
small but prominent obtuse cuneiform bone at the base of the inner toe ; other
than this there are no folds or tubercles on the tarsus or carpus.
The skin is smooth on the upper and lower surfaces, with the following
exceptions : A dermal fold extends from each exoccipital region on each side of
the back, pursuing a concave course to the middle of the transverse process of the
sacrum. A similar fold extends from the vent on each side, in an oblique direction
to the end of the transverse sacral process. Sides of body areolated.
The exoccipital bone sends inwards and backwards a recurved crest, in antici-
pation, as it were, of the " parieto-quadrate" arch of Ceratophrys. There is
also a strong zygomatic process of the squamosal, but no malar process to meet it.
The color above, in spirits, is a light ash ; below white, the sides of an inter-
mediate shade. A black spot extends from the tympanum to the scapula, and
sends a line to the eye. The posterior face of the femur is black marbled distally
with ash ; the black extends as a well-defined patch to the vent. Entire sole of
foot black. Legs distantly cross-banded above. Lips brown ; some small dark
spots on the lower rim of the orbit. The breast, abdomen, and lower side of
femur and tibia are marked with black, forming a figure like the refuse of the
plates of a button-maker, t. e., representing the interstices between large confluent
white spots.
Length of head and body .
" to orbit (oblique)
" to angle of jaws (axial)
Width at angle of jaws
" of interorbital region
" of sacrum
Length of fore limb .
of fore foot
of hind limb
of hind foot
M.
.070
.011
.025
.035
.007
.017
.038
.016
.092
.045
This species is intermediate between the Ceratophrydine group of Cystignathiche
and the Hylodine, and illustrates the propriety of their union as I proposed in
1865. I find no technical characters by which to separate it from Lithodytes, in
which genus it is analogous to the Hylodes sulcatus in the genus Hylodes, where
the same elevation of the superciliary borders appears. With present experience
in the genus Bufo, such a character does not appear to warrant generic separation.
A female specimen, containing eggs ready for deposit, was taken by Mr. Gabb
on a spur of the Pico Blanco, at 6000 feet elevation.
112
OX THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
32. Lithodytes OULOSCS, Cope, sp. nov.
The description of the L. megacephalus applies in many details to the present
frog. Thus, the vomerine teeth, tongue, tympanum, cranial crests, and extremities
are the same. The differences are seen in the absence of dermal plica;, the
coloration, and perhaps in the larger size. The color is a dark leather brown,
except on the pectoral and abdominal regions and inferior surfaces of the femur
and tibia, where the brown is irregularly marbled with white. There is a black
spot across the tympanum and one under the eye.
The type specimen is a female containing mature eggs, and is twice as large
as the type of the L. megacephalus, equalling the Gnathophysa ocellata in bulk.
Its head is relatively smaller than in that species. Thus the width enters the
length of head and body in the former, more than twice ; in the latter, less than
twice ; the length of the head enters the same in the L. gulosus three times ; in
the L. megacephalus 2.66 times.
Length head and body
" head to orbit (oblique)
" head to angle jaws
Width head at angle jaws
" head between orbits
Length fore limb
" fore foot
" hind limb
" hind foot
M.
.103
.015
.030
.047
.008
.060
.022
.138
.065
The sternum of this species is a large cartilaginous plate, wide and deeply
emarginate behind, and slightly narrowed in front. From the same locality as the
last species.
33. Hylodes cerasintjs, Cope, sp. nov.
A slender species with oval head, and large digital dilatations. The vomerine
teeth are in two fasciculi well separated from each other, and well behind the line
of the internal nares, at the extremities of two longitudinal ridges, which diverge
slightly forward towards the inner margin of the choanas. The latter are about
the size of the ostia pharyngea. The tongue is of a narrow oval form. The head
is flat and the lores oblique. The muzzle is not produced beyond the lip, but is
narrowed towards the end, the canthus rostralis being concave. The nostrils are
twice as far from the orbit as from each other. Orbit large, tympanic membrane
distinct, very small, one-eighth the area of the eye. The skin is smooth above in
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
113
the specimen, which is soft through the effect of weak spirits ; skin of sides and
abdomen areolate. Limbs rather long, digits long, free. The wrist and heel of
the extended limbs reach the end of the muzzle. The lengths of the fingers are
in order, commencing with the shortest, 1-2-4-3. Dilatations truncate.
Length of head and body
" to orbit (oblique)
" to angle jaws
Width to angle jaws .
" between orbits
Length of fore limb
" of fore foot
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot
M.
.035
.006
.013
.013
.0032
.022
.009
.055
.024
laginous plate, deeply
The sternum of this species is a parallelogrammic carti
notched distally and not distinguished into style and disk.
General color brown above, white below. A rose-colored vertebral band. Four
pale lines from orbit and one from nostril cross the upper lip. Anterior half of
sides finely reticulate with black, groin cherry-red. Upper posterior face of femur
and inner face of tibia cherry-red ; lower posterior face of femur brown punctate
with white.
This beautiful species is apparently related to the H. bicumulus, Peters,
from Venezuela, but differs in several points. In H. cerasinus the nares are
terminal, many times nearer the end of the muzzle than to the orbit ; in H.
bicumulus less than twice as far from orbit as from snout. The tympanic disk is
smaller in the H. cerasinus, and the coloration entirely different. These compari-
sons are rendered possible by the fulness of Prof. Peters's description, and it is a
gratification to refer to them as models worthy of imitation in all departments of
biology.
One specimen from the eastern slope of the Pico Blanco.
34. Gnathophysa ocellata, Linn. (Bana) ; Cystignathics, Dum., Bibr. ; Gnathophysa, Cope.
From the east side of the Cordillera.
29
114 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
RANIFORMIA.
35. TRYPHERorsis chrysoprasintjs, Cope, Proc. Acad. Pliilada., 18G8, p. 117. Ranula, do., Cope,
1. c. I860, p. 130.
From Uren, 2500 feet.
In examining a collection sent to the Smithsonian Institution from Costa Rica,
from Charles N. Riotte, I was much surprised to notice what was apparently a
Hylorana near H. erythrcea. Doubting the correctness of the locality, I laid the frog
away. Having since seen other and allied species from Tropical America, I recog-
nize the existence of a genus representing Hylorana, but differing in the important
particular of the incompleteness of the ethmoid arch, its superior plate being
represented by cartilage. In the present species the terminal phalanges are slender,
and furnished with a transverse limb, though the dilatations are small ; the latter
are distinct in the Rana casrulcopunctata, Steindachner ; in an undescribed species
from Vera Paz the transverse limb is very small, but present.
The generic characters then are —
Ethmoid arch superiorly cartilaginous; prefontals narrow, longitudinal, widely
separated. Distal phalanges slender, with transverse limb ; no metatarsal shovel ;
tongue bifurcate.
The species is allied to the above named, but has a relatively shorter muzzle and
limbs. Nosti'il nearer end of muzzle than orbit (equidistant in cceruleopunctata) ;
muzzle 1 and l-5th orbit (1 and 2-5ths Steind.). Under jaw anteriorly abruptly
truncate. Canthus rostralis straight, strong, muzzle acuminate from its extremity,
projecting; loreal region vertical. Tympanum elliptic, two-thirds orbit. Vomerine
teeth weak, in convergent fasciculi behind opposite nares. Skin shagreened above,
a glandular fold on each side. The longest finger cannot be extended to vent ;
heel to middle loreal region. Toes fully and widely palmate, three distal phalanges
of fourth free ; one minute metatarsal tubercle.
Color brilliant leek-green, the groin and belly approaching golden ; a golden
band from lip to shoulder, and a faint one on each side of back. Limbs above,
and tarsus and forearm below, black, the femur with a few golden spots on black
ground behind. Head dark above, from eye to shoulder black ; below pale yel-
lowish-green, immaculate, except some dark shades on sternal regions.
Length of head and body 1 in. 91.; of fore limb 1 in ; of hind limb 2 in. 7.5 1.
36. Ranula brevipalmata, Cope, loe. cit. 1874, p. 131.
The upper lip and lower surfaces brown spotted. From Pico Blanco.
ON TIIE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 115
REPTILIA LACERTILIA.
LEPTOGLOSSA*
37. Mocoa assata, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Phila. 1864, p. 179.
From Old Harbor; originally described from the west coast of Salvador.
38. Mabuia alliacea, sp. nov.
Distinguished by its long acute muzzle, and reduced number of rows of scales.
The former exceeds the width of the head between the eyebrows, and is narrow at
the end. There are seven superior labial scuta, of which the fifth subtends the
orbit, and is very elongate. The internasals are very narrow and are separated
above by a small median scutum in front of the internasal. This scale may be
abnormally distinct. Interfrontonasal wider than long, in contact with frontal ; latter
long, narrowed behind, its apex received into a notch between the frontoparietals.
* Epaphelus sumichrastii, Cope, gen. et sp. nov.
Char. Gen. — A scincoid allied to Gymnophthalmus, without eyelids. Toes 4-5. Nostril in a
single plate ; no supranasals ; one loral. Frontonasals distinct. One large supraocular, and one
large supraorbital ; frontoparietals and interparietal confluent ; parietals distinct. Scales large,
smooth, and subequal. Meatus auditorius open.
This genus is characterized by the greater simplicity of the cephalic scuta than any of the
genera of this group with toes 4-5.
Char. Specif. — Twelve rows of scales on the body. Labial scuta f , the last inferior very
narrow. Behind the symphyseal is a very large mental, which is a little wider than long, and
behind it two pairs of large transverse infralabials meet on the middle line. The frontal is very
small, scarcely one-fourth the size of the supraorbital, which is a little larger than the interfronto-
nasal, and much less than the interparietal. Behind each parietal are two transverse scales, each
pair separated on the median line by a scale like those of the back. Three scales margin the vent,
of which the median is the least. The extremities appressed to the sides fail to meet by the
length of the hand.
Color light rose-color, metallic on the upper surfaces, the tail bright pink, the top of the head
bluish. Sides of head and body to groin deep brown, the color abruptly defined above ; below
unspotted.
M.
Total length 0450
Length to vent 0205
" to axilla 0090
" to ear 0038
" of fore leg 0040
" of hind leg 0065
" of hind foot 0037
Since the above description was written I have obtained a specimen of identical proportions,
but of twice the size. It was obtained by Dr. Francis Sumichrast in the western part of the State
of Tehuantepec, and is of interest as the first naked-eyed seine discovered in Mexico. It is
dedicated to its discoverer, who has added so largely to our knowledge of that country.
116 ON TIIE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Four supraorbitals, second large. Interparietal longer than wide, separating the
wide, undivided parietals. Two transverse narrow occipitals. Nuchal scales equal
those of the body, which are in twenty-seven rows. Preanal scales three, large
and subequal ; subcaudal scales small except where reproduced, when they are
transverse and narrow. When the limbs are appressed to the sides the ends of the
toes mark the middles of the fingers.
Color above, sap-green shaded with brown, below leek-green. A light blue
band from the lip to the groin ; a pale shade from the eyebrow to above the femur,
brown bordered above. From the low country.
The large preanal scuta and long muzzle distinguish this species from the 31.
cepedei.
39. Mabuia cepedei, Gray; Cope, Proceedings Academy Phila., 1862, p. 186.
With twenty-eight rows of scales. From below Sipurio.
40. Chalcidolepis metallicus, Cope ; gen. et spec. nov. Ecpleopidarura.
Char. Gen. — Dorsal scales smooth, in uninterrupted transverse annuli round the
body, the size subequal on the various regions, including the nuchal and gular.
Toes 5-5, all clawed. Superior head shields; interfrontonasal, two prefrontals, a
frontal, two frontoparietals, two parietals separated by an interparietal. Tympa-
num distinct ; nostril in the single nasal plate. No femoral pores. Teeth com
pressed, with a principal cusp and a denticle on each side.
This genus is one of the Ecpleopidce, but presents a manifest resemblance to the
Chalcidida in its squamation. The absence of the lateral band of small scales, and
continuity of the transverse series across the median line of the back, distinguish
it from certain genera of the family, and the uniform character of the squamation
of the neck and body distinguishes it from others.
Char. Specif. — A slender lizard with very long tail and feeble limbs. The head
is narrowed and acute in front, with produced rostral shield. The interfrontonasal
plate is as wide as long, and the frontal elongate. There are four supraorbitals on
each side. The interparietal is elongate and with parallel sutures with the larger
parietals. The latter are bounded externally by a large temporal, forming with
them a diagonal suture. These are all bounded posteriorly by a series of four
shields across the occiput, and these again by a transverse series of seven scales
larger than those of the nape which follow them. The nasal plate is followed by
a large loreal, and this by a smaller preocular. Seven superior labials ; their rela-
tive lengths, beginning with the shortest, are, 5-7-6-2-1-3-4. Two pairs of infra-
labial scuta are in contact on the median gular region, of which the posterior pair
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
117
are twice as long as the first ; there are twenty scales in a cross-row between the
angles of the lower jaw. There is some irregularity in the pectoral scales which
gives the last row of the neck the appearance of a collar. Twenty-three series of
scales in an annulus of the body; twelve transverse rows between the large post-
occipital row and the line of the axillae, and forty-three to the Hue of the posterior
faces of the femora. There are two large longitudinal anal scuta, which embrace
a scale between them on the anal border ; they are preceded by another large pair,
but of reduced size.
The tail is nearly twice the length of the head and body, and the hind limb is
one-fourth the latter measurement.
M.
Total length
. 0.165
Length of head and body .......
. .058
" to axilla ........
. .017
" of head to tympanum ......
. .011
" " to orbit
. .0045
" of fore limb ........
. .0130
" of hind limb ........
. .0145
The limbs are surrounded by large scales except on the concealed faces of the
humerus and femur, where the scales are small and flat.
The color is light gray with red and green metallic reflections ; the sides are
brown, and the middle of the back darker than a line above the brown of the side.
Near the light bands a few scales are blackish, forming a row on each side. Below
dusted with brown. Head with deep brown sides and white upper lip. Sides of
tail brown with a zigzag upper margin.
The lower eyelids of this species are very narrow, and having been dried I
cannot ascertain the presence or absence of a transparent disk.
This new lizard was found by Mr. Gabb on the Aguacate Mountains.
41. Amiva festiva, Licht. and Von M. A. eutropia, Cope, Proc. Ac. Phila., Feb. 1862.
In adult males the dorsal band is wanting. The central preanal plate is fre-
quently followed by two scuta but little smaller.
42. Amiva gabbiana, Cope, sp. nov.
Abdominal scuta in eight longitudinal series, median gular scuta but little
larger than those surrounding them. Premaxillary teeth 4-1-4. Mesoptychial
scales in a single row of one median and three rapidly diminishing laterals on each
side ; the border of the collar with minute scales. One row of brachial scuta
nearly continuous with two rows of antebrachials. One principal row of rather
30
118
OX THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
small postbrachials. Anal scuta ; one large round submedian disk, and two or
three much smaller in advance of it. Two rows of large tibial scuta, with a few
odd scuta on the inner side. No anal nor heel spurs. Nostril on the naso-inter-
nasal suture. Frontal scute rather short, undivided ; parietals and interparietals
short, followed by a few scales larger than the granular ones which cover the back
and the nape. The hind limb extended reaches the front of the tympanum by
the end of the longest toe ; the fore limb extends to just beyond the end of the
muzzle.
M.
Length to vent ....
.082
" to axilla
.
.035
" to tympanum .
.
.017
" to orbit
.
.008
"Width of head at angle of jaws .
.
.013
Length of hind limb .
.
.056
" of hind foot
.030
Color olivaceous; two lateral light bands separated by a darker shade than that
of the dorsal interval, and crossed, like the side below the lower line, by black
bars. Below immaculate, or with black spots on the gular region.
Three specimens of this species were obtained at Old Harbor by Mr. Gabb, to
whom I dedicate it. Its affinities are with the A. guttata, Wiegm.
DIPLOGLOSSA.
43. DlPLOGLOSSUS MONOTROPIS, Kulll.
44. Gerrhonotus fdlvus, Bocourt, Bulletin Archives du Museum, 1872, p. 104.
Agrees with the description of Bocourt excepting in having the prefontal plates
distinct, and in having a narrow dark band on each side of the back.
From the summit of the Pico Blanco.
NTCTISATJRA.
45. Coleonyx elegans, Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 1845, p. 162 ; Dumeril, Gymnodactylus
coleonyx, Archives du Museum, 1856, p. 483; Brachydactylus mitratus, Peters, Monatsber.
K. Preuss. Akad., 1863, p. 42.
Costa Rica, fide Peters.
46. Phyllodacttlus, indet.
47. Sr-H.ERODACTYLUS glaucus, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philada., 1865, p. 192.
Variety with dark bordered interscapular and sacral transverse spots. Near
Sipurio.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
48. Thecadactylus rapicaudus, Houtt.
Mouth of Estrella or North River, E. coast.
119
IGTJANIA. "
49. Anolis microtus, Cope, Proceedings Academy Philadelphia, 1811, p. 214.
Auricular opening not larger than nares. Scales generally larger than in A.
insignis ; four rows between orbits, two rows of large ones above orbits ; seven
rows between rows of canthus rostralis at middle of muzzle, three loreal rows at
middle ; three large smooth infralabial rows. Scales of tail and fore leg three or
four keeled.
Brown with cross-bands of large paler ocelli crossing the sides behind the axilla,
at middle, and at crura. Eye and a broad band to shoulder, dark brown.
Description. — Scales of back, sides, and belly equal and smooth. Tail com-
pressed at base, distally cylindric, covered with equal scales. Front without ridges
but with well-marked concavity; all the scales covering it equal and smooth.
Occipital or parietal region concave, with high lateral posterior bounding ridges,
which do not unite, but leave a notch between them (in one specimen). Occipital
region covered with small scales. Zygomatic arch prominent, canthus rostralis not
tubercular. Face well developed. First two infralabial scales larger than the
others. Limbs short, stout ; anterior not reaching groin ; posterior extending to
angle of lower jaw. Dilatations well developed.
M.
Total length ...... . 0.31
Length to orbit .....
. .015
" to ear ......
. .03
" to axilla .....
. -05
" to groin .....
.0955
" to convergence of parietal crests .
.029
" of fore foot .....
.017
of tibia
.0183
" of hind foot .....
.027
Width at anterior angle of orbits
.0125
" at zygomatic arch .....
.017
This species is darker than the next, and is much less ornamented. The color
is a rich yellowish-brown ; where the epidermis is lost on the head a strong yellow
pigment appears, so that it is probable that it could in life change to that color at
will. A deep brown band commences by covering the whole eye and extends to
120 OX THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
the shoulder, where it is marked by pale centred ocelli. It is separated above by
a narrow paler band from a large dark brown patch that covers the nape and scap-
ular regions. Limbs and tail broadly and indistinctly brown cross-banded. Belly
and throat immaculate.
San Jose, Costa Rica ; Dr. Van Patten.
This large species is allied to the next, but perhaps resembles more the Anolis
biporcatus, Wiegm., the largest Anolis of Mexico. The latter has, among other
points of difference, keeled abdominal scales and a shorter muzzle, with very differ-
ent coloration. The unform size of all the scales is a noteworthy character of the
A. microtus.
50. Anolis insignis, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philadelphia, 1811, p. 213.
Auricular opening half as large as eye. Scales intermediate ; seven rows
between orbits ; one or two supraorbital rows but little larger than the others ;
eight rows across middle of muzzle, and six across loreal region at middle. Three
large and two small keeled infralabial rows. Scales of arm smooth, of tail striate.
Fawn-brown, with four double bands of greenish-blue between axilla and tail.
Between these the brown is divided by a yellow band which widens below and
breaks into spots above. A large round greenish-blue spot with brown centre in
front of axilla.
Interorbital and occipital regions deeply concave, the latter bounded posteriorly
by two elevated osseous ridges which meet behind at an acute angle. No facial
rugae, front flat except a slight median elevation. Muzzle with broad median
ridge. Scales of front equal, those of canthus osseous. Postfrontal and zygomatic
arches prominent, rugose. Inferior loreal row of scales larger than others, nares
surrounded by small scales. Fan very largely developed. An elevated crest or
dermal fold on the nape. Scales of the sides and back (except some median rows)
flat, pavement-like, equal, smooth, one-third the size of the smooth ventrals. Four
median dorsal rows subconic, smaller than the ventrals. Tail proximally com-
pressed, covered with equal scales. Limbs stout, the anterior extending four-fifths
way to groin ; the hinder reaching nearly to the ear. Scales of the limbs small ;
dilatations distinct.
The colors of this Anolis are very elegant. Besides the large spot behind the
angle of the mandible, there is a blue one on the angle surrounded by fawn-color,
and this by yellow. Sides of the temporal region and neck with yellow spots.
Bluish of first cross-band in a coarse netted figure. Top of head fawn-color ; face
entirely vermilion ; belly light yellow. Tail with broad blackish annuli ; limbs
with dark cross-bars, three on tibia, femur, and forearm ; two on humerus.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
121
Total
length
Length to orbit
K
to ear
U
to axilla
cc
to groin
" to angle of parietal crests
Width at anterior angle orbits .
" at zygomatic arches
Length of fore foot .
" of tibia
" of hind foot .
M.
0.440
.0183
.037
.062
.135
.035
.014
.019
.023
.029
.040
From San Jose. Dr. Van Patten.
This is a large species, being about equal to the A. edwardsii of Jamaica. It
is one of the most elegantly colored among the species of a beautiful genus. Its
affinities, as already pointed out, are to the A. squamulatus, Peters, which is very
near the A. laticeps of Berthold.
51. Anolis copei, Bocourt, Mission Scientifique de Mexique, Reptiles, p. 77, PI. xv., f. 10, 10 a.
Three specimens from Old Harbor. Color in life blue and brown. This animal
haunts sunny spots on the edge of the forest.
52. Anolis trochilus, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philadelphia, 1871, 215.
Specimens from Talamanca and San Jose.
Abdominal scales small, flat, smooth ; tail cylindric, with similar scales. Dorsal
scales smaller than ventral, pavement-like, very weakly keeled, graduating into
those of the lower part of the side, which are smaller. Head moderately elongate;
width between anterior margins of orbit equal length of muzzle from same point,
measured on the side. Interrugal concavity of the front well marked, occupied
by very small scales, much less than those of the ruga?, in nine rows. Scales
between ruga? and canthus large. Two rows separate the superciliaries, which are
separated by three or four rows from the occipital. Five rows of loreal scales.
Six smooth scales in the supraorbital disc, three inner large, transverse, the three
outer longitudinal. Four rows of infralabials medially; nostril surrounded by
small scales. Auricular meatus one-half eye-slit.
Limbs long, toes slender, the dilatations well marked. The fore limb appressed
reaches the groin ; the hind limb extended attains the end of the muzzle. Fan
little developed.
31
122
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Above and below brilliant metallic green, with a few black dots along the
vertebral line. Head and anterior part of sides, brown ; a black V extending from
the auricular openings, which are connected by a broad black band with the orbits.
Another V extends towards the occiput from the limbs of the nuchal V, enclosing
a narrow brown area with it. Top of muzzle and limbs blackish.
M.
0.108
.005
.011
.018
.0378
.006
.014
Total
length
Leng
th to orbit
it
to ear
«
to axilla
u
to groin
AVidth of head behind
Length of hind foot .
San Jose. Dr. Van Patten.
This small species is very abundant in Costa Rica, and is found also in Nica-
ragua.
53. Anolis pachypus, Cope, sp. nov.
Tail slender, cylindric, with equal scales, swollen at the base. Scales of the
abdomen smooth, those of the sides very small, on the back gradually enlarging to
two or three largest and faintly keeled rows on the median line, which are much
smaller than those of the belly. The head is rather short, its length equalling
that of the tibia, and one-half greater than its width. Scales of top of head sub-
equal in front, keeled ; smaller and angular behind, covering a three-sided area
behind the orbits, which is abruptly distinguished from the minute granules of the
temples and nape. No facial rugae distinct from canthus rostrales, but the frontal
region concave from between the orbits to the middle of the muzzle. Superciliaries
not larger than the scales of the five rows which separate them ; frontal concavity
with similar scales, and a little smaller than those of the three rows which separate
them from the canthal row. Latter consisting of six scales, and continued on the
edge of the eyebrow to near its middle in a manner unusual in the Anolidce.
Supraorbital region covered with projecting granules, except a single row of three
or four small keeled supraoculars near the supraorbital border. Four rows between
supraorbital series and occipital scale ; eight loreal rows. Only one series of very
small infralabials, the gulars running up to them in longitudinal lines. Meatus
auditorius larger than occipital scale.
The feet are stout and clumsy; the wrist reaches the front of the orbit, and the
end of the third toe of the hinder foot, the end of the muzzle. The digital dilata-
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
123
tions are little or not more expanded distally thai
are covered with wide keeled scales above. Fan
proximally, and the distal joints
►veil developed.
M.
.
.135
.
.047
.
.020
.011
.
.022
.
.009
.
.043
.
.019
•
.012
rbit to the middle of
A green
band from
Total length
Length to vent .
" to axilla .
" to tympanum .
" of fore limb
" of fore foot
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot
" of tibia •
Color emerald-green, with a broad brown band from the
the side, and a narrower one on each side of the sacrum,
orbit to below tympanum, and a dark-brown band from orbit below the canthus
rostralis. A dark-brown cross-band between the superciliary borders across the
front. A deep brown spot behind the occiput, and a smaller one on the nape
Femur with a longitudinal black band behind, and an oblique one across the supe-
rior face. Tibia and forearm with a broad cross-band.
From the slope of the Pico Blanco ; elevation not known.
A species markedly distinct in many respects, approaching the A. scyphceus in
its few small supraocular scales.
54. Anolis oxylophus, Cope, spec. nov.
A species above medium size of the group with keeled ventral scales and without
caudal crest or serra. The dorsal scales are distinctly larger than the lateral and
about equal to the ventral. They are flat, subhexagonal, not imbricate, and have
a median keel. There are at least twenty rows of equal size, those exterior to
them graduating in size to the laterals. The scales of the upper surface of the
head are very small, but flat, seven rows separating the rugal, and two the super-
ciliary scuta. Small scales separate the rugal and canthal scuta. Occipital scute
of moderate size, bounded laterally and in front by a number of scuta of the same
size and form. Supraorbital disk composed of two rows of slightly keeled scuta
with some small ones adjacent. Ten rows of loreals; 13-12 labials. Infralabials
all very small and carinate. The canthus rostralis is distinct to near nostril. The
facial ruga is remarkably prominent and acute, but not extending beyond the
middle of the canthus. Auricular opening about one-fourth as long as the eye
diameter. The form of the head is regular, and of good proportions ; it is as long
124
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
as the tibia. The middle of the third finger reaches the end of the nose, while
the end of the longest toe reaches the middle of the orbit.
The color is a dark brown, the limbs and feet with pale cross-bands. A distinct
whitish band extends from the scapular region to near the groin. Abdomen yel-
lowish, with a broad brown border on each side. The fan is very large, but the
color is altered by the alcohol.
Total length
Length to vent
" to groin
" to axilla
" to ear
" to orbit .
Width of head at angle of jaws
Length of hind limb .
" of hind foot
M.
.217
.076
.071
.035
.019
.008
.011
.060
.025
Cope (Proceed.
Both J1 and 9 specimens, the latter considerably smaller.
This species is allied to A. poecilopus, Cope, and A. concolor,
Academy Phila., 1862, pp. 179-80). From the former it differs in the much more
prominent frontal rugae, the larger facial and especially posterior cephalic scales,
and in the shorter hind legs. The latter differs in its obtuse ridges, larger facial
and loreal scales, fewer labials, and other points.
55. Anolis inteemedius, Peters, Monatsber. K. Preuss. Acad. 1863, p. 143.
One specimen.
56. Anolis capito, Peters, Monatsber. K. Preuss. Acad. Wiss. 1863, p. 142.
Five specimens from Old Harbor.
57. Anolis tessellatus, O'Shaugbnessy, Annals and Magaz. Nat. Histoiy, 1875, p. 279.
" Costa Rica."
58. Polyohrus multicarinatus, Peters, Monatsbericbte K. Preuss. Akad. 1869, p. 786. Bocourt,
Miss. Sci. Mexique, PI. XVII. fig. 8.
Unknown to me.
59. Cortthophanes cristatus, Merrem. Dam. Bibr. IV. p. 174.
Sipurio.
60. Iguana rhinolopha, Wiegmann, Herp. Mexicana, 44.
From the low country; Dr. Gabb.
61. Ctclura acanthura, Wiegmann, Herpetologia Mexicana, 42, t. 2.
San Jose ; Dr. Van Patten.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 125
62. Basiliscus vittatus, Wiegrn. Herpetologia Mexicana, p. 40, PL 15, 1834. Corythxolus
vittatus, Kaup, Wiegmann. Basiliscus, Dume'riL Basiliscus nuchalis, Cope, Proceed.
Academy Philada., 1862, p. 181, (Southern form.)
Drs. Wiegmann, Wagler, Kaup, and Gray have described only the female of
this species, and have established the genus Corgtho^hanes on characters which
belong to the female sex only. Prof. Dumeril finds the male to possess the essen-
tial features of the genus Basiliscus, and I follow him in referring the species to
that genus, as the specimens of the Smithsonian collection abundantly demonstrate
the correctness of the view of the French herpetologist. The specimens from
Nicaragua and Costa Rica differ from those of the north in their smaller size and
larger dermal appendages. This variety I named B. nuchalis. The species ranges
north to Vera Cruz.
Abundant. Numerous specimens from Sipurio. Mr. Gabb, like Dr. Sumichrast,
states that this species runs over the sui'face of the water whose shores it frequents,
like a spider.
The species of the genus Basiliscus known to me differ as follows : —
I. Dorsal and caudal rayed crests present.
Two dermal head-crests, the anterior narrow ; both with large scales ; four rows
of interorbital scales ; yellow spots ; no longitudinal bands. B. plumifrons.
One dermal head crest, with large scales ; one row of interorbital scales ; no
longitudinal bands. B. mitratus.
One expanded head crest with small scales ; one row of interorbital scales ; no
longitudinal bands. B. guttulatus.
One tassel-like head crest with small scales ; more than one interorbital row ;
no longitudinal bands. B. goodridgii.
II. A dorsal, no caudal rayed crest.
A single membranous head-crest covered with large scales ; two or three inter-
orbital rows ; one or two longitudinal light bands on each side. B. vittatus.
III. Neither dorsal nor caudal rayed crests.
A membranous head-crest of a horizontally elliptic form, covered with large
scales ; uniform green. B. seemannii.
63. Basiliscus plumifrons, sp. nov.
Represented in Mr. Gabb's collection by five male and one female specimens
in fine preservation. It is more nearly allied to the B. mitratus, Daud., than to
the B. goodridgii and B. seemanii of Gray, or the B. vittatus, Wiegmann. The
abdominal scales are smooth, and both back and tail support elevated crests
traversed by osseous rays. The head crest consists of a principal posterior portion
32
126 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
and an accessory anterior portion. The former commences above a point a little
in front of the anterior margin of the meatus auditorius, and extends upwards and
backwards to a subacute termination. The posterior border descends in an open
sigmoid to the nape of the neck to a point a little behind the angle of the jaws.
It is covered with large thin smooth scales, and its borders are acute. The anterior
part of the helmet rises abruptly from a point in line with the posterior border of
the orbit, its anterior border sloping backward to the obtuse extremity, which
marks the basal third of the principal helmet. It is separated to the base from
the latter by a fissure. The top of the head is covered with small scales, which
are weakly or not at all keeled. The supraorbitals are smaller than the supraocular
row, and weakly keeled ; those covering the occipital protuberance are equal to
them and nearly smooth. Three or four rows separate the superciliary series.
Two distinct plates precede the nasal plate, the anterior in contact with the corre-
sponding one of the opposite side. Labials, counting to the posterior border of
the eye, seven above and seven below. The anterior three infralabials in contact
with the inferior labials. Loreal rows four.
The dorsal scales are smaller than the ventral, but little larger than the lateral,
and faintly keeled. Those of the upper surfaces of the limbs are as large as the
abdominal and strongly keeled. The dorsal crest is highest behind the middle ;
its elevation exceeds that of the body by one-third ; it is supported by fifteen rays.
The scales covering it are smooth. The caudal crest is also elevated, and includes
fifteen rays ; it is covered by thin subequal scales, of which there are eight in a
vertical row. Scales of the tail strongly keeled below, weakly keeled elsewhere.
The fore foot is rather short; the ends of the metacarpals mark the muzzle when
the limb is extended; the same point is reached by the ends of the basal phalanges
of the extended hind limb.
Color everywhere green, becoming blue on the different crests. No longitudinal
or transverse bands on the head, body, or throat. A row of distant round yellow
spots from the axilla to the groin, and a similar row along the upper side of the
back, which is wanting in some specimens. Various scales of the helmet and
crests are paler than the others. Three vertical pale-bordered black spots on the
dorsal crest, which may be obsolete in some individuals. Crested part of the tail
green, the remainder yellowish, with brown rings to the end of the proximal two-
thirds.
M.
Total length (25.75 inches) 655
Length to vent .......... .177
" to axilla 090
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
127
Length to ear
M.
.045
.016
.060
.045
.021
.087
.040
.175
.082
.057
" to orbit .
" of helmet
" of dorsal crest (vertical)
Width between eyebrows
Length of fore limb
" of fore foot
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot
" of tibia .
Four of the specimens were taken at Sipurio.
Having had, through the attention of Professor A. Auguste Dumeril, the oppor-
tunity of consulting the types preserved in the museum of the Jardin des Plantes,
Paris, I can compare the present species with the original specimen of Seba, the
type of the B. mitratus of Daudin. In that species, the anterior plume-shaped
process of the front is wanting, and the helmet has a more posterior position.
There is but one row of scales separating the superciliaries. There are five blackish
transverse spots at the base of the dorsal crest, and two longitudinal pale stripes
on the head and neck. These characters are borne out by two specimens procured
by the expedition under Lieut. Michler from the Isthmus of Darien,* which offer
other peculiarities also. Thus the caudal crest is chiefly covered by three longi-
tudinal rows of large scales, there being but two or three of small ones below
them. M. Bocourt (Miss. Sci. de Mexique, p. 127) states that the rays of the
dorsal crest of the B. mitratus are 17-8, and of the caudal, 23; in the B. plumi-
frons they are constantly 15-15. The name of the species refers to the plume-
shaped process in front of the helmet, which is constantly present. In the female
the crests are wanting, and the helmet is very small, posterior, and without plume.
Mr. Gabb states that this species, like the other Basilisci, haunts the shores of
rivers, where it lies on the bases of the leaves of the large canes which fringe the
water. Its green color protects it from observation in this position, and it remains
motionless when approached, so as to be readily caught by a noose of thread or
hair.
64. Sceloporus malachiticus, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada., 1864, p. 178.
San Jose ; Dr. Van Patten, C. N. Biotte.
* Yid. Proceed. Academy Philada., 1862, p. 356.
128 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
OPHIDIA.
SCOLECOPHIDIA.
65. Helminthophis frontalis, Peters, Monatsb. K. Preuss. Ak. 1861, p. 517.
Unknown to me.
Although no Stenostomidce have yet been brought from Costa Rica, to my
knowledge, yet they doubtless exist there, as the Stcnostoma albifrons has been
sent to the Smithsonian Institution from Panama by C. B. Adams, and a second
species of the genus has been obtained in the western part of Tehuantepec by Dr.
Francis Sumichrast. This appears to me to be new to science, and may be
described as follows: I first compare it with those species of the genus which have
but two labial plates, and no production nor angulation of the rostral plate, and in
which the superciliaries are in contact with the first scale of the middle series,
which is of the same form as those of the body. This species belongs also to
those with large transverse temporal scales, and a narrow superciliary.
a. Superciliary in contact with first labial.
Last labial reaching one of the two temporals. S. albifrons.
aa. Superciliary superior not reaching first labial.
/3. Last labial in contact with but one temporal.
y. Two temporals.
Rostral wide, nostril inferior; caudal scales 18; black. S. groutii.
Rostral narrow; first labial not rising to eye; caudal scales 15; black lined.
S. phenops*
Rostral narrow ; nostril terminal ; first labial reaching eye ; caudal scales 26 ;
black lined. & melanoterma.
yy. One temporal.
Rostral narrow; first labial not rising to eye; caudal scales 15; black lined.
S. signatum.
* The Stenostoma phenops from Tehuantepec is represented by numerous specimens, which
are of small size and dark colors. Scales in 13 rows. The eye is distinct, and the nareal suture
extends to the rostral plate. The lower surfaces are without marking, but the scales of the upper
surface are black with pale borders. There are three white spots ; one on the end of the rostral
plate; one at the apex, and one on the under side of the tail. Total length, m. .156; tail, .009.
The same species was obtained from near Coban, Guatemala, by Henry Hague.
The Stenostoma melanoterma, Cope, of the above table, was brought from Paraguay ; see
Proceed. Acad. Philada. 1862, p. 350. The S. groutii, Cope, is a new species, discovered by Dr.
Alden S. Grout, near the Umvoti Mission, Zulu Country, South Africa. Scales in fourteen rows.
The nasal plate is much narrowed at the labial border, and the first labial only rises as high as
the nostril, which is half way from the edge of the lip to the orbit. Color uniform black, except
a white spot at vent and one at apex of tail. Dedicated to Dr. Grout, who has sent numerous
valuable specimens from the Zulu Country to Philadelphia.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 129
$3. Last labial united with two temporals.
First labial not reaching eye. S. goudottii.
ASINEA.
66. XlPHOSOMA ANNULATUM, Sp. DOV.*
Scales in fifty-four longitudinal rows on the body, and in forty-two at two inches
behind the head. The top of the muzzle is covered with about fourteen small
shields, of which two, a little larger than the rest, separate the nasals and bound
the rostral. The latter plate is higher than wide, and has two long sutural borders
on each side, and a short one on each side of the apex. Top of head covered
with small smooth scales, of which twelve may be counted between the eyes, with
superciliaries not distinguishable. The superior labial shields number fourteen,
and are all pitted ; only the posterior two-thirds of the inferior labials are pitted.
Three loreal plates and one preocular ; one series of scales separate the orbit from
the labials, and bound the labial pits above. Gastrosteges 260 ; anal entire ;
urosteges 82.
Ash-colored, with darker ash-colored oval figures on each side. These are
simply rings vertically placed, and they are occasionally connected on the median
line above, where their color is more distinct. Head and lower surfaces uniform.
M.
Total length 755
Length of tail '. 132
" to rictus of mouth ........ .079
This species exhibits the lip-pits and scutellation of the X. caninum, with the
squamation and colors of the X. hortulanum.
* XlPHOSOMA RUSCHENBERGERII, sp. nOV.
Scales in forty-seven rows on the body, and thirty-five rows two inches posterior to the head.
Rostral plate higher than long. Superior labials all strongly pitted to the side of the rostral
above, and on the posterior half below. The pits below the orbit are not separated from the
latter by the projection of the row of scales above the labials, but these are enclosed in the pits
which are thus continuous with the orbit. Top of the head covered with large scuta, the largest
each subtriangular and separating the nasals. These are followed by a series of scuta above the
canthus rostralis, which terminate in two or three large superciliary plates. -The latter are sepa-
rated by smaller scuta, the whole number between the orbits being in nine longitudinal rows.
Only two loreals, and one preocular. Yellowish-brown, with occasional yellow scales above.
Below bright yellow, on each side of the gastrosteges a series of brown spots. Tail black with
yellow spots. Size of the X caninum.
This species resembles the X hortulanum more than the other species, but differs in the larger
scales, large plates of the head, the pitted upper lips, and the coloration. There are fourteen
rows of scales between the eyes in that species.
Obtained at Panama by Dr. W. S. W. Ruschenberger, President of the Academy, to whom
the species is, with much pleasure, dedicated.
33
130 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
67. Epicrates cenchria, Linn., Dr. Tan Patten.
68. Boa imperator, Daudin.
Not an uncommon species from the east coast to the foot of the mountains.
69. Leptognathus annulata, Gunther, Annals and Magaz. Nat. Hist. 1872.
Not seen by me.
70. Leptognathus argus, Cope, sp. nov.
Body compressed; scales in fifteen rows, smooth, larger above than on the
sides, the median row not abruptly larger than those adjoining it. Head wide,
muzzle very short, orbit bounded in front by the loreal and prefontal scuta. Rostral
plate triangular, as high as wide, very small ; internasals small, prefontals large.
Frontal and occipitals large, the former with parallel sides equal to the anterior
border. Superior labials seven, orbit bounded by the fourth, fifth, and sixth.
Inferior labials seven, the first, second, and third smaller than those that follow,
the first pair not uniting behind the symphyseal. Geneial plates three pairs, the
anterior two each longer than wide, the third quadrate, smaller. Fostorbitals two,
temporals 1-2. Gastrosteges 212; anal entire; urosteges 121.
M.
Total length 3-45
Length of tail .......... .104
" to rictus oris ......... .007
Width of head behind 007
Color above from the third row of scales greenish-ash, with two series of alter-
nating light ocelli with black borders. Below, yellow to the third row of scales ;
the sides below that row with a series of black-edged ocelli like those of the back.
Below, blackish speckled on the posterior half of the length. A large black-
bordered ocellus on the nape. Head vermiculated with black ; lips yellow, with
black specks.
This species belongs to the same group of the genus as the L. anthracops, Cope.
From Sipurio.
71. Leptognathus pictiventris, Cope, sp. nov.
Belonging to the same group of the genus as the L. argus, i. e. with the verte-
bral series of scales not enlarged ; scales smooth, and a pair of elongate colubriform
geneial shields. It differs in the peculiarity that the front of the long geneials is
in immediate contact with the wedge-shaped symphyseal. Scales in fifteen series,
the lateral smaller. The muzzle is not so short as in the L. argus, but more as in
L. nebulata. Internasals transverse triangles; frontal wide, occipitals long. Nasal
undivided; orbit bounded by the prefontal above, the loreal medially and a pre-
ocular below. Fostoculars two, the inferior separating the seventh labials from the
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 131
orbit. Superior labials eight, fifth and sixth bounding orbit, the sixth the longest,
the seventh the widest plate, the four anterior higher than wide. Temporals 1-2.
Inferior labials seven, four anterior smallest. Three pairs of geneials, two poste-
rior pairs short, wide.
The colors of this species have been somewhat injured by spirits. The belly
is yellow, with brown cross-bands on the anterior part of the body, the posterior
part with large alternating brown spots. Back, at some points at least, crossed by
continuations of the same. Throat and lips brown spotted. Urosteges 121.
This species differs from the last in the arrangement of the head plates both
superior and inferior, as well as in the coloration.
72. Leptognathus nebulata, Linn.
The dark colored variety.
73. Dipsas gemmistratus, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philadelphia, 1861, p. 296 : Van Patten.
74. Dipsas oenchoa, Linn.*
75. Sibon anndlatum, Linn.
With twenty-one rows of scales. From Old Harbor.
76. Oxyrriiopus plumbeus, Wied. Brachyrhyton plumbeum, Dum. Bibr.
I had occasion to observe on a former occasion that this species is a devourer
of snakes, having received a specimen from Martinique which had swallowed the
head and part of the body of a fer de lance (Bothrops lanceolatus). The present
collection contains a specimen of m. 1.950 in length which had swallowed a Her-
* Trimorphodon collaris, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in twenty-three longitudinal rows; posterior geneials very short, separated by an
intervening scale. Superior labials nine, fourth and fifth entering orbit. Loreals three ; oculars
3-3 ; temporals 3^3-4-5. Head short and wide ; intemasal plates small ; frontal in contact with
superior preocular, and about as long as occipitals.
Body compressed, tail one-fifth the total. Ground color white (or ? yellow), crossed by six-
teen black spots on the body in the type specimen (No. 148). The anterior three or four of these
are longitudinally extended (the third, eleven scales long); the others are transverse diamond-
shaped, the lateral apices extending well on the gastrosteges. Each is divided transversely by a
narrow white line. Between each pair of spots is a small black spot on the border of the gastro-
steges. Middle line of belly unspotted. Head black above, muzzle and lips yellow ; a large
projection of the yellow collar occupies a space on each side of the common parietal suture.
Orizaba, Vera Cruz ; Dr. Sumichrast.
After examination of a large number of specimens of the genus Trimorphodon, Cope, I can
recognize five species, viz.: T. tau, Cope; T.upsilon, Cope; T. collaris, Cope; T.lyrophanes,
Cope, and T. biscutalus, Dum. Bibr. The last-named authors describe the T. bisculatus as having
twenty-three series of scales, and I therefore on a previous occasion regarded it as unknown to me,
and named the most common species of Central America and Mexico as T. major. I believe,
however, that the latter is most probably the species of Dumdril and Bibron, and that the number
of scales given by those authors is not correct, as I find twenty-five and twenty-seven rows in the
numerous specimens at my disposal.
132 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
petodryas carinatus of m. 1.970 in length, forty-two inches of the victim projecting
from the mouth of its captor. As is necessarily the case, in both instances the
captured snake had been seized by the muzzle, and so prevented from biting.
Where venomous snakes are abundant the introduction of this harmless Oocyrrhopus
would materially lessen their numbers. According to Mr. Gabb, it is a spirited
and irascible species, making fight when attacked by man.
77. Oxtrrhopus petolarius, Linn.
Red with subequidistant black half rings ; muzzle black. Preocular not
reaching frontal ; two temporals in contact with postoculars. From Sipurio, the
most northern locality for this snake.
78. Dryiophis brevirostris, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philadelphia, 1860, p. 555.
Similar to the type specimen, but with the scales nearly smooth. They are
in fifteen series, the smaller lateral graduating into the larger dorsal. Muzzle
rather short, nasal plate very narrow. Preocular reaching frontal. Labials six,
eye resting on fourth, third entering the orbital ring. Postocular one, temporals
1-2. Seven inferior labials, first pair with long common suture, nearly equalling
pregeneials, which are longer than postgeneials. Length m. .563 ; of tail .220.
Color blue, paler below; lips yellowish. Body compressed, gastrosteges rounded.
From Gabb's collection. Typical examples from Dr. Van Patten.
79. Dryiophis acuminatus, Wied.
80. Leptophis ^eruginosus, Cope, sp. nov.
The genus Leptophis has been called Ahaetulla by Dr. Giinther, and Thrasops
by Dr. Hallowell. The former name was given by Dr. Gray in 1825 to the genus
subsequently named Dendrophis by Boie, and, as I showed in 1860, must be
retained for it. In Dr. Gray's list of species of Ahaetulla, not one is a member of
the genus Leptophis. In the same year Bell gave the name Leptophis to a mixture
of species of the two genera in question, commencing with an Ahaetulla (Gray).
Having at one time adopted the rule of accepting the first species named by an
author under a generic head as its type, I referred Leptophis to Ahaetulla, Gray,
as a synonym, and employed Thrasops, Hallow., the name next in order of date.
Having long since abandoned this position in favor of the more practicable one of
regarding as the type of an author's genus the species remaining after the subtrac-
tion of all genera based on component species at prior or later dates, the name
Leptophis remains for the species included by Bell, which are not Ahaetullce. This
course has been adopted by Dumeril and Bibron.
Scales in fifteen series not keeled, but finely striate. Ventral scuta with very
faint lateral angulations well separated from each other. Loreal present, subquad-
ON THE BATRACIIIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 133
rate ; preocular scarcely reaching frontal ; postoculars two ; temporals 1-2 ; nasal
plate not elongate. Superior labials nine, fifth and sixth entering orbit. Inferior
labials ten, six in contact with geneials, of which the posterior pair is the longer.
Parietals bounded by small scales behind. Gastrosteges 146, anal divided ; uro-
steges 142. Total length 405; of tail .155 m. Golden-brown above, or yellowish-
green without the epidermis ; vertebral line yellow on one row of scales for the
anterior half of the body. Below blue, fading to yellowish on the gular region.
A black band from eye along top of last superior labial
From the low country.
81. Leptophis saturatus, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in fifteen rows, one on each side of the median vertebral, weakly keeled ;
scales of the lateral rows wider than those of the median dorsal series. Gastro-
steges not angulate. Head short and wide, eye large, its diameter equal to the
length of the muzzle, or the width of the frontal with one superciliary plate.
Internasals and prefontals wider than long, the frontal, superciliaries, and parietals
wide for the genus, the last openly emarginate behind. Nasals not elongate, the
anterior the higher ; loreal present, nearly twice as long as high ; orbitals 1-2,
preorbital nearly reaching frontal. Temporals 1-2, the anterior large. Labials
nine above, the fifth and sixth bounding the orbit ; ten inferior labials, six in con-
tact with the geneials. Gastrosteges 160; anal divided; urosteges 133.
M.
Total length 880
Length of tail . . . . . . . . . .340
" to rictus oris ......... .022
to orbit 007
Color in spirits, indigo blue, very dark on head and vertebral rows of scales.
Lips dark green, a blackish shade above the labial plates from the orbits posteriorly.
The last maxillary tooth of this species is much longer than those that precede
it without interval.
The wide and depressed head as well as the smooth scales and color, distinguish
this species from the L. mexicanus, D. B. The muzzle, and hence the scuta, are
less elongate than in the L. depressirostris, Cope.
One specimen from Sipurio.
82. Leptophis mexicanus, Dum. Bibr.
Valley of Costa Rica ; Dr. Van Patten.
83. Leptophis pr^estans, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1868, p 309.
Sipurio.
34
134
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
84. Dendrophidium melanotropis, Cope, sp. nov.
The genus Dendrophidium was first defined by the writer in the Proceedings
Philada. Academy, 1860, p. 561. Its dentition is isodont and coryphodont, in
which, with its two preoculars, it resembles Bascanium (Masticophis). From this
genus its strongly keeled scales separate it. Its type is Herpctodryas dendrophis of
Schlegel : a second species is H. brunneus, Gthr., from Equador.
Posterior maxillary tooth a little longer and much stouter than the anterior
teeth, the three or four preceding teeth forming a graded series of intermediate
size. Scales in seventeen series, all keeled excepting the inferior two on each
side ; the lateral scales wider than the median ; the keels of the row on each side
of the vertebral stronger than those of the others. Gastrosteges not angulate-
Head elevated, eye large, its diameter one and a half times in the length of the
muzzle, and equal to the width of the frontal and one superciliary shield. Supe-
rior labials nine, the fourth, fifth, and sixth entering the orbit. These plates are
rather small to the eighth, which is much longer than high, and the ninth, which
is higher than long. Rostral plate not protuberant, wider than high ; postnasal
higher than prenasal. Loreal much longer than high, angulate above owing to
the oblique suture with the superior preocular. Preoculars two, the superior wide,
not reaching the frontal ; the inferior much smaller, resting on the middle of the
fourth superior labial; on one side united with the superior preocular. Postoculars
two, equal, narrow and elevated. Temporals 2-2, short and deep. Internasals
longer than wide ; prefontals longer than wide ; frontal bell-shaped, wide in front,
contracted behind ; superciliaries rather narrow. Parietals wide, remarkably short,
their greatest length equal to that of the frontal, less than that of the superciliary ;
their posterior borders convex, including a notch. Scales behind them smooth.
The scales of the body are biporous, the pores situated at a distance in front of
the apex of the scale, and dark pigmented. Gastrosteges 152; anal divided;
urosteges 94.
Color above and including the external fourth of the gastrosteges green ; the
skin between the scales and the keels of the median three dorsal rows, black;
lower surfaces light yellow.
M.
1.240
.365
to rictus oris ........ .035
"Width between supercilia ....... .072
Diameter of eye ......... .008
Total length
Length of tail
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 135
This fine species is of aberrant character ; it resembles in size and coloration
the Thrasops prcestans, Cope, of the same region.
85. Drymobius margaritiferus, Scblegel.
San Jose\
86. DRYMOBirs boddaertii, Seetz.
Talamanca and San Jose.
87. Herpetodryas carinatus, L.
Scales in ten longitudinal rows on the front, and eight on the posterior part of
the body, keeled and about as large as the parietal scuta excepting the first row
on each side, which is smaller and smooth. The keels of the two median rows
are stronger, and become very prominent on the posterior part of the body, forming
together an elevated flat-topped ridge, which gradually disappears on the tail, so
that the scales of its distal half are smooth. The third row of scales is smooth on
the posterior part of the body. There is usually a single pore at the end of the
scale, but sometimes it is wanting. Nine upper labial scuta, the fourth, fifth, and
sixth bounding the orbit. Loreal nearly as high as long ; oculars 1-2, the poste-
riors equal, the anterior not reaching the frontal. Last upper labials not elevated;
temporals 2-2. Parietals wide, short, as long as superciliaries, bounding a deep
notch behind. Gastrosteges 162; anal divided; urosteges 135.
Color black above, below yellow, the former encroaching on the latter and
obliterating it on the posterior part of the belly, and on the tail.
M.
Total length 1.970
Length of tail .......... .780
" of head to rictus oris ....... .042
The only specimen of this snake was taken from the stomach of an Oxyrrhopus
plumbeus of one foot less length. The tail and a portion of the body projected
from the mouth of its captor. From the low country.
88. Herpetodryas grandisquamis, Peters; Spilotes grandisquamis, Peters, Mouatsberichte K.
Akad. Berlin, 1868, p. 451.
89. Spilotes pullatus, Linn.; Coluber variabilis, Wied. ; Spilotes variabilis, Dum. Bibr.
90. Spilotes corais, Cuv., Giintber, Catal. Colub. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1858, p. 98; subspecies
melantjrus, Dum. Bibr.
This form ranges from Panama to northern Mexico, preserving the oblique
black mark on the neck and the black tail. When the black involves the entire
body and head, it becomes the subspecies S. c. erebennus {Spilotes erebennus, Cope;
136 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Coluber obsoletus, Holbr., not Say). This subspecies extends from the Rio Grande
to Alabama.
San Jose and Talamanca.
91. SriLOTES CHRYSOBRONCHUS, Sp. 110V.
Scales in twenty-five series, all smooth excepting the row next the vertebral,
which is weakly keeled. Head flat; orbit large, contained 1.66 times in side of
muzzle, and 2.25 times in space between their superior borders. Rostral plate
broad as high, not protuberant ; nasals large, subequal. Loreal small, longer than
high ; preocular 1-2, the anterior wide, not reaching the frontal. Postoculars
subequal, bounded by two temporals. Internasals wider than long, frontal longer
than wide in front, little shorter than parietals; latter rounded behind. Temporals
2-2-2, one long, one bounding two upper temporals below. Superior labials seven
(a partial division into eight on one side of one specimen); third, fourth, and
fifth bounding the orbit. All of them low, the sixth not triangular, the seventh
on both sides of two specimens, more than twice as long as any of the others.
Twelve inferior labials, eight in contact with the geneials ; first pair large, second
to sixth narrow and deep ; eleventh narrow and longitudinal. Geneials elongate
subequal. Gastrosteges 220; anal entire; urosteges 117. Scale-pores in pairs.
Color brown, the scales dotted with lighter, head darker ; one or more borders
of the scales black. Upper lip, throat, and anterior part of the belly, yellow
remainder of lower surfaces passing from brown to black below the tail. The only
markings are small black dots on the two lower rows of scales, commencing at the
neck and extending to the end of the anterior fourth of the length.
St.
Total length .......... .1.670
Length of tail .......... .422
" to canthus of mouth . . . . . .040
From the coast region.
This species is evidently near to the S. fasciatus, Peters. There are many
trivial differences to be found in the description of the latter, and a few of import-
ance. The frontal of S. chrysobronchus cannot be said to be "very wide," and it is
not in contact with the preorbitals, as in S. fasciatus: The parietals are not trun-
cate, and the dorsal scales are not so much keeled as in the latter. In & chryso-
bronchus the number of gastrosteges exceeds that of the urosteges by 103 ; in S.
fasciatus by only 59. The coloration is materially different, the latter having black
cross-bands, spots, etc.
92. Liophis epinepiielus, Cope, Proceed. Academy, Philada., 1862, Feb.
San Jose; Dr. Van Patten.
ON THE BATRACHIA- AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 137
93. Conophis lineatus, Dum. Bibr.; Tomodon lineatus, Dum. Bibr.; Conophis lineatus, Cope,
Proc. Acad. Philada. 1871, p. 204.
San Jose ; Dr. Van Patten.
There are five species of this genus, distributed from Costa Rica to Yucatan,
which differ as follows : —
I. Seven upper labials ;
a. Temporals in two rows ; loreal higher than long.
Body without bands, but faint traces of them on first, third, and seventh rows of
scales. C. vittatus, Peters.
Body banded on third and eighth rows. C. siimichrastii, Cope.
Var : second row not covered by lateral band ; dorsal bands distinct.
Subspecies siimichrastii.
Var : second to fifth and eighth to eighth covered by lateral and median band.
Subspecies viduus.
II. Eight upper labials.
a. Two rows of temporals.
Loreal higher than long. Six longitudinal bands, the lower on the first row of
scales, two dorsal, none on the belly ; head brown yellow banded.
C. pulcher, Cope.
Loreal long, or longer than high ; no bands except a short one from muzzle through
eye. C. concolor, Cope.
a. One row of temporals in front ; large ones behind.
Loreal longer than high ; bands on all the scales except those of the fifth row on
each side. C. lineatus, D. & B.
The Conophis siimichrastii, Cope, has been found by M. Sumichrast in the west-
ern part of Tehuantepec, and near Guadalaxara by I. I. Major. The subspecies
C. s. viduus is also from Tehuantepec, from M. Sumichrast. It is a mimetic ana-
logue of Coniophanes piccivittis, Cope, from the same place.
94. Coniophanes fissidens, Gunther, Catal. Col. Snakes B. M., 36 (Coronella).
Sipurio and Old Harbor, abundant.
I am acquainted with seven species of this genus from the region north of
Panama and south of Coahuila. They may be readily distinguished as follows : —
I. Scales in twenty-five longitudinal rows.
Superior labials eight ; three broad longitudinal black bands. C. piceivittis, Cope.
II. Scales in twenty-one rows (labials 8).
Sides dark above; a broad dorsal band; light lines on the sides of the nape; belly
unspotted. C. ■punctigularis, Cope.
35
138 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
Sides shaded above ; no dorsal bands nor abdominal spots ; light lines on sides of
nape. C. Jissidens, Gthr.
Lines very indistinct, none on nape ; two rows of brown spots on belly.
C. bipunctatus, Gthr.
III. Scales in nineteen rows.
Labials seven or eight ; sides dark, a narrow vertebral line ; a light band behind
each orbit. C. proterops, Cope.
Labials eight ; sides dark, a broad dorsal band from head ; a light band from end
of muzzle above eye. C. imperialis, B. & G.
Labials seven ; frontal plate wide ; head black, body red. C. lateritins, Cope.
95. Pliocekcus dimidiatus, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1865, p. 190.
Tail two-fifths the total length; urosteges 120, nearly equal in number to the
gastrosteges — 127. Scales in seventeen rows, the median scarcely narrowed. Head
very distinct, flat, muzzle truncate. Top of rostral shield round, curved back on
the upper plane. Internasals very small; lateral borders of frontal (vertical) nearly
parallel, a little shorter than anterior. Occipitals large. Temporals, 1 very narrow,
1 pentagonal, 2. Loreal nearly a rhomb, lower than postnasal ; preoculars three,
upper not reaching frontal, lower cut from labial. Superior labials nine, fifth and
sixth entering orbit ; postoculars two, superior in contact with occipital only.
Nine inferior labials, sixth largest; geneials equal. Teeth equal.
Red, crossed by fourteen black rings on the body, and eight and a part on the
tail. These are separated by nearly equal spaces below, and rather narrower (3|
scales) above. A black space involves the nape to the tips of the occipital and
last upper labial plates and all the last lower, and does not meet on the jugulum.
The remainder of the head above black except the anterior part of the frontal
and the first, second, and third superior labial shields. Lower labials bordering
anterior geneials, with symphyseal, black.
Costa Rica; sent by Charles N. Riotte, correspondent of the Smithsonian
Institution : Mus. No. 6363.
96. Rhadin.ea decorata, Gth. 1. c. 35 {Coronella).
Sipurio ; abundant.
The genus Rhadincea is nearly coextensive with Enicognathus, Jan, and Ablabes,
Gunther. Ablabes of Dum. Bibr. was, however, established on the Coronella rufula
of Schlegel, which has the prolonged series of gastric hypapophyses, and is there-
fore quite different, while Henicognathus is characterized by a peculiar structure of
the mandible, which, so far as I am aware, occurs in only one American species,
the H. annulatus, D. B. Consequently the majority of species attached to this
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 139
genus belong to Rhadincea, as the E. melanocephala, D. B., etc. In the descrip-
tion of this last species three are mingled, as I have ascertained both from a
reading of the same and from an examination of the originals in Mus. Paris. One
of these is our R. obtusa, the other is the true R. melanocephala, and the third is
a species which I described under the name of Lj/gophis nicagus, Cope. Dumeril
and Bibron give both the Island of Guadaloupe and Brazil as habitats of their
species. I suspect, however, that the specimen of R. obtusa was accidentally
introduced into the jar containing the other two, and that it is confined to South
America, where it is not uncommon. It is figured by Jan in his "Iconographie"
as the second specimen of R. melanocephala. His first specimen of the same as
figured is our Lygophis nicagus, a serpent with a diacranterian dentition. The
true R. melanocephala is probably confined to Guadaloupe and the neighboring
islands.
It is probable that the Dromicus tceniatus, Pet., D. godmanii, and D loreatus
of Giinther, belong to this genus, as does the D. ignitus, Cope. The posterior
tooth is a little longer than the anterior in most of the species, and when one or
two teeth in advance of it are broken off or shed, the result may resemble the dia-
cranterian type of dentition characteristic of Dromicus. Dr. Giinther expressly
states that the dentition of his D. loreatus is not of that type. The species of
Rhadincea may then be distinguished as follows, with the premise that the charac-
ters of those above named are only known to me from the descriptions of the
authors who made them known : —
I. Scales in twenty-one rows.
Loreal longer than high; three principal bands, with other less prominent ones
between them. R. godmanii*
II. Scales in nineteen rows.
Loreal longer than high ; nine longitudinal bands. R. serperastra, Cope.
III. Scales in seventeen rows.
a. One preocular.
Loreal higher than long ; sides with dark line above ; a black-edged pale band
from eye to side ; head pale, lips spotted. R. vermiculaticeps.f
Loreal high as long ; three broad brown bands ; the light ground color extending
to the eye ; lips unspotted. R. fulvivittis.%
* Dromicus godmannii, Giinther.
f Tseniophis vermiculaliceps, Cope.
% Rhadincea fulvivittis, Cope, sp. nov.
Head small, not very distinct from body. Frontal a little longer than the suture from it to
the nasal, and a little shorter than common suture of occipitals, two-thirds as wide as long.
140 ON TIIE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OP COSTA RICA.
Loreal longer than high ; a narrow lateral and broad (sometimes divided) dorsal
band ; the included band reaching side of muzzle ; urosteges 90-108.
JR. tce?iiata*
Sides with dark border above ; an oblique yellow band from eye crossing the last
labial ; urosteges 60. R. lachrgmans.f
A dorsal band ; a yellow band encircling head on labials and nape ; a yellow band
through orbit to nape. R. loreata.%
oca. Two preoculars.
Sides dark above, with a superior pale border, which becomes a yellow band on
each side of head to orbit ; no dorsal band ; lips unspotted. R. ignita.^
Sides dark above, with superior pale border ; two yellow spots on each side of
occiput and nape ; urosteges 90. R. decorata.\\
97. RHADiNiEA serperastra, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philada. 1871, p. 212.
This species agrees with those regarded as typical, when the genus was first
defined (see Proc. Academy N. Sci. 1868, p. 132). That is, the teeth are equal,
the scales smooth and poreless, the anal plate divided, the nasals two, loreal one,
and oculars 1-2.
In this serpent the scales are in nineteen series. Superior labials eight, not
elevated, fourth and fifth bounding eye. Temporals 1-2-3. Internasals trans-
verse, narrow ; postnasal larger than prenasal. Frontal wide, superciliary suture
shorter than anterior, total length exceeding that of common parietal suture.
Loreal square; geneials subequal. Gastrosteges 164; anal 2, urosteges 78.
Dark brown with six longitudinal yellow or white lines, of which the first and
second are brightest. The second dark band is wider than the first and vertebral ;
and like the third is partly divided by a faint white line. Another white line on
each side is produced by a series of dark spots on the ends of the gastrosteges.
Labial plates black, yellow spotted. Head dark brown above with a pale shade
across frontal and two just behind parietals. Chin and belly yellowish.
Rostral small, low; postnasal higher than long ; loreal as high as long. Superior labials eight,
seventh highest; temporals 1—1. Inferior labials ten, sixth largest, in contact with middle of
postgeneials. Scales poreless. Gastrosteges 177 ; anal divided ; urosteges 91.
Color above fulvous, below fulvous-yellow. The three brown bands extend from the end of
the nose to near the end of the tail ; the lateral involves the fourth and the half of each adjacent
row of scales, and is black edged ; the dorsal is three and two half scales wide, and is also black
edo-ed. The brown is paler on top of the head, and the ground color is a narrow yellow band to
the eye. Lips yellow, like the lower surfaces unspotted.
From Orizaba, Vera Cruz ; obtained by Dr. Sumichrast; No. 7075 Mus. Smithsonian.
* Dromicus, Peters. f Lygophis, Cope.
J Dromicus, Gunther. § Dromicus, Cope.
|| Coronella, Gunther.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 141
98. Erythrolamprus venustissimus, Wied.
Sipurio.
99. Xenodon angustirostris, Peters, Monatsber. K. Preuss. Akad., Berlin.
Sipurio.
100. Stenorhina ventralis, Dum. Bibr., Erp. Gen. vii. 867.
Several specimens from Old Harbor.
The genera related to Stenorhina are numerous, and their characters may be
tabulated as follows : —
I. Internasal plates wanting.
a. Rostral produced backwards to the frontal.
Nasals and first labial confluent. Ficimia, Gray.
aa. Rostral not separating prefontals.
Nasals confluent with first labial; anal entire; prefontals in contact medially.
Sympholis, Cope.
Nasals and first labial distinct; anal divided. Conopsis, Giinth.
II. Internasals confluent with nasal plates.
Dentition glyphodont. Stenorhina, D. B.
Dentition isodont ; rostral shovel-like. Chilomeniscus, Cope.
III. Internasals and prefontals distinct.
a. Internasals separated by backward production of the rostral.
Nasals confluent with first labial. Gyalopium, Cope.
aa. Prefontals separated by forward production of the frontal.
Nasals one, distinct from labial. Toluca, Kenn.
aaa. Prefontals in contact medially.
@. Dentition isodont.
y. Snbcaudal scutella divided.
No loreal ; anal divided ; two nasals ; rostral produced. Geagras, Cope.
*
* Geagras redim-ittjs, Cope, sp. now
Head not distinct ; muzzle depressed, projecting much beyond the mouth, so that the first
superior labial is mostly inferior. Superior face of rostral as wide as length of prefontals; that
of internasals narrower, both pairs much wider than long. Frontal large, wide, and produced
behind; parietals as long as frontal, narrowed, bifurcate behind, the notch occupied by a large
scale. Superciliary plate small. Nasals elongate, very distinct, the posterior angle produced to
the preocular, on one side cut off, forming a loreal. Oculars 1-1, the posterior barely touching
by its posterior angle the anterior angle of the single temporal. Labials five above, the eye
resting on the middle of the third, which with the fifth is the longest. Inferior labials six, of
which three are in contact with the pregeneials, and the fourth and largest with the short post-
geneials. The symphyseal is wide, and in full contact with the pregeneials; postgeiieials not
3(5
142 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
A loreal ; anal entire ; two nasals ; rostral produced. Cemophora, Cope.
A loreal ; anal divided ; one nasal ; rostral much produced. Chionactis, Cope.
A loreal; anal divided; two nasals, rostral obtuse, not produced. Sonora, B. & G.
o. Subcaudal scutella entire.
Rostral produced ; scuta normal. Rkinochilus, B. & G.
(3 j. Dentition glyphodont.
Rostral little produced ; nasal distinct, undivided. Ogmius, Cope.
IV. Prefontals continuous on the middle line.
Internasals distinct; rostral produced. IAgonirostra, Cope.
Internasals medially united. Prosymna, Gray.
The preceding genera are all Mexican, Sonoran, or from adjoining regions,
excepting IAgonirostra and Prosymna (African). IAgonirostra, Cope (Amer. Journ.
Sci. Arts, 1863) was formerly called Temnorhynchus by Smith, but that name was
preoccupied.
There are only two species of Stenorhina, but several subspecies, which differ
as follows : —
Eight inferior labials, fifth largest. No loreal ; narrow cross-bands.
& kennicottiana, Cope.
Seven inferior labials, fourth largest. Seventeen rows scales ; temporals 1-2.
S. degenhardtii, Berth.
Subspecies I. Adults plumbeous-brown ; no loreal ; young with broad cross-
bands. S>. d. ventralis, D. B.
Subsp. II. A loreal; scales above the third row with a black tip; ground color
pale brown. S. d. apiata, Cope.
Subsp. III. Loreal present or absent; five black longitudinal bands on a light
brownish ground. & d. freminviUei, D. & B.
The & d. apiata is from Tehuantepec, from Sumichrast.
401. Tantilla melanocephala, Linn., Dum. Bibron, vii. p. 859.
From Van Patten's collection.
separated from each other by scales. Scales of the bod}' smooth, poreless, and in fifteen longi-
tudinal rows. Gastrosteges 118; anal double; urosteges 25.
Color very pale yellow, each scale, excepting those of the first row, with a brown apical spot,
which is in all except the two outer of these, continued to the base of the scale as a brown line.
Head above dark brown, with an oval yellowish ellipse surrounding the middle portions, passing
round the muzzle and superciliary, and through the length of the parietal plates as a wide baud.
Below unspotted. Total length in. 160; length to rictus oris, .005; of tail, .020.
Found by Dr. Francis Sumichrast on the west side of the State of Tehuantepec, Mexico, and
sent by him to the Smithsonian Institution (No. 8).
To the above description I add that the Toluca frontalis, Cope, from Colima, is congeneric
with this species in all technical characters.
OX THE BATRACIIIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 143
102. Tantilla armillata, Cope, sp. nov.; Tantilla melanocephala, var. Cope, Proceed. Acad.
Philada. 1871, p. 205.
Form slender ; scales in fifteen longitudinal rows. Rostral plate not protube-
rant; prefontals three times as long as internasals, equalling the parietal suture
of the frontal. Frontal wide, considerably shorter than parietals. Nasals little
notched below, the posterior reaching the preocular. Seventh superior labial much
the largest; temporals 1—1, the anterior bordering the postoculars. Inferior labials
six, first pair slightly united, four in contact with geneials, fourth largest, elongate,
touching both geneials. Gastrosteges 166 ; anal divided ; urosteges 50.
Above chocolate-brown ; head and nape for five scales, black, with a yellow spot
in the individual described, on the end of the muzzle, on the posterior part of each
parietal plate ; and two on the lip behind the eye, and one below the nostril. The
black is bordered behind by a yellow collar of two scales width, which is also bor-
dered by black behind except where it sends off on the third and fourth rows of
scales on each side a narrow light band which extends to the tail. Below this,
and on the median row of scales, is a narrow brown line. Below immaculate.
Middle Costa Rica; Dr. Van Patten.
The species of Tantilla may be distinguished as follows: —
I. Superior labials six; orbitals 1—1.
Muzzle produced ; preorbital not in contact with superciliary nor nasal ; three
longitudinal bands. T. calamarina, Cope.
Muzzle less produced; preorbital in contact with superciliary and nasal; temporal
one ; three bands. T. bimaculata, Cope.:;:
Temporals two ; no bands. T. gracilis, B. & G.
II. Superior labials seven ; orbitals 1—1.
Coloration uniform. T. planiceps, Blainv.
III. Superior labials seven ; two postoculars.
a. Postnasals in contact with preocular, or nearly so.
* Tantilla bimaculata, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in fifteen rows. Rostral strongly protuberant beyond mouth. Nasals little notched
below by first labial ; postnasal barely or quite reaching preocular. Frontal large, longer than
suture to rostral, not presenting an angle forwards ; superciliaries not reduced; parietals about
as long as the frontal. One temporal barely touching postocular ; fifth upper labial highest.
Five inferior labials, first pair widely separated, only three in contact with geneials, third largest
in contact with both geneials. Gastrosteges 130 ; anal double ; urosteges 34.
Color light brown with three darker narrow longitudinal bands. Top of head dark colored
in continuation of the middle band ; on each side of the occipital plate behind a large yellow
spot. Below immaculate.
This well-marked species was found near Mazatlan by Mr. Bischoff, and is No. 6834 of the
Smithsonian Catalogue.
144 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
(3. Posterior labials elevated, separated from parietals by one temporal.
Form slender; a yellow, black-bordered collar near parietal plates. T. miniata, Cope.
(3(3. Posterior labials elevated, bounded above by two temporals.
Labials bigber ; first inferior labials separate ; black with wide yellow collar.
T. ?noesta, Gthr.
Frontal narrower; posterior labials higher; body banded. T. melanocephala, Linn.
Frontal wider ; posterior labials lower ; body uniform red. T. rubra* Cope.
(3(3. Posterior labials low, bounded above by two temporals.
y. Inferior labials of first pair in contact on the middle line.
Postnasal very small; collar far behind head; body banded; urosteges 51.
T. armillata, Cope.
Postnasal large; collar crossing parietal scuta; body unicolor. T. coronata, B & G.
yy. Inferior labials separated by symphyseal.
Urosteges 67 ; postnasal large, bounded below by first labial ; a yellow collar.
T. reticulata, Cope.
Urosteges 57 ; postnasal chiefly bounded by second labial ; head black, no collar.
T. nigriceps, Kenn.
Urosteges 39; first labial rising to nostril; head and body uniform.
T. canula,-\ Cope.
* Tantilla rubra, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales poreless, in fifteen rows. Rostral plate little prominent; frontal wide, its anterior
borders longer than its superciliary, and forming together an anterior angle. Snperciliaries well
developed ; parietals much longer than frontal, notched behind. Nasals strongly notched below
for the first labial ; the postnasal barely touching the large preocular by its angle. Last three
labials elevated, the seventh most so; temporals 1-1, the anterior in contact with postoculars.
Only six inferior labials, first pair in contact, the fourth largest, elongate, and in contact with
geneials of both pairs. Gastrosteges 149 ; anal divided ; tail injured. Length of head and body
m. .310. Color red; top of head black, followed by a yellow collar which involves the extremi-
ties of the parietal plates, and is followed by a black collar three scales wide. A pale spot below
nostril and one on lip behind orbit. From Dr. Sumichrast, from Japaua, Tchuautepec.
| Tantilla canula, Cope, sp. nov. ; Tantilla vermifo?->nis, "Hallow.;" Cope, Proceed. Academy
Philada. 18G6, p. 126.
This small species is represented by two specimens (Nos. 413 and 737) taken by Arthur
Schott in Yucatan, while attached to the Comision Scientifica under the direction of Governor
Illaregui. Comparison with four of the T. vermiformis of Hallowell establishes the specific
difference of the two in a satisfactory manner.
Scales in fifteen rows without apical pores ; muzzle rather wide, but projecting beyond the
mouth. Internasals and prefontals narrow, transverse, frontal rather small, longer than suture
to rostral, to which it presents an angle. Snperciliaries rather large ; parietals longer than
frontal, notched behind. Temporals 1-1 ; eye over suture between third and fourth labials ;
seventh labial the largest. Postgeneials short, in contact with each other. Fourth labial below,
the largest, in contact with pre- and postgeneials. Color leaden, darker above. Head shields
with paler borders and centres. Gastrosteges 110; anal divided; urosteges 37. Total length
m. .172; of tail .037.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 145
Urosteges 25 ; nasals not interrupted by first upper labial ; head dark with a pale
occipital spot. T. vermiformis, Hallow,
aa. Postnasals separated from preocular by a wide space.
No loreal ; last upper labial larger than sixth ; body above with black and white
half-rings. T. semicincta, D. & B.
A loreal; last upper labial smaller than sixth; body with complete black and white
rings. T. atrocincta, D. & B.
103. Microdromus virgatus, Giintlier, Ann. Magaz. Nat. Hist. 18T2, PI. IV.
Unknown to me.
104. Ninia atrata, Hallow. ; Streptophorus drozii, Dum. Bibr.
San Jose ; Dr. Van Patten.
105. Ninia sebje, D. & B.; subspecies macblata, Peters, Monatsber. K. Preuss. Akad. 1861, p. 924.
Subspecies tessellatus, Cope.
This distinct color variety resembles the typical in squamation, as in the nine-
teen rows of scales all keeled, seven superior labials with the third and fourth
entering the orbit, and in the four lower labials in contact with the geneials. The
color above is a rosy brown, marked with numerous transverse bands of black
with zigzag borders, as the color covers entire scales. Neck of the same ground
color; head above brown. Lower surfaces black, with square 1 red spots on the
gastrosteges. This portion of the coloration is quite distinct from that of the N.
s. maculata, or other varieties.
106. CONTIA PACHYURA, Sp. nOV.
Scales smooth, in seventeen longitudinal rows, generally poreless, sometimes
with one pore. Head rather elongate, rostral plate not prominent ; internasals
wider than long ; prefontals long as wide. Frontal rather elongate, but shorter
than the parietals. Nasals oblique; loreal large, higher than long, encroaching on
the single preocular, which does not reach the frontal. Postoculars two, smooth,
subequal; temporals 1-1. Superior labials eight, the fourth and fifth entering
orbit, the posterior rather low. Geneials equal, rather elongate. The tail is long,
entering the total length three and three-fifth times, and is thickened to near the
end. Gastrosteges 133; urosteges 50. Total length m. .335.
The color is black, the lower lateral rows of scales with a rufous shade. Scales
of the first row with gray tips. Head blackish-brown, a black line from eye above
labials ; latter yellowish, unspotted. Belly yellowish, each scutum with a black
extremity.
From Sipurio.
37
146 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
This species is allied to the C. calligaster, differing in its physiognomy and
coloration as well as in some technical characters. Thus the loreal plate is larger
and differently formed, and the tail is longer and stouter. It is less than one-fifth
the length in the C. calligaster.
107. CONTIA CALLIGASTER, Cope, Sp. DOV.
Form stout, head little distinct. Teeth gradually increasing in length to the
posterior, which is smooth. Scales smooth, poreless; one nasal plate, a subquadrate
loreal, one pre- and two postoculars. Muzzle narrowed; side of frontal plate longer
than the front, not reaching the preocular. Superior labials seven, third and fourth
bounding orbit; temporals 1-1-2. Inferior labials eight, fourth and fifth largest,
first barely in contact behind symphyseal. Scales acuminate, in seventeen rows.
Gastrosteges 152, anal double; the urosteges 46. Pre- and postgeneials equal.
Color above dark brown, with a narrow vertebral black band. Two lateral
paler bands, on the first and second and fourth and fifth rows of scales, the space
between black. A black band along the ends of the gastrosteges ; belly yellow,
except a series of black crescents on the median front of each suture. Labials
broadly black bordered. Middle line of tail below black. In a second specimen
there is an additional superior labial in front of the orbit, and the temporals are
1-2-2. The lateral light lines are wide and indistinct, and the entire base of each
gastrostege is black.
From the Pico Blanco.
108. Catostoma psephotum, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in seventeen longitudinal rows, keeled except the inferior. Form rather
slender, the head moderately distinct. Maxillary teeth extending as far as the
posterior border of the first upper labial. Front somewhat convex, internasals four-
sided. Frontal with convex anterior suture, and lateral and two posterior sutures
subequal. Orbit bounded by the prefrontal and large loreal ; nasal undivided.
Postorbitals two, temporals 1-2—2. Superior labials six, fourth immediately under
orbit, but the third touching it ; sixth longest. Inferior labials six, first pair
'joined behind symphyseal; all these, with the pregeneials, tuberculate (in one
specimen). A pair of short postgeneials. Median keels stronger than the others ;
tail with triangular section. Gastrosteges 162; anal entire; urosteges 73. Color
above uniform black; below black with the half or less of an occasional scutum
red, forming a tesselated pattern ; but few spots on the urosteges.
M.
Total length 480
Length of tail 128
" to rictus oris . . . . . . . . . .010
Width of head behind 008
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 14 7
109. Catostoma doliciiocephalum, Cope ; Goloborjnathus dolichocephala, Cope, Proceed. Acad.
Philada. 18U, p. 211.
Scales in thirteen longitudinal series, carinate to the urosteges on the tail, to
the first vow of scales on the posterior, and to the second row on the anterior part
of the body. Head elongate conic, scarcely distinct from the neck. Internasals
very small, prefrontals very long. Frontal wide, openly angulate in front, with
superciliary margins distinct from the parietal ; latter plates well developed.
Superior labials six, second bounding nasal and loreal; third a little, fourth largely
in the eye, fifth longer than high, in contact with parietal. One temporal above sixth
labial, which is higher than long. Inferior labials six, second and third minute,
fourth long and narrow. Postgeneials small, separated by a scutum. Oculars 0-1.
Rostral elevated, not separating internasals. Tail slender, 5.75 times in the total
length. Gastrosteges 131, anal 1, urosteges 39. Color of body above and entire
tail, black, a series of large distant red spots on each side, which often meet above,
forming half-rings. These disappear on tail and neck. Below red, lower lip and
chin black. Length 12-14 inches.
San Jose, Costa Rica. Dr. Van Patten.
This species differs from the C. nasale, Cope (Proceed. Academy, 1868, p. 131),
in the fewer scale-rows (the latter has seventeen), the coloration, etc.
110. Catostoma BRAcnYCEPHALUM, Cope; Colobognathus b7-achycephala, Cope,\oc. cit. 1811, p. 2 11.
Scales in fifteen longitudinal rows, smooth except a faint trace of carination
near the posterior part of the body. Head flat, rather wide behind and distinct
from neck. Postgeneials small, separated by a scale. Rostral moderate, inter-
nasals not minute, prefrontals nearly as broad as long. Frontal broad, convex in
front, superciliary and parietal sutures nearly continuous. Oculars 0-1. Superior
labials six, two behind orbit, sixth longer than high, separated by one temporal ;
fifth longer than high, bounding parietal ; third and chiefly fourth in eye. Lower
labials seven; geneials short, wide. Gastrosteges 124:, anal 1, urosteges 38.
Color of body above and entire tail, black ; gastrosteges reddish, brown mar-
gined. A yellowish or orange collar crosses behind the parietal plates and a band
of the same color extends from the side of the neck to the tail on the second and
third rows in front and third to fifth behind. This band is composed of two rows
of alternating narrow spots, which are not always perfectly united.
Total length eight inches, the tail one-sixth of the total.
The species just described agree with the C. nasale, the C. semidoliatum, and the
Colobognathus hoffmannii, in having the first labial behind the eye in contact with
the parietal shield. They are intermediate in the structure of the jaws, between
148 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
the types of the two genera named. In the C. semidoliatum the maxillary bone is
developed and bears teeth opposite the first labial plate. In the Colobognathus
hoffmannii, it with the palatine is cartilaginous in front, and bears no teeth anterior
to the fourth labial shield. In the C. brachycephalum and C. dolichocephalum, the
maxillary and palatine are better developed, the teeth extending to the posterior
margin of the second superior labial. In the serpent described by me (Proc. Ac.
Nat. Sci. 1869, p. 131) as Catostoma nasale, the dentition is precisely as in the two
species here described, while in the C. bicolor, Gthr., the character of the dentition
is intermediate between them and that of the C. semidoliatum. In the genus Colo-
phrys, Cope, from Guatemala and Yucatan (1. c. 1868, p. 130), the maxillary is
still better developed, the teeth commencing at the anterior part of the second
upper labial.
111. Colobognathus hoffmannii, Peters, Monatsber. K. Preuss. Acad. 1863, p. 214.
PROTEROGLYPHA.
112. Pelamis bicolor, Daudin.
This sea-snake has been now frequently brought from the Pacific coast of Cen-
tral America since the first note of its occurrence there, Proceed. Academy Phil-
adelphia, 1859, p. 347.
113. Elaps multifasciatus, Jan, Revue et Magazine Zoologie, 1859, PL A. Cope, Proceed.
Acad. Pbilada. 1871, p. 209.
San Jose ; Dr. Van Patten.
114. Elaps ornatissimus, Jan, loc. cit.
San Jose ; Dr. Van Patten.
115. Elaps nigrocinctus, Girard, U. S. Astronomical Expedition, II. p. 210, plate.
San Jose ; Dr. Van Patten.
116. Elaps circinalis, Dum. Bibron.
Several specimens with the rings varying in number from eleven to eighteen.
Scales in the intervals black tipped. Talamanca.
SOLENOGLYPHA.
Teleuraspides, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1871, p. 205.
This group of the rattlesnake family embraces those with undivided anal
shields and no rattle. It stands immediately between the true Trigonocephali and
the Crotali, as the former have divided caudal scutella and the rattle absent, the lat-
ter possess the rattle with simple scutella. One genus of this division was described
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 149
long ago by Beauvois, and adopted by Gray and others, that is the Ancistrodon of
North America and Mexico, but most of the genera have only been recognized
within a recent period. In March, 1859, Prof. Peters distinguished a second genus
of the group, and towards the close of the same year the writer named a third.
Prof. Peters named another genus, which may be retained, though in a sense quite
different from that in which it was originally intended. I allude to Bothriopsis,
first defined by the four small scuta on the top of the muzzle of one of the species,
a character not worthy of such a valuation. The characters adopted will be seen
below. All the known species are found between north Mexico and Peru.
I. Head scaled above.
a. Body compressed, tail prehensile (arboreal).
A series of horn-like scales above the eye, outside of the superciliary shield.
Teleuraspis.
Superciliary reaching to the edge of the eye opening; no horns. Bothriechis.
act. Body cylindric, tail straight (terrestrial).
Nasal plate one. Porthidium.
Nasal plates two. Bothriopsis.
II. Head with nine plates above.
Body cylindric; two nasals. Ancistrodon.
in. Teleurapsis sonLEGELii, Bertbold, Abb. Wiss. Gottingen, 1847, iii. 13 (Trigonocephalus),
Cope, Pr. A. N. Sci. 1859, p. 338 ; 1860, p. 345.
This species is abundant in eastern Costa Pica, and displays three color varie-
ties. All the specimens have twenty-three rows of scales, and some eight, and
others nine superior labials. There is no tendency to division of the urosteges.
From Ecuador to Costa Rica.
Var. I, nitida, Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1859, nov. Tab. (Lachesis),
I.e. 345, et 1868, p. 110.
Green with brownish-red vertical bands on each side which usually alternate ;
belly green and yellow varied with black, punctulate. Ecuador.
Var. II. Green with a series of small brown dorsal spots ; below as in Var. I.
Var. Ill, nigroadspersus, Steindachner, Sitzungsberg. Wien. Akademie, 1870,
May, PI. VIII.
Golden yellow ; lower surfaces unspotted.
According to the observation of Mr. Gabb, this is a dangerous species, its bite
requiring prompt treatment to prevent a fatal result. It is distributed from the
coast (Old Harbor) inland to an elevation of 5-600 feet above the sea.
38
150 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
118. BoTHRiEcms nioroviridis, Peters, 1. c; Cope, 1. c.; Monatsber. K. Preuss. Akadenrie, 1859,
p. 278; Cope, Pr. A. N. Sci. Phila. 1859, p. 345; Thamnocenchris, Salvin.
This genus is, like the last, confined to the great forests of Central America
and the northwest of South America. Species have been found further north than
those of Teleuraspis. Like the latter they inhabit trees, filling the place in America
of the species of the East Indies which belong to the Bothropes, and of the tree-
vipers of Africa, Athens, Cope. All the species of these different groups are of
green colors, in contradistinction to those of terrestrial habits, which are of various
shades of brown. This is evidently related to their convenience in the struggle
for existence in the localities in question.
From an elevated point on the Pico Blanco. Mr. Gabb states that it occurs
in the central valley also, from which it has been brought by Dr. Van Patten.
119. Bothriechis lateralis, Peters, Monatsb. K. Preuss. Acad. 1862, p. 674 ; Bothrops bilinea-
tus, Pet., 1. c. 1859, p. 278 ; ? Bothrops bicolor, Bocourt, Ann. des Sci. Nat. 1868, p. 201.
Costa Rica.
120. Bothriopsis affinis, Bocourt, Ann. Sci. Nat. 1868, p 201; Teleuraspis mexicanus, Cope,
Pr. A. N. S. 1859, p. 339; Bothriechis do., Cope, 1. c. 1860, p. 345; nee Atropus mexicanus,
D. B.
Mexico, as far north as Tuxpan, and Central America to Costa Rica.
Superciliary shields very narrow ; no small scales surrounding rostral. Scales
in 23 ("25") rows, three inferior smooth; small scales on canthus, four rows below
eye; rostral broad as high; nine superior labials, fourth largest. Twenty-two
dorsal rhombs.
The species of this genus are all of terrestrial habits, and approach in this
respect the Ancistrodontes. They have a more extended range than any of the
preceding, occurring from the upper or Peruvian Amazon to northern Mexico.
They are very venomous, but not so. much dreaded as the true Bothropes of the
same regions, which attain a larger size.
121. Bothriopsis proboscideus, sp. nov.
A rather small species of sombre colors, allied to the B. brachystoma. Scales
in twenty-three series, all carinate, the inferior but slightly ; those of the top of
the head and muzzle not very different in size, also keeled. Superciliary plates
each a broad oval, the two separated by five rows of scales, of which the external
on each side follows the inner border of the plate. A narrow shield on each side
of the end of the muzzle which is bent up at its middle, lying against the posterior
side of the rostral plate, and in contact with its fellow, the extremities of the two
having a bilobed outline. Rostral plate three times as high as wide, lying against
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
151
the plates just described by its upper part, the three forming an erect appendage
or short proboscis. Nasal plates distinct, the posterior impressed, the anterior in
the plane of the rostral, with an anterior angle produced between the rostral and
superior plate of the muzzle. Pit surrounded by small scales; one large preocular.
Labials nine above, fifth longest, separated from the orbit by three rows of scales.
Lower labials nine, one pair of short geneials, followed by two pairs of shorter
scales.
M.
Total length 310
Length of tail 040
" to rictus oris ......... .015
Width of head at supercilia ....... .008
" " temples 016
Color yellowish-brown above, blackish below. On the upper surface of the
body eighteen quadrate spots divided by a narrow, light vertebral line, and divided
in the transverse direction so that each is composed of four spots, which are
smaller and most separated on the anterior part of the body. Lips black, the
lower with vertical white bars. A brown band from eye to behind angle of mouth,
bordered by white in front ; a semidiscoid brown spot below eye.
This venomous snake resembles the Porthidium nasutum of Bacourt, according
to the description of that author, but it is stated to have but one nasal shield,
while all of the specimens of the B. proboscideus possess two.
Not rare at Sipurio, at the base of the mountains.
TRiaONOCEPHALI.
122. Bothrops atrox, Linn.
Abundant in the coast region; one specimen measures six feet, and Mr. Gabb
assures me that it reaches eight feet in length. It is the most formidable veno-
mous snake in the country, and is known by the name of Tamagaf. Its bite is
generally fatal, unless very promptly treated. Dr. C. R. Lordley, a resident in
the country for many years, has saved many cases by the following treatment:
He forbids alcohol, and administers fifteen drops of ammonia diluted every quarter
or half hour, which, if not speedily beneficial, is replaced by the same amount of
tincture of iodine. Salt is especially to be avoided, as well as fresh vegetable food,
light animal diet being recommended. Hemorrhage into the stomach and alimen-
tary canal is said to be aggravated by salt. The bowels are to be kept open by
sufficient doses of castor oil. The usual violent thirst is not to be quenched by
water, but by tea of cinnamon or guaca.
152 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
123. Laciiesis stenopiirys, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in thirty-six longitudinal series, of which ten on each side of the median
line support a central tubercle. The muzzle is short and depi'essed, and the
rostral plate is an equilateral triangle. The superior labials number nine, of which
the third is much the largest. The second is low, and does not bound the maxil-
lary pit. The latter is bordered by three scuta ; the superior narrow, bounds the
two preoculars ; the inferior wider, stands on the third labial, and the anterior,
which is subcrescentic, and stands on the second superior labial. A trapezoid
dorsal bounds the large superior preocular in front. Four rows of scales separate
the orbit from the labials. The scales of the top of the head are flat, hexagonal,
and faintly keeled ; twelve series separate the superciliaries, which are quite
narrow. Inferior labials thirteen, the first large, and with the second in contact
with the geneials. The latter form but one pair, are squarely truncate in front,
and narrowly rounded behind. Gastrosteges 200 ; urosteges, double 32, quad-
ruple 17 ; caudal spine well developed. Color (in spirits) fawn brown, with
twenty-three reddish-brown median rhombs on the dorsal region. The lateral
angles of these are dark spots, sometimes isolated, and do not extend below the
fifth row of scales. On the middle of the body the rhombs have pale centres,
posteriorly they are darker, and become confluent into a zigzag band. Tail
dark brown, with narrow, light cross bands. Lower surfaces all greenish-yellow,
except the throat and chin, which are white (in spirits). A black band extends
from the eye above the labials, and is broken upon the neck into a series of black
spots. Top of head uniform brown.
M.
Total length 495
Length of tail .......... .050
of gape 021
One specimen from Sipurio.
This species is of much interest as increasing our knowledge of the structural
and geographical range of the genus Lachesis, heretofore represented only by the
L. mutus of Surinam. As such, it has the distal caudal scutella four-rowed and
tubercular.
OROTALI.
124. Crotalus durissus, Linn. ; G. horridus, Auctor., Pluv. ; Caudisona durissa, Laurenti.
This large species was not found by Dr. Gabb in Talamanca, but was brought
by Dr. Van Patten from the neighborhood of San Jose.
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA. 153
TESTUDINATA.
125. SriiARGis coriacea, Linn.
Young specimens from Limon, indicating a breeding place for this species.
120. ClNOSTERNUM LEUCOSTOMUM, Dlllll.
Young and adults from Old Harbor and Sipurio.
12V. Cinosternum albogulare, Dum. Boc. Miss. Sci. Mexique, p. 24.
128. Pseudemys ornata, Bell; CaUichelys oi-nata, Gray, Supplem. Catal. Shield Reptiles, p. 48.
129. Chelopus gabbii, sp. nov.
Form resembling Testudo, stout, and with short thick feet with very short
webs. Outline of carapace a regular ellipse, the margin not incised, but a little
revolute behind and before. Top of shell flat in profile, bearing a well-marked
but obtuse keel from nuchal plate to the caudals. Vertebral scuta (in an adult)
broader than long, with straight transverse sutures ; penultimate narrower behind,
the last one the largest of all, wider than long. Plastron flat, turned up at the
bridges and in front, strongly notched behind. The anterior lobe is concavely
truncate in front, with a tooth-like protuberance at each outer angle ; the sides
oblique to the axilla. Gular scuta wide, their common suture not longer than
that of the humerals.
Muzzle nearly vertical, beak not notched ; symphysis recurved, horny alveolar
ridge minutely serrate. Forearm with large scales in front, on the outer edge,
and in a transverse band behind the wrist. Hind leg with a row of large scales
on the inner front of the lower half of the tibia, continuous with those covering
the inner toe. Two scales on the outer posterior border of the hind foot, followed
by a large one covering the rudimental outer toe, which forms an obtuse process.
Tail smooth.
Color above wood brown, middle of plastron from humeral scuta to posterior
border darker brown ; remainder of lower surfaces, wax-yellow. Head brown
above, a faint red band round the muzzle, and a short one on the median line
above. A yellowish brown-edged band from the temple to the middle of the neck,
and a similar one from the eye to the tympanum. Neck and limbs yellowish,
speckled with brown and black ; hind legs blackish on the outer side.
M.
Length of carapace . . . . . . . . . .186
Width of 120
Elevation of " 060
This essentially terrestrial tortoise resembles the C. areolatus, Dumeril, and the
C. annulatus {Rhinodemmys, Gray). The former has a roof-shaped back, and has
39
154 ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF COSTA RICA.
the vertebral scuta longer than wide. According to Gray, the keels of the ver-
tebral scuta of the C. annulatus are confined to their anterior part, and the colors
are materially different. It also resembles the C. incisus, Bocourt ; but this turtle
is represented as without the row of scuta on the inner front of the tibia ; the
edge of the carapace is strongly dentate, and the gular scuta are much longer, and
have a very different anterior margin. I only know this species from the figure and
description of Bocourt.
The Chelopus gabbii is dedicated to the learned geologist who made the col-
lection here described.
130. Chelopus funereus, sp. nov.
Represented by four specimens, none of which are adult, the largest having a
carapace 4.75 inches in length. On examination with the view of ascertaining
whether they represent the young of the C. gabbii, I find so many distinguishing
features as to render it necessary to name them.
As in young tortoises, the carapace is wider than in adults of the same species.
It is not revolute and very slightly serrate behind. An obtuse vertebral keel.
Plastron notched behind ; the anterior lobe with a shallow concavity of the ante-
rior border, the edge on each side of it projecting in three teeth. The free border
of the humeral scute is strongly convex behind the gular. The feet are more
strongly webbed in this species than in the last, and there are five scuta on the
external border of the hind foot, which do not terminate in a large one, since
there is no projection representing the outer toe. There is no row of scuta on the
inner face of the tibia ; but the forearm is plated in front, on the outer edge, and
in a band behind the wrist. In the smaller specimens there is a slight notch in
the border of the upper jaw, in the larger it is absent. The median suture of the
gular scuta is twice as long as that of the humerals. The first vertebral scute is
relatively longer than the others, while the last one is only half as large as those
that precede it.
Color black on the upper surface of the head, neck, and carapace ; plastron
black, except a narrow, yellowish border. Throat, limbs, and marginal scuta
below, yellowish, black speckled. Outer side of hind legs and feet, and outer
edge of fore legs black. Some rows of black spots on the lower jaw and front of
fore leg ; anterior toes yellow, with black borders No markings on the upper
side of head and neck.
The adult of this species will probably be found to be of very obscure color.
It displays unusual tardiness in the ossification of both carapace and plastron,
the largest specimen being very soft. It is probably allied to the Mauremys fuli-
ginosa of Gray. From Limon.
Art. V. — On the Batrachia and Reptilia collected by Dr. John 31. Bransford during
the Nicaraguan Canal Survey of 1874.
By E. D. Cope.
BATRACHIA.
1. Ccecilia ochrocepiiala, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 18G6, 132.
From the Atlantic side of the Isthmus.
2. Micropiiryne pustulosa, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1864, 180.
Buchio Soldado.
3. Bufo hjematiticus, Cope, loc. cit., 1862, p. 157.
Camp Mary Caretta.
4. Bufo pleuropterus, Schmidt, Denkschriften Wiener Academie, 18.
Buhio Soldado and Camp Mary Caretta.
5. Bufo agua, Daudin.
6. Hyla el^ochroa, Cope, Journal Philada. Academy, 1875, supra, p. 105.
?From the Pacific side.
7. Phyllobates ridens, Cope, loc. cit., 1866, p. 131.
8. LlTHODYTES DIASTEMA, Cope, Sp. nOV.
Approximating Phyllobates in the slight development of the vomerine teeth,
and further characterized by the shortness of its feet. The former are in two
very short transverse patches behind and within the line of the middle of the
choana?, and separated by an interspace as wide as the length of each. The
tongue is obpyriform, rounded and extensively free behind. The ostia pharyngea
are minute. The membranum tympani is indistinct, with a diameter of less than
half that of the eye slit. The head is an oval in outline, with narrowly truncate
and depressed muzzle. The canthus is obtuse, but not concave. Nares subter-
minal ; diameter of orbit about equal length of head in front of it. Cranium
above slightly convex in both directions.
The toes are short, and the digital dilations are large on all the feet. On the
anterior the first toe is shorter than the second. On the posterior the fifth is
longer than the third, and reaches the base of the penultimate phalange of the
third. The muzzle marks the wrist and the middle of the tibia of the extended
limbs.
(155)
156
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF NICARAGUA.
Color above dark brown; a darker brown between the eyes, which is paler
bordered anteriorly. Below, pale brown.
M.
.0200
Total length
Length to axilla
" to tympanum
Width head at tympanum
Length of fore limb
" of fore foot .
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot .
" of tibia
" of tarsus
.0090
.0060
.0070
.0115
.0035
.0270
.0120
.0085
.0060
This species resembles the Lithodytes habenatus, Cope (supra, p. 109), in the
position of the vomerine teeth, but differs much in the form of the feet. In that
frog the dilatations are much smaller and the feet much longer. In the hind foot
this is chiefly due to the elongation of the fourth toe, which exceeds the third and
fifth by three and a sixth phalanges.
The Lithodytes diastema was found by Dr. Bransford at the camp Mary Caretta,
Panama.
LACERTILIA.
9. CORYTHOPHANES CRISTATUS, MeiTem.
Buhio Soldado.
10. Basiliscus guttulatus, Cope, sp. nov.
Represented by a young male, which displays a number of remarkable charac-
ters. The back and median line of the tail support the membranous crest stretched
between the elongate neural spines as seen in B. plumifrons, B. mitratus, etc., but
the head-crest, instead of being covered, as in those species with large thin scales,
presents only small smooth scales like those of the occipital region. This crest is
also of smaller size than in the species named, only beginning to rise from a line
connecting the tympanic drums, although preceded by a keel to near the line of
the border of the orbits. It is not much elevated, but is prolonged chiefly back-
wards, and has a truncate posterior outline. Points in which the species differs
from the B. cristatus are, the presence of two large scuta bounding the rostral
shield above, and the presence of two large labials behind the point of junction
with the suborbital ring of scales. There are only ten rays to the dorsal fin, and
ON THE BATRACHIA AND REPTILIA OF NICARAGUA.
lot
fifteen to the caudal, the latter graduating imperceptibly to the usual keel. Neither
crest is bordered at the margin with large scales. The ventral scales are entirely
smooth, while the dorsals are smaller and keeled ; the lateral are smaller still.
Color olivaceous-brown above, shaded with leaden on the sides ; yellowish
below. A few black spots at the base of the dorsal crest. Sides and throat with
small black spots. A black band from eye to tympanum, bordered with yellow
below. Hind legs and feet with brown, yellow-bordered cross-bands.
M.
Total length
.455
Length to vent .......
.125
" to axilla ......
•
.060
" to tympanum ......
.030
" to orbit .......
.012
Width between orbits .....
.016
Length of fore limb ......
.060
" of hind limb ......
.130
" of hind foot ......
.063
From camp at Buhio Soldado, Panama.
11. Anolis trochilus, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada., 1871, p. 215.
Buhio Soldado.
12. Anolis petersii, Bocourt, Miss. Scient. Mexique, p. 79.
Station 19.
13. Anolis capito, Peters.
Bio Frijole.
14. Amiva pr^isignis, Bd. Gird.
OPHIDIA.
15. Spilotes corais, L.; subspecies melanurus, Dum. Bibr.
16. Xenodon angustirostris, Peters.
Camp Mary Caretta.
17. Sibon annulatum, Linn.
From the Atlantic side.
18. Teleuraspis sciilegelii, Berth.
From the Atlantic side.
Total number of species obtained by Dr. Bransford, eighteen.
40
Art. VI. — Report on the Reptiles brought by Professor James Orton from the middle
and upper Amazon, and western Peru.
By E. D. Cope.
The following pages contain a list of the species as expressed in the above
title, including descriptions of such as have not been previously known to zoology.
A report on the Batrachia obtained by Prof. Orton has already appeared,* which
included thirty-six species ; of these fourteen were believed to be new. The
present list embraces seventy-four species, of which seventeen are new. The
Lacertilia number thirty-three species, the Ophidia forty-one.
The localities at Avhich the greater number of species were obtained are :
Santarem (on the lower Amazon) ; Solimoens (or middle Amazon) ; the Maranon
(or upper Amazon) at several points, viz., near the mouth of the Napo, at Iquitos
and Nauta on the Peruvian and Ecuadorian borders ; on the Huallaga between
Balsa Puerto and Moyabama, and near Moyabamba and Rioja, Peru. A few
specimens were obtained near Lake Titicaca, which represent three species, viz. :
Cyclorhamphus cemaricus, Cope; Tachymenis chilensis, Schlegel; and Proctotretus
multiformis, Cope. These all belong to genera of the Pacific side of the Andes,
none of which are known from east of that range, and the Tachymenis chilensis is
the commonest snake of Chili and western Bolivia. The indications respecting
the fauna of eastern Peru furnished by Professor Orton's collections are, that it
differs in no essential respect from that of the great Amazon valley.
The Peruvian species were mostly derived from the valley of Jequetepeque,
which extends from the Cordillera of Caxamarca to near the coast at Pacasmayo.
They are sixteen in number, and include type forms of the West Coast Fauna in
the genera Microlophus and Craniopeltis.
LACERTILIA.
LEPTOGLOSSA.
1. Mabuia cepedei, Gray; Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1802, p. 186.
Nauta.
2. Matjbta surinamensis, HalloTvell, Cope, loc. cit.
From the Maranon near the mouth of the Napo.
* Proceedings Academy Philada., 1874, p. 120.
( 159 )
ICO ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
3. Propus vermjformts, Copo, Proceed. Acad. Thilada. 1874, p. TO.
From Nauta.
4. Lepidosoma carinicaudatum, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales large, angulate, strongly keeled on the back and sides ; four abdominal
rows with the keel reduced to an angle and mucro, otherwise like the dorsal scales.
The dorsals are a little larger than the ventrals, and these a little larger than the
inferior lateral. A few small scales in the groin and axilla, and above the humerus.
No granular scales on the side of the neck, but keeled scales between the arm and
ear. Nuchal scales like the dorsal ; the gulars a little smaller than the ventrals,
keeled and mucronate. Four superior rows of caudal scales strongly keeled,
forming four continuous ridges. Two lateral rows weakly keeled ; four inferior
series strongly keeled, forming ridges. Twenty-six oblique rows of scales between
occiput and posterior line of femora; twenty-seven between infralabials and femo-
ral pores, and twenty-one in a circle round the body. Two large preanal scuta,
each flanked by a small lateral, and preceded by an oval median scale, which has
a small one on each side.
The frontonasal plate is broader than long; the prefrontals not extensively in
contact, and the frontal is twice as long as wide. The frontoparietals are largely in
contact, and the parietals and interparietals are longitudinal and subequal in size.
Two loreals, one above the other, no preoculars ; five supraoculars and four supra-
orbitals. The temporal scales small, smooth ; larger and keeled behind. Cranial
plates behind the prefrontals with one or two linear ridges. Three pairs of very
large infralabials, a row of granules only separating ths last pair. Eleven femoral
pores on each side. The diameter of the oval meatus auditorius is equal to that
of the eye-slit. The limbs are covered with large keeled scales, except the postero-
inferior faces of the femur and humerus, which are granulated. The limbs are
short, the anterior reaching the middle of the orbit, the posterior five-sixths the
distance to the axilla. Thumb clawed.
M.
Total length (tail partly renewed) . . . . . . .115
050
" to axilla .....
" to ear .....
to orbit
"Width of head at angle of jaws .
Length of hind limb
" of hind foot
.021
.011
.003
.0085
.023
.011
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU. 161
Color above cinnamon-brown, below yellow ; sides, from ear to an indefinite
point on the tail, black, inclosing a narrow yellow band from axilla to groin.
Black on scapular region, pale bordered above. From nape to tail a median
series of small black spots. Head brown ; throat yellow.
Tins handsome species differs from the L. stinccides of Spix in the absence of
a band of granular scales on the sides of the neck, and in the keeled scales of the
tail. The coloration is quite distinct. It differs in many specific details from the
Loxopholis rugiceps, Cope,* besides in the quadrate form of the abdominal scuta, in
which that genus differs from Lepidosoma.
From the Maranon.
5. Neusticcrus ecpleopus, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales of the back small and flat, becoming granular on the nape. Mingled
with the former are large oval keeled scales in two separate rather irregular series
near the middle, and a double row of similar ones on each side. The sides are
thrown into vertical folds, which support mingled small and large scales. The
nape and sides of the neck are marked by rows of small round warts, of which
there are eight between the lines of the tympana.
The abdominal scales are in eight longitudinal rows, the median as broad as
long, except at the sides. There is a well-marked collar of seven scales, large in
the middle and small exteriorly. In front of this are four or five cross series of
large scales, all but the posterior composed of two scales only. The throat is
otherwise covered with round, smooth, convex scales. The preanal region is
covered with three rows of scales, the anterior two containing two each, the last
or marginal including two large, and a small median one. The limbs above are
granular, with scattered tubercles ; femur and forearm in front, and tibia below,
with large scuta. Tail, with whorls of oblong scales with two keeled rows above,
which are separated by a few flat scales only.
The head scuta are the usual ones, with the omission of internasals. The
parietals are about as large as the frontoparietals, and are separated by a larger
interparietal, which projects further backwards, forming with the parietals a nearly
rectangular outline, the angle median. Four infraorbitals, five supraoculars. A
loreal and upper preocular, which cover part of canthus rostralis. Temporal
scales granular. Upper labials seven, four to the coronoid process, large, especially
the fourth ; fifth subtriangular. Inferior labials four and five to coronoid, of which
some two are confluent in the typical specimen. A large postsymphyseal ; four
* Proceed. Academy Phila. 1868, 305.
41
162 ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
large infralabials, of which three are in contact with the labials, and two pairs
with each other. Ear as large as eye opening. Femoral pores fifteen on each
side.
Color chocolate-brown above, showing darker spots in proper lights ; below
yellow, brown speckled, except the throat and chin and lips, which are black.
M.
Length (tail partly reproduced) ....... .130
066
033
015
. .005
012
020
030
015
" to vent
" to axilla
" to tympanum
" to orbit .
Width of head behind
Length of fore limb .
" of hind limb .
" of hind foot .
The characters which distinguish this species from the long-known and large
2f. bicarinatus, are the larger gular scuta, the smaller occipital and temporal scales,
the eight (not six) ventral rows, and the fifteen (not thirty) femoral pores.
The characters of the head scuta of this genus are those of the Ecpleopidce ;
while those of Thorictis and Crocodilurus are those of the Teidce.
6. Crocodilurus amazonicus, Spix.
1. Centropyx pelvioeps, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1868, 98.
Nauta.
8. Centropyx decodon, Cope, loc. cit., 1861, 495.
Santarem, Brazil.
9. Centropyx altamazonicus, Cope, sp. nov.
Dorsal scales very small, hexagonal, smooth, but little larger than the lateral.
Ventrals keeled, in sixteen longitudinal rows, and thirty-five transverse to the
line of the femoral pores. Two rows of keeled collar scales, the second largest.
Gular scales small, equal, and smooth. Four rows of carinate preanal scales, the
last composed of six scales.
Internasal scuta barely attaining mutual contact; frontonasal broader than
long ; mutual contact of prefrontals short. Frontal longer than wide, parietals
nearly as wide as interparietal (the specimen young). Two narrow transverse
occipitals. Nostril on suture between internasal and nasal ; one large loreal, one
inferior preocular ; six supraoculars, and three supraorbitals. Scuta on the upper
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
163
M.
• • ■
. .110
a .
. .040
. ,
. .019
, ,
. .010
, .
. .004
. .
. .006
• a
. .029
. .015
and front sides of humerus, and front of cubitus; other faces granular. Femur
and tibia granular above, the former behind also. Inferior tibial scuta keeled.
Caudal scuta keeled below, nearly and quite smooth above.
Color of a young specimen bluish, with a median light band from the middle
of the back to the end of the nose, covering the muzzle and front as far as the
frontoparietal scuta. A light band from orbit to near femur and another from
tympanum to groin, the intervening space crossed by vertical black spots and bars.
Lower surfaces green immaculate.
Total length
Length to vent .
" to axilla
" to ear
" to orbit .
Width of head posteriorly .
Length of hind limb .
" of hind foot .
This species is nearer to the C. calcaratus than to the C. decodon, but differs
from it in the more numerous ventral scales, keeled preanals, less numerous femoral
pores, etc. From Moyabamba, Peru.
10. Diorodon oalliscelis, Cope, sp. nov.
The inner cusp of each tooth smaller than the outer. Nostril in the internasal
plate close to the posterior and inferior suture. Scales of the belly large, trans-
verse, smooth, in eight rows ; those of the back commencing as granulations on
the interscapular region, and gradually increasing in size until they are similar in
size to the large ones which cover the tail in whorls. Like the latter they are
keeled, the keels forming continuous lines. There are thirteen series at the groin,
and eighteen one-third the length behind the axillae. Nuchal scales and those of
the sides of the neck and body granular. Posterior face of humerus, postero-
superior faces of cubitus, superior and posterior faces of femur, and superior face
of tibia granular ; other faces of limbs scutate. Femoral pores eighteen on each
side. Anal scuta in three longitudinal series of alternating rhombic plates. Mar-
gin of neck fold granular ; its middle with five transverse rows of unequal trans-
verse scales.
Internasals and prefrontals in extensive contact ; the frontonasal hexagonal,
longer than broad. Frontal narrow behind, angulate in front, divided transversely
by a suture at the penultimate supraorbital scute. Frontoparietals very small,
164
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
separated by the small interparietal which is in contact with the frontal. Two
small suboval parietals on each side, and ten or twelve large scales surrounding
them behind. Loreal elongate ; labials 5-5. Four supraorbitals, the last two
separated from the frontal by granules. Six large infralabials, the last three
smaller and separated by two plates from the labials ; the anterior pair in contact.
Gular scales small, smooth, a wide band of smaller scales separating them from
those of the collar.
M.
Total length ......
343
Length to vent ......
099
" to axilla ......
040
" to ear ......
022
to orbit
Oil
Width of head behind . . . .
014
Length of hind limb . . . . .
073
" of hind foot . . . . .
037
Color olive above, becoming yellow posteriorly and on the tail; below yellowish-
olive. A dark line bounding the dorsal scales on the side, and a row of small
blackish spots along the middle of the granular lateral band. Femur yellow
behind, with two parallel black bands. Tail with light bluish spots on the sides.
Head, back, and belly unicolor.
This fine and very distinct species was brought by Prof. Orton from Pacasmayo,
on the Pacific coast of northern Peru.
11. Cnemidophorus lemniscatus, Daudin. Dum^ril, Bibron, V. p. 128.
From the Maranon and the Amazonas at Santarem.
12. Cnemidophorus armatulus, sp. nov.
Tongue not furcate behind, but not received into a sheath as in Antiva.
Abdominal scales smooth in eight longitudinal rows ; preanal scuta in three rows
of two each, followed by two small round scuta in longitudinal line, surrounded
by small scales except in front. On each side of these a group of five spur-shaped
scales, with projecting acute apices, in two rows, of which the posterior includes
three. Gular fold bordered with small scales, which are preceded by two cross-
rows of large soutella. Gular region with a few median scutella of the same size
which graduate into those surrounding.
Head rather elongate, frontal not divided ; frontoparietals distinct, longer
than wide. Three supraorbitals, the anterior partly isolated. Parietals and inter-
parietals each longer than wide, surrounded on the sides and behind by one series
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU. 165
of flat scales much larger than those of the nape. The latter, with those of the
back and sides, subequal, flat, subhexagonal, and of small size. Scuta of front
and back of humerus continuous with each other, and nearly so with those of
cubitus, which form two rows, the posterior very wide. Femoral pores twelve.
The fore foot reaches the nostril ; the posterior, the middle of the tympanum.
Color bright olive-green, with yellow muzzle, and a pale dorsal band. There
are three pale lines on the side, from the orbit, ear, and axilla respectively, of
which the middle one is interrupted and separated from the superior by an irregular
black band. Below white, sides blue. Length from end of muzzle to vent, m.
.048.
From the valley of Jequetepeque, Peru.
This species resembles the Amiva hedracantha, Boc, Miss. Scient. Mexique, p.
263, in its preanal spines and other respects. According to M. Bocourt that spe-
cies has but one frontoparietal shield, which is of unusually short proportions, thus
resembling the genus Verticaria, Cope. It also differs from the C. armatulus in
the presence of two preoculars (one in C. armatulus), and in having a single large
median preanal plate.
13. Amiva surinamensis, Gray, Dura. Bibr. Erp. Gen., V. p. 100.
Rioja and Nauta, Peru ; Maranon, and Santarem.
IGUANIA.
14. Scytomycterus l^vis, Cope, gen. et sp. nov. Anolidaruni.
Char. Gen. — General structure as in Anolis, the posterior teeth with three
cusps, the median larger. Rostral plate produced into a flexible appendage.
This form approaches nearest to the Anolis gracilis, in which the end of the
muzzle is slightly protuberant, but is not prolonged into a process. This species
has been erected into a genus by Dr. Gray under the name of Rhinosaurus, with-
out, as it appears to me, sufficient reason. The name is also preoccupied.
Char. Sjiecif. — Scales of the body smooth, of nearly equal size ; those of the
tail larger, the median superior series not different from the others. Scales of the
head large and smooth, only three rows between those of the canthus rostralis at
the middle. The latter are unusually wide, and the median row larger than those
on each side of it. The latter are continued posteriorly into the superciliary
rows, which are large, and in contact along the entire middle line. The middle
row of the muzzle is replaced by two rows in the shallow frontal concavity.
There are four rows between the nostrils. The occipital is large, in contact with
superciliary shields in front, and with flat scales behind. One row of loreal scales,
42
166
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
except at the orbit, where there are two. Postocular and temporal scales equal to
or larger than the dorsal. A series of large infralabials in contact with the labials
throughout. Auricle half the size of the eye-slit. The legs are short ; the fore
foot only reaching to the front of the orbit, and the hind limb falling considerably
short of the axilla. Toe expansions rather narrow. Lateral occipital crests
prominent.
Color above dark gray, below pigmented white (in spirits). The two colors
are abruptly defined between the orbit and the scapula, and there are brown spots
behind the axilla. Tail distantly annulate.
Total length ....
Length to vent ....
" to axilla
" to meatus
" to orbit ....
Width of head behind
Length of fore limb .
of hind "...
" of hind foot
of tibia ....
From between Moyabamba and Balsa Puerto, on the river Huallaga in Eastern
Peru.
Besides its generic characters, this species has larger head scales than the A.
gracilis, where the superciliaries are separated by two series. The legs are shorter.
15. .Anolis transversalis, Duineril, Archives du Museum, 1856, p. 515.
From Nauta.
Mr. O'Shaughnessy has recently (Annals Magaz. Nat. Hist. 1875) regarded
the A. impetigosus, Cope, as identical with the present species. I think that it
will be found on examination of the type specimen now in the British Museum, to
differ from the A. tra?isversalis in its larger abdominal scales, larger and fewer
supraorbitals, less numerous large inferior caudals, and strikingly in the coloration.
A few other determinations of Mr. O'Shaughnessy's paper will require revi-
sion. Thus the specimen in the British Museum labelled Chamaeleolis porcus is
not the species described by me under that name ; the only specimen of it known
to me, is in the museum of the Philadelphia Academy. Anolis argcnteolus and A.
lucius are distinct. The A. chlorocyaneus, of Dum. Bibr., includes two species, as
their description indicates, and as I discovered by an examination of the type
M.
139
« • <
. a
.060
. ,
.
.027
• • *
.
.017
. .
.
.009
.
,
.009
, .
.
. .018
.
.
. .027
.
.
. .012
.
.007
ON THE REPTILIA OP PERU.
167
specimens in the museum of the Jardin des Plantes. One of these is the A cos-
lestinus, Cope; for the other the name A. chlorocyaneus must be retained. Both
A. pentaprion and A. vittigerus are abundantly distinct from the familiar A. bipor-
catus of Mexico ; and A. bitectus and A. ordinatus are, I think, outside the range
of variation of the species to which Mr. O'Shaughnessy refers them, though nearly
allied. Anolis spectrum, Pet., is distinct from A. cyanopleurus, Cope.
16. Anolis ortonii, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philada. 1868, p. 97.
From Nauta. One of the specimens is brilliant golden, with green reflections.
17. Anolis booourtii, Cope, sp. nov.
Allied to the preceding, and to the A. trochilus and A. bransfordii, Cope. The
abdominal scales are small, flat, and smooth ; the dorsals are smaller and thickened,
but not keeled, and the laterals are a little smaller still, and subgranular. They
graduate into the dorsals and ventrals. The tail is slightly compressed, but has
no median keel. The head is elongate, exceeding the length of the tibia ; the
muzzle is longer than it is wide at the anterior margin of the orbits. Occipital
scute small, a little exceeding the auricular meatus, and separated from the super-
ciliaries by numerous flat scales. The superciliary scales separated by two or three
rows of small scales. The facial rugae are very obtuse, and are separated by a
shallow concavity. The latter is floored with smooth scales, which are much
smaller than those of the ruga;, a transverse line crossing eight of them. The
scales of the front of the muzzle are larger, and twelve rows without keels may
be counted between the canthal series. Supraorbitals few, surrounded by granules;
consisting of one hexagonal smooth plate, surrounded, except on the inner side,
by five similar or smaller ones. Seven loreal rows ; labials 8-9 ; infralabials sub-
equal, small, smooth, and in four rows. Auricular meatus half the size of the
eye-slit. Fan large. The fore limb reaches the end of the muzzle, but the hind
limb only reaches the front of the orbit.
M.
Total length
.1350
Length to vent ........
.0450
" to axilla ........
.0200
" to ear .........
. .0110
" to orbit
.0055
Width of head behind .......
.0060
Length of hind limb ........
.0335
" of hind foot ........
. .0145
168
OX THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
Coppery-brown above ; below, light coppery, frequently dusted and speckled
with brown, especially in females.
As compared with A. bransfordii and other allies, the A. bocourtii has a longer
head, fewer and smooth supraorbital scales, and shorter hind legs. It is abundant
at Nauta. I dedicate it to Dr. Bocourt of Paris, whose magnificent work on the
Reptiles of Mexico has added much to our knowledge of the Anolidce.
18. Anolis trachyderma, Cope, sp. nov.
Abdominal scales small, obtusely keeled ; three or four median dorsal series,
nearly as large as the ventrals, flat, keeled, and quickly graduating into the granu-
lar scales of the sides. These, with the scales of neck, throat, and sides of the
head, are angulate or subround so as to produce a shagreened surface. Tail round,
curved with flat keeled scales. Occipital oval, small, nearly equal to ear, separated
by two rows of elongate keeled scales. Facial rugae obsolete, the scales on its
usual position and external to it, larger than those that occupy the frontal con-
cavity, which are narrow, keeled, and in five or six rows, arranged (in the only
specimen) concentrically posterior to a median scale. Twelve rows at the middle of
the muzzle, all flat and carinate. Supraorbitals keeled, arranged in a circle round
two central scales, ten altogether. Six rows at middle of lores. Auricular meatus
one-tbird of eye. Labials 9-11 ; infralabials not distinct from gulars, keeled.
Head oval, as long as tibia ; muzzle longer than wide at front of orbits. The
fore limb reaches the end of the muzzle, but the hind limb only extends to the
middle of the orbits. Fan large.
Color black, above and below, excepting thorax, abdomen, and inferior middle
line of tail, which are fulvous. An indistinct light band across the chin, half way
between eye and nostril.
M.
Length of head and body .........
" to axilla ......
" to ear .......
to orbit
Width of head behind .....
Length of hind limb ......
" of hind foot ......
One female specimen from Nauta.
19. Anolis bombiceps, Cope, sp. nov.
Abdominal scales keeled ; dorsals much smaller, smooth, and a little larger
than the almost granular laterals. Tail subround, with equal scales. The head
.'
.027
.
.019
.
.006
.
.008
.
.045
.
.018
ON THE REPTILIA OP PERU.
169
is short, wide, and convex above, with very large orbits. Its length to ear is less
than that of the tibia, and the length of the muzzle less than the width at the
front of the orbits. Occipital scute subround, larger than tympanum, surrounded
by numerous smaller smooth scales. Superciliaries separated by two rows of small
scuta. Rugae distinct, low, inclosing a concavity containing smaller scales than
the rugal, in four longitudinal rows. Ten rows crossed by a section of the muzzle
at the middle. Supraorbitals seventeen or eighteen, smooth or nearly so. Loreals
six rows ; infralabials scarcely distinct, keeled. Meatus round, equal half diameter
of eye-slit. Fan small. The hind limb reaches beyond the front of the orbit,
and the fore limb to beyond the end of the muzzle.
M.
. .1300
. .0460
. .0230
Total length
Length to vent .
" to axilla .
" to ear
to orbit .
Width of head at jaws
Length of hind limb
" of hind foot
.0118
.0040
.0065
.0400
.0170
General color bright olive, shaded with brown above. A dark band from ear
to shoulder, and vertical blackish bars on the sides. Fan dark % indigo. A longi-
tudinal black band on the former behind. A white spot on each side of the lower
jaw in three specimens.
Four specimens from Nauta.
This species is near the A. trachydermus and A. lemurinus, Cope. From the
former, the very different form of head, the distinct rugal scales of the front,
inclosing larger and smoother scales, with the small smootli dorsal scales distinguish
it. The A. lemurinus resembles it in form, but has larger dorsal scales.
20. Norops duodecimstriatus, Bertliokl ; N. macrodactylus, Hallow.
Two specimens from Santarem, Brazil.
21. Iguana tuberculata, Laur.
22. Entalius laticeps, Guicheuot in Castlenau's Anim. Nouv. cm rare Aimer. Sud, pi.
23. Enyalius coerulescens, Cope, sp. nov.
A dentellated nuchal crest, a vertebral band of linear scales; no caudal crest;
all subround in section. Head wide, the muzzle parabolic, its entire surface includ-
ing the supraorbital region covered with equal, acutely tubercular scales. Three
43
170 OX THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
rows intervene between the superciliary rows ; occipital scarcely distinct. Nostril
pierced in a small round shield ; nearer orbit than end of muzzle. Loreal region
very short, with ten scales on a vertical line. Supraocular scales eighteen, counting
to nostril. Labials 11-11, a short series of distinct, smooth infralabials. Auricu-
lar opening large. Dorsal scales very small, keeled, in transverse rows; abdominal
scales larger, in cross series, interrupted on the middle line, keeled. The hind
leg and wrist extend to front of orbit.
Color black, with numerous indistinct blue cross bands. Limbs, especially the
forearm, and the sides of the neck, dark blue. Lower surfaces white, except throat
and chin, which are blackish-blue.
M.
Total length 185
Length to vent
" to axilla
" to ear
to orbit
.072
.034
.018
.006
Width at anterior angle of orbit .009 ; apparently allied to the E. brasiliensis,
Lesson (Voyage Coquille Reptiles, PI. I., fig. 3), but that species has a dorsal crest
of erect scales.
24. Hyperanodon ochrocollaris, Spix, Dura. Bibr. Erpet. Gen., V.
25. Hyperanodon peltigerus, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales of belly, sides, and back of about equal size, the former keeled, those of
sides and back without median keel, but with a strong mucro (the epidermis is
lost). A crest of processes on the nape which extend on the back to its middle
only as a row of keeled scales. Top of head covered with large scales ; the occi-
pital broader than long, bounded behind by small scales and at the middle on each
side by a small oval parietal. Three scales on the front between the canthus
rostrales, the outer ones the front of the superciliary series, which are partially
united between the orbits. Six scales across the front behind the nostrils. Supra-
orbitals in a single row of four transverse scales, which are bounded by a series
of small ones on the inner border, and from one to two rows on the outer margin.
Rostral narrow, horizontal ; four upper, five lower labials. Symphyseal deeper than
wide, truncate behind ; one anterior infralabial larger than the rest, smooth. Scales
of the limbs smooth, except a few with obsolete keels on the upper side of the
humerus and of the femur. Cervical dermal fold strong, extending to a point
above the humerus. Tympanum large; nostril in a single plate, which is sepa-
rated from the rostral and superior labial by a single row of scales. When the
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
171
limbs are extended, the wrist reaches nearly to the end of the muzzle, and the
longer toe to the posterior border of the orbits.
Color dark yellowish-brown above, light brown below. Nine dark cross bands
on back between scapulae and rump. A black spot in front of the scapula, with
a pale shade above it. Head plates brown, with blue - inflections. Tail annulate
with brown.
Total length
Length to vent •
" to axilla
" to orbit .
Width of head behind
Length pf hind limb .
" of hind foot .
M.
.275
.087
.037
.008
.019
.067
.028
This species differs materially from the last in its larger head-scuta, especially
the supraorbitals, and smooth abdominal scales.
26. Doryphorus flaviceps, Guichenot in Castlenau's Voyage in Ara<?r. Meridionale.
27. Hypsibates agamoides, Wiegmann, Dum. Bibr.
From Moyabamba, Peru.
28. Microlophus heterolepis, Wiegmann ; Tropidurus heterolepis, Wiegm. Nova Acta Caes.
Leopold. Nat. Cur., xvii. p. 223, tab. 16.
Scales granular, a series forming a low crest from the nape to the end of the
tail. No femoral nor anal pores. Tail compressed. Head with a broad inter-
parietal shield, and large supraorbitals. Ear distinct ; nostril above canthus
rostralis. Two prehumeral folds, which nearly meet in the middle.
Abdominal scales much larger than the others, smooth, in transverse rows ;
those of the tail of equal size, half keeled. Nine smooth scales in a line aci-oss
the middle of the muzzle. Nostrils subvertical in one plate, which is separated
from the rostral by one scale, from its mate and from the labials by two scales.
Superciliary rows in contact ; interparietal broader than long. Five transverse
smooth supraorbital scuta bordered within by one, and without by iwo rows of
small scales, with a few of intermediate size between them and the latter. One
very long suborbital ; eyelids fringed with narrowly conic scales. Four loreal
rows. Labial scales 7-7 to the coronoid elevation of the lower jaw, very narrow;
the rostral broad, angulate above. Three large smooth infralabials separated from
the inferior labials by small scales. Some weak dermal folds on the side of the
112
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
neck, and two similar to them along each side,
each shoulder.
Total length (tail reproduced at end)
Length to vent .
" to axilla
" to meatus of ear
Width of head behind
Length of hind limb .
" of hind foot .
A strong vertical fold in front of
M.
.175
.070
.032
.015
.013
.047
.021
The ear is partially closed in front by a narrow flap of skin, which supports
several flat, acuminate, dermal denticles, of which two are most prominent. The
limbs are rather short, the fore limb reaching the end of the muzzle, Ihe hind limb
not quite reaching the ear.
Color above light grayish-brown, with about eleven transverse series of small
brown spots. Back also Avith distant yellow speckles ; head light and dark brown
speckled. Under surfaces yellowish-white, except the thoracic amfugular regions,
which are black.
29. Microlophus inguinalis, sp. nov. ; Microlophus lessonii, Var. Dum. Bibron, Erp. Gen., iv.
p. 341.
Dorsal scales small, flat, a median larger row, scarcely elevated on the nape
and tail, flat on the back. Two lateral folds from tympanum to groin ; a prehu-
meral fold nearly meeting its mate on the thorax ; a series of four or five denticu-
lations in front of the ear. Parietal shield large, broader than long, Two rows
of frontals (superciliaries), which unite on top of the muzzle in a circular rosette
of seven smooth shields inclosing a small one in the centre. Four rows of scales
between the nasal plates. One row of large, and one or two rows of small loreal
scales. Four or five rows of infralabials, the gulars abruptly distinguished from
them, and considerably smaller. The end of the external digit of the fore limb
reaches the end of the muzzle, and the longest h
Length (tail entire)
" to vent .
" to axilla
" to ear
" to orbit .
Width of the head behind
nder toe reaches the nostril.
M.
.151
.057
.025
.013
.005
.011
OX THE REPTILIA OF PERU. 173
Emerald-green above, white below ; a lateral black band which incloses at the
groin a large longitudinal yellow spot. Limbs faintly yellow spotted. Throat
with blue chevrons from the lips.
This species agrees with the M. heterolepis in many respects, although very
distinct in coloration. It differs in squamation in the fewer loreals and move
numerous muzzle scales. In M. heterolepis, the gular scales are scarcely smaller
than the labials, and graduate regularly into them.
Valley of Jequetepeque, Peru.
30. Microlophus peruvianas, Less. ; M. lessonii, Dum. Bibr.
In this species there are four rows of scales between the nasal scales, and the
infralabials and gulars are distinguished abruptly. It differs from the other spe-
cies here described in the form of the pai'ietal, which is longer than broad, as
represented by Lesson (Voyage of the Coquille).
31. Craniopeltis occipitalis, Bocourt; Aneuporus occipitalis, Bocourt; Mission Scientifique
de Mexique, p. 215.
One specimen from Jequetepeque differs in coloration from that described by
M. Bocourt, but not otherwise. It has a broad, brown dorsal band, which is
crossed at rather remote intervals by deep brown, narrow cross-bars. Lower
surfaces uniform white. Aneuporus, Boc, must yield to the prior Craiiiopeltis,
Pet.
32. Proctotretus multiformis, Cope, sp. nov.
Nostrils entirely above the can thus rostralis, laterosuperior in direction. Ex-
ternal meatus of ear much larger than eye opening, its anterior border simple.
Frontal plate subdivided, the middle portion not divided lengthwise. Three flat
scales on front between canthus rostrales ; interparietal small, in contact with
superciliaries, and two occipitals of equal size behind it. Four entire, and one
divided transverse supraorbitals. Labials f ; four or five large infralabials, sepa-
rated from labials by one row of scales in front and two behind. An irregular
dermal fold extending posterior to the ear. Scales of side of neck, and scapular
and axillary regions, granular. Those of back and sides of body rather small,
flat, the dorsals weakly keeled, with smooth ones intermixed, the laterals nicked.
Those of the lower surfaces a little larger, not notched. Scales of femur behind,
small, flat, of lower side] of humerus, granular ; other scales of limbs like the
dorsal, on the tibia, keeled. The fore foot reaches the nostril, and the hind foot
the axilla. The dimensions of the largest specimen (var. 1) are as follows: —
44
m
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
M.
Total length .
.
.
.190
Length to vent .
. .
• •
.093
" to axilla
■
•
.039
" to ear
• •
• • •
.023
" to orbit .
. . .
• • <
.008
" of hind limb .
. .
•
.052
" of hind foot .
.
• ,
.023
Width of head behind
.
.021
This species varies considerably in coloration, presenting the following varie-
ties : —
I. Bright green, paler posteriorly, with two rows of large transverse black
bars with irregular edges. Head brown above, pale speckled, lower surfaces olive.
One specimen.
II. Olive-brown above, with faint darker cross-bands, pale bordered behind ;
sides and below blue to whitish ; three specimens.
III. Light brown with a row of black spots on each side, divided by a longi-
tudinal pale band. Below yellowish, marbled with bluish; one specimen.
All the specimens are from the elevated Lake of Titicaca, Peru.
NYCTISAURA.
33. Phyllodactyltjs in^qualis, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales of back and sides subequal, the former of unequal sizes, but without
elevated or keeled tubercles. Ventral scales larger, subround, smooth ; those
bordering the vent in front smaller. Muzzle with convex scales larger than those
on the occiput. Labials to below the pupil, six above ; below five, followed by
three others ; the inferior first three are the larger. Mental scutum longer than
wide, angulate behind, with an oval scute on each side of the angle, which meet
by an angle each on the middle line. Behind these are round scales from which
others graduate into the granules of the throat. Meatus auditorius a very small
slit. Eye contained nearly twice in length of muzzle. The fore limbs extended
reach the front of the orbit ; the hind limbs extend to the appressed elbow.
Scales of the normal tail square, and flat above; rounded and a little larger below.
Above yellowish, with seven blackish cross-bands from nape to groin, some-
what connected by oblique and longitudinal lines on the sides. A dark band from
nostril through eye to shoulder. Limbs and tail cross-banded. Head with a
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
175
coarse, blackish reticulation above,
color, immaculate.
Length to vent
" to axilla
" to ear .
" to orbit
" of hind limb
" of hind foot .
Width of head behind
A brown spot on each labial. Below straw-
M.
.0380
.0180
.0100
.0045
.0070
.0170
.0060
This species belongs to the section called by Gray Diplodactylus. From Pacas-
mayo.
34. Phyllodactylus microphallus, sp. nov.
Small scales of the back and sides with larger ones scattered irregularly among
them ; these are not very much larger, not keeled, but smoothly convex, and a
little smaller than the smooth, flat belly scales. Gular scales granular ; labials to
pupil i. Mental large, convex behind, bounded by four round scales of small
size. Scales of top of muzzle twice as large as those of vertex. Tail scales uni-
form. Transverse scales of inferior side of the digits rather short; large plates of
the end of the toes remarkably small, permitting the ungual phalange to project
very freely. A row of prominent scales behind the thighs on each side of the
base of the tail. Color very pale, with a few very indistinct transverse shades ; in
the young these shades are cross
Total length
Length to vent .
" to axilla
" to ear
" to eye
Width of the head behind
Length of hind limb
" of hind foot .
bars.
M.
.101
.048
.022
.012
.005
.010
.020
.008
From the valley of Jequetepeque, Peru.
This species is intermediate between the last described, P. inaqualis, and such
species as the P. reissii in the character of the squamation. In the small size of
its distal lamina? of the digits, it differs from all the other species, and approaches
the Australian genus Stenodactylopsis of Steindachner.
176 OX THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
35. Phyllodactyltjs keissii, Peters, Monatsber. Berlin Academy, 1862, p. 626.
From the valley of Jequetepeque.
36. Thecadactylus rapicauda, Houttyn.
37. GOXIODACTYLUS.
AMPHISB.ENIA.
38. Amphisb^na occidentalis, Cope, sp. nov.
Nasal, frontonasal, and parietal scuta in mutual contact in pairs, the last pair
forming a half disk. Nasal not reaching lip ; rostral protuberant, little visible
from above, triangular in outline. Labials four above, three below; first superior
longer than high, second higher than long, fourth very small. First labial twice
as deep as long, second largest, longer than deep. Symphyseal narrowed and
truncate behind, and bordered by a longitudinally oval plate, which also bounds
the first and second labials below. A crescentic row of seven scuta bound the
posterior borders of this and the labials, the median being the smallest. Ocular
plate small, subquadrate, followed by four scales bordering each parietal to the
median suture. Preaual scuta six, pores four, caudal annuli nineteen. Eye in-
visible.
Above, numerous scales dark-lead colored, interrupted by colorless ones.
Below, white.
M.
Total length .......... .285
Length to rictus oris ......... .006
« of tail 023
Common in the valley of Jequetepeque. Allied to the A. vermicularis and A.
darwinii of Dumeril and Bibron. The former differs, among other points, in the
possession of eight temporal scuta on each side ; the latter has occipital scales,
and only three superior labials.
39. Amphisb^ena fultginosa, Linn.
40. Typhlops reticulatus, Linn.
From the Maranon.
OPHIDIA.
SCOLECOPHIDIA.
TORTRICINA.
41. Tortrix 8CYTALE, Linn.
From the Maranon and Solimoens.
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU. 171
ASIXEA.
42. EtJNECTES MURINUS, L.
From the Amazon.
43. Boa constrictor, L.
From the Solimoens.
44. XlPHOSOMA HORTULANUM, Lin.
From Iquitos on the upper Maranon.
45. Leptognathus catesbyi, Wieg.
From Rioja, Peru, the Maranon, Iquitos upper Maranon.
46. Rhinobothryuji lentiginosis:, Scopoli.
47. Dipsas cenchoa, L.
Iquitos.
48. Sibon annulatum, L.
From the Solimoens.
49. Gerrhosteus prosopis, Cope, Proceed. Acad. Philada. 1874, p. 71.
From Nauta, Peru.
50. Scytale coronatum, Linn.
51. Oxyrrhopus fitzingerii, Tschudi, Fauna Peruana Reptiles, p. 56.
Valley of Jequetepeque.
52. Oxyrrhopus petolarius. Subsp. petolarius, L.
53. Dryophis argentea, Daud.
54. Leptophis marginatus, Cope : Tlirasops marginatus, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philadn.
1862, p. 349; Ahsetulla nigromarginata, Giinther, Ann. Magazine Nat. History, 1866.
55. Leptophis ortonii, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales smooth, in fifteen series. Head rather short, muzzle equal or shorter
than width between eyes. No loreal plate ; postnasal about as large as prcnasal
plate ; preoculars scarcely reaching frontal. Two postoculars. Temporals large,
1-2, followed by smaller scales. Superior labials nine, fifth, and sixth only
bounding orbit. Seven lower labials in contact with geneials. Tail very long,
two-fifths of the total. Gastrosteges not angulate, three times as wide as long.
M.
Total length (No. 1) 965
Length of tail (No. 1) 390
Total length (No. 2) 950
Length of tail (No. 2) 400
45
178 ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
Color above blue, a coppery golden spot within the apex of many of the
scales, which extends on those of the external two rows, so as to cover the scale
except at its base. Gastrosteges coppery-golden, the front margin sea-green. The
blue scales have a black tip, and often a narrow border ; the head is uniform green,
except the yellow lips and a narrow black line along the upper margin of the
posterior labials.
This splendid species is nearly allied to the T. marginatus, Cope, having the
same short head and nasal scuta. It differs in its smooth scales, and in the colora-
tion, for in that species the golden is entirely wanting, and the head scuta as well
as the scales are broadly black bordered. The T. marginatus in addition has the
gastrosteges strongly angulate and recurved on the sides, and only twice as wide
as long.
Of my two specimens of T. marginatus, one has eight superior labials, as in
the type, the other nine, on both sides. Their measurements are as follows :—
M.
Total length (No. 1) 1-190
Length of tail (No. 2) 460
Total length (No. 1) 1.155
Length of tail (No. 2) 450
The Leptophis ortonii was discovered by Professor James Orton on the Soli-
moens or middle Amazon, and I take great pleasure in dedicating it to him as a
token of esteem.
56. Philodryas viridissimus, Linn.
From between Moyabamba and Balsa Puerto, Peru.
57. Herpetodryas holochlorus, Cope, sp. nov.
Scales in ten longitudinal series, all wide, especially those of the first, which
are as deep as long. The scales of the two vertebral rows are also wide, and all
are smooth. The head is of normal form and size, with vertical lores, and eyes of
moderate size. The rostral is as broad as high, the loreal a very little longer than
high, and the preocular not reaching the frontal. Two postoculars, temporals
1-1 ; three scales only bordering the two parietals, whose posterior outline is
strongly notched. The common suture of the parietals is shorter than the frontal
and the superciliary. The frontal is narrowed behind, and the width in front less
than the lateral sutures. Labials nine above, all rather low, fifth and sixth, and
sometimes a corner of the fourth, entering the orbit ; eleven inferior labials, of
which seven are in contact with the geneials.
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU. 179
M.
Total length (No. 1) 680
Length of tail (No. 1) 220
Total length (No. 2) 685
Length of tail (No. 2) 220
Anal plate entire in five specimens.
Color uniform green, pale on the lips and throat. In a young specimen (.340
m.) there are slightly black edged scales in small patches on each side of a pale
vertebral band.
As compared with the H. fuscus, this species has a smaller eye at all ages, and
a stouter form, including shorter tail. It bears the same relation to the form
called Dendrophis viridis, by Dumeril and Bibron.
From the Maranon. (No. 39.)
58. Herpetodryas carinatus, Linn.
From the lower Amazon.
59. Herpetodryas fusous, Linn.
Two from Iquitos ; one from the Solimoens, etc.
60. Drymobius heathii, sp. nov.
Scales elongate, biporous, smooth, in seventeen longitudinal rows. Form
slender, head narrow ; the frontal shield with concave sides, much narrower
behind than before, and one-fourth longer than the muzzle anterior to it. Parie-
tals long. Postnasal higher and shorter than prenasal. Loreal long and low,
lowest behind. One preocular not reaching frontal, two postoculars ; temporals
2-2, long and narrow. Superior labials nine, fourth, fifth, and sixth, entering
orbit ; inferior labials ten, six in contact with geneials. Pregenials only half as
long as postgenials. Gastrosteges 188; anal divided; urosteges 116. Muzzle
shorter than interorbital, width by nearly the diameter of the eye.
General color olivaceous-ashen ; a broad, brown, dorsal band, which is darker
edged, extends to the tail, involving five rows of scales. A brown band on each
side involves the first, second, and third rows of scales, which are blackish tipped.
Lips and below lighter, unspotted ; a dark band from nostril through eye to last
labial shield.
M.
Total length 780
Length of tail 240
" to rictus oris . . . . . . . . . .019
180 ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
This whip-snake is allied to the Drymobius boddartii, especially to the pale-
banded variety. It is a more slender species, with narrower head plates, espe-
cially the frontal and loreal.
Obtained in the valley of Jeqnetepeque, Pern, by Doctor Edwin E. Heath, to
whom I take great pleasure in dedicating the species, as a testimony to his dis-
interested zeal in advancing natural history.
Gl. Drymobius boddjErtii, Seetz.
From the lower Amazon.
G2. Spilotes piceus, Cope, Proceedings Academy Philada. 18G8, 105.
From the Maranon. Adult and young, the latter with narrow white cross-
bands, as in the species of Drymobius.
63. Spilotes pullatus, Linn.
64. Xenodon colubrinus, Gthr., Catalogue B. M. p. 55.
65. Tachymenis chilensis, Schleg. Giinther, Catal. p. 34.
From Lake Titicaca.
66. Opheomorphus merremmii, Wied.
67. Lygophis pcecilostomus, sp. nov.
Scales in nineteen rows, poreless; anal plate divided, dentition diacranterian.
Frontal shield with concave sides, nearly as wide behind as before, twice as long
as wide, its length one-half greater than that of the muzzle in front of it. Ros-
tral little visible from above ; postnasal higher than prenasal ; loreal oblique,
higher than long. Oculars 1-2, the preocular scarcely reaching frontal ; temporals
1-2. Superior labials eight (nine on one side), fourth and fifth in orbit. Inferior
labials nine, six in contact with geneials. Postgeneials the longer. Gastrosteges
206 ; urosteges 89.
Color above ashen-brown, with a series of short, dark, brown cross-bands,
extending across seven or eight scales, and separated by two rows of scales. These
break and alternate on the middle of the length, and then form a serrate band,
which is on the tail a uniform longitudinal band. Lips and chin spotted with
brown ; belly ashey.
Valley of Jequetepeque.
This snake is somewhat like the Liophis chamissonis, but belongs to another
genus.
68. Liophis reginjs, Linn.
69. Liophis almadensis, Wagler.
From the Solimoens.
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU. 181
TO. Liophis temminckii, Schleg. ; Tseniophis tantillus, Girard.
71. Liophis pygm^eus, Cope, Proceed. Academy Phila. 1868, p. 103.
72. Tantilla capistrata, sp. nov.
Ocular plates 1-1 ; labials seven above, the seventh the largest, the third and
fourth bounding the orbit. The postnasal smaller than the prenasal, well sepa-
rated from the short preocular by the prefontal, which touches the second labial.
Rostral not very prominent ; frontal wide, much shorter than the large parietals.
Temporals 1-1, long and narrow. First pair of inferior labials in contact, post-
geneials short. Scales of body in fifteen series. Gastrosteges 139; anal divided ;
urosteges 71.
All the scales above the second row are brown-bordered ; below this row white.
Head above black, except the muzzle, which is white to the line of the preocular
plate ; a large labial spot behind the eye, and the hinder border of the parietals.
A black half collar connected with the black crown by a longitudinal bar.
Total length .136; of tail .035; to rictus oris .005.
Valley of Jequetepeque, Peru.
73. Tantilla melanocephala, Schl.
74. Helicops polylepis, Gthr., Ann. Magaz. Nat. Hist.
The Solimoens.
75. Helicops angulatus, Linn.
From Iquitos on the Maranon.
76. Rhabdosoma poippigii, Jan. Arch., p. Zoologia Modena II. 1862, 11.
77. Rhabdosoma badium, Dum. Bibr.
From the Solimoens. Several color varieties.
PROTEROGLYPHA.
78. Elaps narduccii, Jan.
79. Elaps imperator, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1868, p. 110.
A strongly marked subspecies, characterized by the continuation of the black
rings entirely round the body, and of the black color which replaces the red rings
to the gastrosteges. Also by the almost entire black color of the head, and the
dusky shade of the lighter parts of the lower surfaces.
From the Solimoens.
46
182 OX THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
80. Elaps circinalis, Dum. Bibron.
Four specimens from the valley of Jequetepeque. Of these, one has thirty-
one black rings on the body ; two have twenty-nine, and one has twenty-eight.
All have the head black as far as the end of the parietals ; the temporal scuta
being included in the yellow neck band. Of five specimens from Eastern Costa
Rica brought by Mr. Gabb, two have a similar coloration of the head, and in three
the yellow collar crosses the occipitals. One has twenty-two black rings on the
body, two have thirteen, and two eleven.
81. Elaps tschudii, Jan. Revue et Magazine de Zoologie 1859; Prodrome d'un Iconographie,
etc., p. 13.
Numerous specimens from the valley of Jequetepeque are very constant in
coloration. One of the most beautiful Elapes.
82. Elaps isozonus, Cope, Proceed. Academy Philada. 1800, p. 73-4.
83. Elaps lemnisoatus, Linn.
Iquitos on the Maranon.
84. Elaps surinamensis, Cuv.
The scales of the red intervals tipped with black. Two specimens from Iquitos
on the Maranon.
SOLENOGLYPHA.
85. Bothrops brasiliensis, Latreille.
The Maranon near the mouth of the Napo.
86. Bothrops microphthalmos, Cope, sp. nov.
The maxillary fossette bounded in front by small scales, and below by two
narrow scales. The superior labials number seven, of which the first two are
small, and the third the largest, equalling the sixth ; the fourth and fifth are
shorter, and as high as long. The seventh is as long as the sixth, but lower. The
fourth labial immediately under the pupil of the eye, and separated from it by two
scales. Large and slightly keeled scales bound the labials above behind the eye.
Nasals distinct, each higher than long, separated from the eye by a long preocular
and a smaller loreal. Rostral plate rectangular, one-fourth higher than wide at
the middle. Muzzle short, canthus rostralis bordered above by two scuta, and a
scale next the superciliary plate, the scuta remarkably wide, the posterior pair
separated by three large smooth scales on the summit of the muzzle. Superciliary
shields three-fifths as wide as long, separated at the middle by two smooth scuta ;
ON THE REPTILIA OF PERU.
183
behind by five wide smooth scales. Scales of the top of the head smaller, sub-
hexagonal, and smooth. Inferior labials ten, all wider than long. Scales of the
body not elongate, in twenty-three longitudinal rows, the lower one or two rows
smooth, the remainder keeled, but differently from what is observed in other spe-
cies. Thus the keels do not reach the extremity of the scale, but terminate in an
enlargement, which, on the posterior parts of the body, is a prominent tubercle.
Gastrosteges 159 ; anal entire; urosteges 52.
Color above yellowish-brown, anteriorly uniform, and marked on the posterior
two-thirds of the body with brown triangles on the sides, whose apices meet or
approach on the middle line above. The interior at the base of the triangle is
occupied by the ground color, which increases in extent anteriorly, so as to reduce
the triangles to skeletons, and then obliterate them. Posteriorly the united tri-
angles form cross-bands, which become united lengthwise on the tail, and finally
confluent so as to form a uniform black. Head yellowish-brown above, yellow
below, a yellow band extending from the eye to the side of the neck, which is
bounded all the way by a brown band below. Belly yellow anteriorly, shaded
increasingly with black to the end of the tail, a dark brown spot on the end of
every second gastrostege on each side.
M.
.885
.125
.038
.013
Length
Length of tail
" of rictus oris .
" to eye .
Width between eyes .
Diameter of eye (greatest)
.017
.005
From between Balsa Puerto and Moyabamba, Peru.
This pit-viper is evidently a dangerous species, judging from the large size of
its venom glands and length of its fangs. Associated with the development of
the former, is the very small size of the eye, which is almost closed by the pro-
tuberant cheeks. The species is allied to the B. diporus, Cope, and B. neuvidii,
Wagl. It differs, among other respects, in the smooth scales of the vertex, large
in front and small behind.
Art. VIII. — Note on the Ichthyology of Lake Titicaca.
By E. D. Cope.
The waters of the elevated plateaus of the Andes have been found to be the
habitat of several peculiar genera of fishes, mostly belonging to the Siluridce and
the Cyprinodontidce. Of the latter family two genera are now known, Protistius,*
Cope, with one species from the Peruvian Andes, and Orestias (Cuvier and Valen-
ciennes), of which six species have been described from the Lake Titicaca in the
Bolivian plateau. Prof. James Orton, in his recent exploration of that region,
procured specimens of four species of this genus from the Lake. On examination
of these I find, unexpectedly to myself, that three of the species are new to science,
and accordingly append descriptions of them. They are all in fine condition, and
apparently adult.
1. Orestias pentlandii, Cuv. Val., Vol. XVIII, p. 221.
2. Orestias bairdii, Cope, sp. nov.
Established on a specimen eight and three-quarter inches long. Radii P. 17;
D. 12; A. 16. Scales of the lateral line, counting from the line of the preoper-
culum, fifty. Scales larger above the operculum and rugose in that region, else-
where smooth. Operculum about half covered with rugose scales ; the lower limb
of the preoperculum half as long again as the posterior, the scales small, rugose,
and extending its entire length, leaving a naked band below the orbit. A few
small, rough scales on the preorbital bone. Preorbital bone subquadrate, as long
as high. Mouth directed vertically upwards. Top of the head entirely naked.
A band of large rugose scales on the nape, with a naked space on each side of it.
The diameter of the eye is equal to the length of the muzzle, and enters the
side of the head five times. The outline of the back and head is continuous and
horizontal, the front flat, and over twice the long diameter of the eye. The head
enters the length, minus the caudal fin, four and a quarter times, and the depth
enters the same four and a half times. The depth of the head enters its length
1£ times. The dorsal fin is further from the anal than the length of its base, and
the margin of the caudal fin is openly concave.
This species is evidently nearest to the O. cuvieri of Valenciennes ; it has a
* Proceedings Academy Philada. 1814, p. 66.
47 (185)
186
ON THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF LAKE TITICACA.
more elongated body and shorter fin bases. The head, according to Giinther, is
one-third the length in that fish, and the. radii are A. 14-16 ; D. 18-19. It is
dedicated to Professor Spencer F. Baird, the assistant secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution, the alma muter of many naturalists of the present and coming gene-
rations.
3. Oeestias oktonii, Cope, sp. nov.
Radii of the fins, P. 18; D. 16; A. 16. Dorsal outline gently arched to
interorbital region, muzzle horizontal, narrowed, the mouth directed vertically
upwards. Length of head one-fourth the total, minus the caudal fin, the greatest
depth entering the same three and one-third times. Eye four and a half times in
the length of the head, and twice in the interorbital width. Lower limb of preo-
percle three-fourths as long as the posterior. Scales of lateral line, beginning
above anterior part of operculum, thirty-two. On the anterior part of the body
they are thickened and enlarged, there being but eight rows from the base of
superior ray of pectoral fin to the median nuchal row. They extend forwards to
between the eyes, and cover the entire operculum, preoperculum, and suborbital
bones. All are entirely smooth. The dorsal fin is further from the caudal than
the length of its base. Preorbital bone deeper than long.
M.
Total length 162
.133
Length to basis caudal fin
" to basis anal fin
" to operculum .
" to preoperculum
to orbit .
Depth of head at orbit
.082
.033
.022
.008
.026
Color silvery, the enlarged scales of the anterior part of the body green; head
above black, sides yellow.
This species appears to be most nearly allied to the Orestias owenii, Cuv. Val.,
in the proportions of the head to the body, but the head is of a different form.
Giinther states that the head of O. owenii is "nearly three-fourths as long as high;"
in O. ortonii it is two- thirds. as high as long. The caudal peduncle is longer in
O. ortonii, and the fin-rays of O. owenii are stated to be D. 14-5 ; A. 13-6. In
O.jussicei the body is shorter by one length of the head, and the radii are D. 14 ;
A. 15.
This species is dedicated to Professor James Orton, of Vassar College, the
indefatigable explorer of the Peruvian Andes.
ON THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF LAKE TITICACA.
187
:
4. Orestias frontosus, Cope, sp. nov.
Fin radii D. 14-15 ; A. 15. Scales of lateral line (commencing above preoper-
culum), thirty-six. Dorsal region little arched, frontal region protuberant and
convex in both longitudinal and transverse section, the profile then descending
steeply to the upper lip. Mouth nearly vertical, eye four times in length of head
of specimens eight inches long. The depth of the head at the posterior border of
the orbits is exactly equal to the length, and its length is contained in the total
(without caudal fin), four times in one, and three and three-quarter times in
another specimen. The preorbital bone is higher than long, and the inferior
border of the preoperculum is two-thirds the length of the posterior. Large,
thickened, and smooth scales cover the anterior part of the body, and the oper-
culum, preoperculum, and suborbital bones, and advance on the front to between
the orbits. The depth of the body enters the length three and one-third times.
Tail even or slightly convex.
M.
0.190
.103
Total length
•Length to basis of anal fin
" of head .
" to orbit .
Interorbital width (axial)
.038
.010
.016
/
This Orestias is generally black, the belly having a pale yellowish color.
Its affinities are to the O. ortonii, but the difference in the form of the head is
very striking. Dr. Gtinther describes the head of the O. owenii as deeper than
long, and the posterior border of the preoperculum as equal to the lower, charac-
ters not possessed by the O. frontosus.
Two specimens were obtained by Prof. Orton, who states that they are called
by the inhabitants " Caracha," while the O. bairdii and O. pentlandii are known as
" Boga," and adds that all are excellent table fishes.
EXPLANATION OF PLATES.
PLATE I.
Batrachia, natural size.
Fig. 1. Cranopsis fastidiosus ; la, mouth.
2. Crepidius epioticus; 2a, mouth.
3. Ollotis ccerulescens ; 3a, mouth.
4. Bufo auritus.
5. Bufo coccifer.
6. Dendrobates talamancse.
7. Hyla nigripes.
8. Phyllobates hylseformis ; 8a, mouth.
9. Lithodytes podiciferus.
10. Lithodytes melanostictus ; 10a, mouth.
11. Lithodytes megacephalus ; 11a, mouth.
12. Trypheropsis chrysoprasinus ; 12a, mouth.
PLATE II.
Fig. 1. Anolis insignis.
2. " microtus.
3. " pachypus.
4. " oxylophus.
5. Chalcidolep>is metallicus.
PLATE III.
Fig. 1. Basiliscus plumifrons, natural size; la, head from above.
2. Basiliscus mitratus; heart from above, natural size.
PLATE IV.
Fig. 1. Dendrophidium melanotropis.
2. DryopJiis brevirostris.
3. Hyla elssoch?-oa; 3a, mouth.
4. Eylodes cerasinus; 3a, mouth.
PLATE V.
Fig. 1. Leptnqnathus argus ; natural size.
2. Telearaspis schlegelii; natural size.
3. Bothi-iopsis proboscideus ; natural size.
4. Hyla uranochroa ; natural size.
PLATE VI.
Heads of Lacertilia and Ophidia, natural size.
Fig. 1. Mabuia alliacea, from above.
2. Chalcidolepis metallicus ; a, above ; 6, below.
3. Amiva gabbiana; a, above ; 6, below.
4. Anolis trochilus, above.
5. Anolis oxylophus, above.
6. Xiphosoma annulatum: in this and the following figures, the superior view is marked a,
the lateral b.
7. Leptognathus argus (a).
8. Leptognathus pictiventris (a and b).
9. Leptophis seruginosus (a and b).
10. Leptophis saturatus (a and b).
11. Spilotes chrysobronchus (a and 6).
12. Contia calligaster (a and 6).
13. Bothriopsis proboscideus (a).
Pcblished Nov. 26, 1875.
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