U5 HARVARD UNIVERSITY Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology AT HARVARD COLLEGE Vol. LXXXVII, No. 1 REVISION OF THE AFRICAN SNAKES OF THE GENERA DROMOPHIS AND PSAMMOPHIS By Arthur Loveridge CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U. S. A. PRINTED FOR THE MUSEUM October, 1940 Revision of the African Snakes of the Genera Dromophis and Psammophis By Arthur Loveridge Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass. During the past forty -five years, numerous authors have commented on the urgent need for revision of the African members of the genus Psammophis. Nevertheless the task has not been undertaken, partly on account of the large number of alleged species to be dealt with, but chiefly because of the formidable extent of the bibliography to be examined. References to the genus have been found in 470 books and papers cited in this paper and the involved synonymy straightened out to the best of my ability. Even though a quarter of the present contribution is devoted to such synonymy, it appears worth while to publish the result, for it. covers nearly half-a-century in which confusion of racial characters has led to the repeated recording of forms and species in regional check lists for areas remote from their true range. Take for example the name sibilans which has, at one time or another, been applied to 11 of the 21 species recognized in the two genera. The citations for sibilans (sensu strictu) alone number over 250. Every reference has been looked up and the resultant data, after careful scrutiny, embodied in this paper, which, in effect, purports to be a digest of our knowledge of each species up to the end of 1939. All the material in the Field Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Comparative Zoology has been studied. The latter collec- tion contains fifteen of the eighteen forms of Psammophis recognized. As a result I have been enabled to extend the range of variation and recast the descriptions furnished by the late Dr. G. A. Boulenger in his monumental "Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum" (1896d, 3, pp. 155-171). Unfortunately two of the key characters employed by that author have subsequently proved to be so variable as to possess only a relative value, I refer to the breadth of a rostral in relation to its height, and the width of the frontal in relation to that of a supraocular. This study has brought to light several interesting facts, chief among which appears to be that members of the genus Psammophis which have suffered mutilation of the tail, have the ability to regenerate a terminal point on the truncated tip! ^Yhen the amputated portion was not very great, or the injury occurred early in life, the loss is not 4 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology obvious; indeed many workers, including myself (1929h, p. 32), have assumed, or stated, that tails were intact, which, in reality, were not so. As a result, the range in number of subcaudals has from time to time been augmented by the inclusion of counts from specimens ex- hibiting a terminal point which, however, may have lost many sub- caudals. It transpires that the sum total variation in ventral counts of both sexes of a given species or race, is in a fairly definite ratio to the sum total variation of subcaudals in the same species or race. This will be appreciated best by reference to, and comparison of, columns 1 and 2 of Table II. Where the subcaudal range was greatly in excess of the ventral range, reference to the specimens furnishing the lowest sub- caudal counts almost invariably revealed injured tails with regenerated tips. In this way many errors have been eliminated. It also became obvious that a range of from 20 to 25 appeared normal, but that forms like schokari and sibilans (sensu strictu) which enjoy an extensive distribution, have a much greater range of ventral counts than forms occupying a more restricted area. In the case of schokari it seems possible that further division of the form will be recognised as its range is from Mauretania, in West Africa, to Afghan- istan and Sind. No Asiatic material being available to me I have left this question untouched. In the case of sibilans sibilans, ranging from Egypt to Natal, a definite reduction in the subcaudal count from north to south is observable, this is of such a gradual nature, however, that recognition of brcvirostris as a southern race appears unreasonable. The latter was referred to the synonymy of the former by Hewitt in 1912. In this con- nection it might be remarked that the character of a frontal being narrower or equal to the breadth of a supraocular has little significance in those forms where a large series of snakes have been available for study. This is shown in Table II, column 8. The problem which caused me to undertake this revision at the present time, still remains in an unsatisfactory state. I refer to the question of how best to distinguish typical P. s. sibilans in East Africa from the snake which almost everyone has been calling sub- taeniatus. True subtaeniatus, however, occurring south of the Zambesi is readily distinguishable from its yellow and stripe-bellied counterpart in East Africa north of the Zambesi. For this northern form I believe that Werner's name P. subtaeniatus sudanensis is available. In scala- tion the latter is practically identical with P. s. sibilans, but cannot be regarded as a race of sibilans as both occur together in the same localities though not in the same habitats. The heavier and much loveridge: African snakes o larger sibilans is a snake of the cultivated lands, river banks, and swamps; the more elegant and slender sudanensis inhabits dry bush and scrub country which may be but a few hundred yards removed from the river banks where sibilans occurs. One has but to take two adult snakes of similar length and lay them side by side to note how much more slender is sudanensis. They do not represent different sexes for I have removed eggs from snakes of both types. The pair of black lines on the belly of sudanensis are diagnostic in many localities but not so in French West Africa or western Tanganyika. It seems possible that schokari is the oldest African form having entered the continent from Arabia and spread westward to Maure- tania. In Egypt or the Sudan it gave rise to two types, the slender semi-deserticolous species rather like itself which I call subtaeniatus sudanensis, and the heavier built sibilans sibilans. These two so- closely related species are, as indicated above, often difficult to dis- tinguish in the Nile and Rift Valley regions but become more readily separable as they spread east and south. In the vicinity of Pretoria, Transvaal, typical sibilans gives off a western race trinasalis (Jurcatus auct.), which, in turn, gives off notostictus in Cape Province and South- West Africa and leightoni on the Cape Peninsula. In the forested areas of northwest Africa sibilans has given rise to the race phillipsii. Whether elegans and punctulatus were derived from schokari or both from some older stock is less certain. They show close affinity, however, and punctulatus spreading southwards gave rise to p. trivir ga- ins and apparently b. biseriatus and b. tanganicus. The southern group consisting of jallae, crucifer and angolensis appear to be more closely related to the sibilans stock while it is difficult to place the little-known trigrammus of southern Angola and South-West Africa until more is known of its range of variation. The principal taxonomic changes resulting from this work — apart from the description of a new race of biseriatus — are the revival from synonymy of: P. punctulatus trivirgatus Peters from synonymy of punctulatus Dumeril & Bibron. P. sibilans phillipsii (Hallowell) from synonymy of sibilans (Linne). P. sibilans leightoni Boulenger from synonymy of jurcatus Peters. P. jallae Peracca from synonymy of crucifer (Daudin). while the undermentioned are considered svnonvms: P. regidaris Sternfeld =P. s. phillipsii (Hallowell) P. sibilans occidentalis Werner =P. s. phillipsii (Hallowell) 6 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology P. moniliger furcatus Peters (not Bianeoni) =P. s. trlnasalis (Werner) P. ansorgii Boulenger = P. jallae Peracca P. rohani Angel = P. jallae Peracca P. longirostris V. FitzSimons = P. jallae Peracca Psammophis sibilans tumbensis ) Schenkel Dromophis lineatus Psammophis brevirostris temporalis Werner (Dumeril & Bibron) Dromophis has been included in this paper with the purpose of inviting attention to its close relationship to Psammophis sibilans as evidenced by its synonymy, and the references to P. sibilans which should properly be referred to D. lineatus. The two genera are readily separable by the following characters : Maxillary teeth forming an uninterrupted series of 10 or 11 anteriorly, followed by an interspace then by a pair of en- larged grooved fangs situated beneath the posterior border of the eye Dromophis (p. 7.) Maxillary teeth interrupted below the anterior border of the eye by two greatly enlarged fang-like teeth, separated before and behind by an interspace, followed by more small max- illary teeth then by a pair of enlarged grooved fangs situated beneath the posterior border of the eye Psammophis (p. 12.) Owing to the refined discriminations of modern herpetology, it has been found impossible to construct a Synoptical Key comprising clear- cut distinctions. Particularly in regions where two races meet, in- dividuals are found which exhibit an admixture of characters pro- claiming their intermediate status. The Synoptical Key should, therefore, be used with the greatest caution and its conclusions checked by reference to Tables I and II; in doubtful cases the distributional range and locality records should afford assistance. In describing characters that are variable the commoner type is given first; in the Tables this is expressed by placing the rarer variation in parenthesis, where a variation is extremely rare or somewhat questionable it is usually given as a footnote. I take this opportunity of thanking numerous colleagues for their friendly cooperation in answering questions regarding specimens in loveridge: African snakes t their care, or for the loan of material. Among these are Mons. F. Angel (Paris), Prof. O. Arcangeli (Turin), Dr. E. R. Dunn (Phila- delphia), H. W. Parker (London), the late J. Roux (Bale), G. Scortecci (Milan), R. H. Smithers (Capetown) and L. Stejneger (Washington). Genus Dromophis lS69d. Dromophis Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 447 (type praeor- natus Schlegel). Synonymy. The two members of this genus have been referred to Dryophylax, Chrysopelea, Philodryas and Psammophis by various authors. Citations for these will be found in Boulenger, 1896d, Catalogue of Snakes, 3, p. 149. Maxillary teeth 10 or 11, unequal in size, median longest, decreasing in size both anteriorly and posteriorly, followed, after a short inter- space, by a pair of large grooved fangs situated below the posterior border of the eye; anterior mandibular teeth longest. Head distinct from neck; eye moderate, with round pupil. Body cylindrical; scales smooth, more or less oblique, with apical pits, in 15 or 17 rows at mid- body; ventrals rounded. Tail long; subcaudals in two rows. Range. Tropical West and central southeast Africa. Synopsis of the Species 1. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 138-159; subcaudals 83-105. .lineatus (p. 7.) Midbody scales in 15 rows 2 2. Ventrals 161-186; subcaudals 109-122; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth en- tering orbit; temporals 1+2; dorsal stripe slightly more than 1 scale in width; range Senegal to Nigeria p. praeomatus (p. 10.) Ventrals 168-190; subcaudals 126-133; upper labials 9-10, fifth and sixth or sixth and seventh entering orbit; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 +3; dorsal stripe more than 2 scales in width; range Nigeria to French Equatorial Africa p- gribinguiensis (p. ID Dromophis lineatus (Dumeril & Bibron) 1854. Dryophylax lineatus Dumeril & Bibron, Erpet. Gen., 7, p. 1124: White Nile, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. 1858c. Psammophis sibilans Gunther (part, not Linne), Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., p. 136. 1887b. Mocquard (part), Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris (7), 11, p. 78. 8 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1863. Philodryas lineatus Jan, Elenco Sist. Ofidi, p. 83. 1884a. Rochebrune, Faune Senegambie. Reptiles, p. 170. 1895f. Dro7nophis lineatus Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), 16, p. 33. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes, Brit. Mus., 3, p. 149. 1897b. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), 19, p. 279. 1897e. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 801. 1898. Johnston, British Cent. Africa, p. 361a. 1906L Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 2, p. 214. 1908b. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, pp. 217, 232. 1908. Werner, 1907, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 116, 1, p. 1877. 1910a. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. i, p. 29. 1910d. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 64. 1911c. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 5, p. 166. 1911. Sternfeld & Nieden, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 385. 1915a. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 212. 1915c. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 630. 1915d. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 653. 1916f. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 22, p. 376. 1917b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 23, p. 12. 1919b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 289. 1921a. Chabanaud, Bull. Com. Etudes Afrique Occ. Franc., p. 470. 1921b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 27, p. 524. 1922a. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris, 28, p. 40. 1923. Schmidt, Bull. Ann. Mus. Nat. Hist,, 49, p. 110, pi. xiii. 1924b. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Luanda Nat. Hist. Soc, Suppl. 3, p. 6. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 137. 1929h. Loveridge, Bull. U. S. Nat. Aius. 151, p. 32. 1933f. Angel, Les Serpens Afrique Occ. Francaise, p. 154. 1933h. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 74, p. 254. 1933m. Witte, Ann. Mus. Congo Beige Zool. (1), 3, p. 93. 1934. Pitman, Rep. Faunal Survey N. Rhodesia, p. 296. 1936h. Loveridge, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., 22, p. 254. 1937f. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, p. 496. 1937. Pitman, Uganda Journ., 4, p. 227, pi. x, fig. 3, pi. J, fig. 4. 1939c. Scortecci, Gli Ofidi Velenosi dell' Africa Italiana, p. 140, figs. 76-77. 1901. Psammophis sibilans tumbcnsis Schenkel, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 13, p. 172: Tumbo Island, French Guinea, 1902a. Psammophis brevirostris temporalis Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 52, p. 335: Coja, Togo. Names. Isakani (Nyakusa, Tanganyika Territory, but applied to Psammophis also). Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above; snout once and a third to once and two thirds as long as the loveridge: African snakes 9 eye; internasals one third to one half as long as the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than, as broad as, or slightly broader than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parietal, as long as or slightly longer or slightly shorter than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 shields; loreal once and a third to once and two thirds as long as deep; preocular 1, separated from the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 1 or 3; temporals 1 + 1 or 1 + 2 or 1 -f 3, very rarely 2 + 2 or 2 +3; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4, rarely 5, lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals which are slightly shorter than or as long as the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 138-159; anal divided; subcaudals 83-105 \ Coloration. Above, olive; head of young with light transverse bars on the occiput and nape, these markings sometimes disappearing in the adults, pre- and postoculars and lips greenish yellow, some of the labials with black sutures; dorsal scales mostly black-edged; three greenish-yellow longitudinal lines, one on the vertebral row of scales, the others on the fourth and fifth rows; outer scale-row greenish yellow bordered above with black. Below, belly and tail greenish yellow or pale green, uniform or with a series of black dots or short transverse lines on the outer ends of the ventrals. Measurements. Largest recorded measures 1090 (760 + 330) mm. (Boulenger, 1896d, p. 150). Breeding. On May 29 at Ujiji 6 eggs measuring 15x6 mm. in a 9 (Loveridge). Diet. A frog (Rana m. maseareniensis) at Ujiji. (Loveridge). Enemies. A young example taken from the mouth of a file snake (Mehelya riggenbachi) at Ubao (Sternfeld). Habitat. In Central Africa at least, to judge by the numerous lakeside records, it has some such association, perhaps on account of its diet of which nothing but the above record appears to be known. Localities. Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: White Nile. Uganda: Bussu; Gulu, Acholi; Lado Enclave; Nile Camp; Rhino Camp. Tanganyika Territory: Ipiana; Mwaya; Tukuyu (Langenburg) ; Ujiji. Nyasa- land: Karonga's to Kondowe; Nyika Plateau. Northern Rhodesia: Kabinda in Lukulu River delta, Lake Bangweulu; Nyamkolo. Belgian Congo: Chuapa River; Farad je; Gandu; Katobwe; Kunungu; Mahagi Port; Tembwe. French Equatorial Africa: Diele, Alima River; Kati nr. Beldongou. French Cameroon: Ubao. Nigeria: Asaba; 1 78-105 according to Boulenger (1896d, p. 149), I have examined the snake with 78 and con- sider that the terminal point may he regenerated. 10 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Niger River. Dahomey: Agouagou. Togoland: Coja; Kete; Misahohe; Sausane Mangu; Sokode. Liberia. French Guinea: Dixine; Kerouane; Tumbo Island. Portuguese Guinea: Bissau; Rio Cassine. Distribution. Portuguese Guinea east to the Nile, south through the countries immediately bordering the Great Lakes to NyasaEand (i.e. Lake Nyasa). Boulenger's record of Coast of Zanzibar is con- sidered definitely erroneous. Calabresi's (1916, p. 40) Bardera, Italian Somaliland snake, repeated by Scortecci, is, I imagine, a Hemirhagerrh is kelleri. Dromophis praeornatus praeornatus (Schlegel) 1837. Dendrophis praeomata Schlegel, Essai Phys. Serp., 2, p. 236: Walo, Senegal. 1854. Oxyrhopus praeornatus Dumeril & Bibron, Erpet. Gen., 7, p. 1039. 1858c. Chrysopelea praeomata Gunther, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., p. 147. 1865. Gunther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3), 15, p. 95. 1869. Jan, Icon. Gen. Ophid. pi. ii, fig. 2. 1884a. Rochebrune, Faune Senegambie. Reptiles, p. 176. 1885d. Muller, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 7, p. 687. 1887a. Boettger, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 60. 1869d. Dromophis praeornatus Peters, Ofv. Kongl. Vet. Akad. Forh., p. 447. 1870. Steindachner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 62, p. 333. 1890b. Muller, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 8, p. 694. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 150. 1898. Boettger, Kat. Rept.-Samm. Mus. Senckenberg. II, p. 102. 1902b. Mocquard, Bull. Mus. Paris, 8, p. 415. 1908b. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, pp. 218, 232. 1916f. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 22, p. 376. 1917b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 23, p. 12. 1918b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 24, p. 165. 1919b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 289. 1921a. Chabanaud, Bull. Com. Etudes Afrique Occ. Franc., p. 470. 1921b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 27, p. 525. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 138. 1933f. Angel, Les Serpens Afrique Occ. Franchise, p. 156, fig. 59. Synonymy. After having been referred to the genera Oxyrhopus and Chrysopelea, praeornatus became the genotype of Dromophis as pro- posed by Peters in 1869. The score of references since that date all refer to the typical form with the exception of Sternfeld's (1917, p. 477) which is applicable to the eastern race described by Angel in 1921. loveridge: African snakes 11 Description. Rostral slightly broader than deep, visible from above; snout once and a half to once and two thirds the diameter of the eye ; internasals1 slightly more than half the length of the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, nearly as broad as a supraocular, shorter than a parietal, longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 shields ; loreal once and a half to once and two thirds as long as deep, in contact with or narrowly separated from the frontal ; post- oculars 2 ; temporals 1 + 2 ; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4 or 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are as long as the posterior. Midbody scales in 15 rows; ventrals 161-186; anal divided; subcaudals 109-122. Coloration. Above, pale olive, with black transverse bands ante- riorly; most regular on the head; dorsum with a red vertebral stripe slightly more than one scale in width in the middle and a dorso-lateral series of black spots; three black stripes posteriorly. Below, uniform white. Measurements. Largest recorded measures 550 (375 + 175) mm. (Boulenger, 1896d, p. 150). Diet. A lizard (Eremias sp.) in a Togo snake (Sternfeld). Habitat. Sternfeld (1908b, p. 218) remarks that in contrast to linea- tus, in Togoland this species occurs only in the north of the colony. Elsewhere (1917, p. 477) he states that both are snakes of the steppe. Localities. Nigeria: Niger River. Togo: Mangu. Gold Coast: Accra. Ivory Coast: Lahou or Lahu. French Guinea: Kerouane; Kerroussa. Senegal: Dakar; Sangaleam; Satadougou; Taoue; Wallo. Distribution. AVest Africa from Senegal to Nigeria. Dromophis praeornatus gribinguiensis Angel 1917. Dromophis -praeornatus Sternfeld (notSchlegel), Zweit. Deutschen Zent.- Afrika-Exped., 1, pp. 409, 477. 1921b. Dromophis praeornatus var. Gribinguiensis Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris, 27, p. 141: Gribingui region, French Equatorial Africa. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1933f. Angel, Les Serpens Afrique Occ. Francaise, p. 156, footnote. 1933. Parker, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (10), 12, p. 544. Description. Differs from the typical form in the more numerous ventrals, subcaudals, upper labials and temporals, viz. Postoculars 2-3; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 4- 3; upper labials 9-10, fifth and sixth or 1 Fused to form a single plate in a Sangaleam snake, fide Chabanaud (1918b, p. 165). 12 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology sixth and seventh entering the orbit. Midbody scales in 15 rows; ventrals 168-190; subcaudals 126-133. Coloration. Above, pale olive; a small black spot on each internasal; on the prefrontals a transverse black band, interrupted on the median suture, extends through the loreal to the third and fourth labials; a second band between the eyes reappears as a spot on the suture be- tween the fifth and sixth labials; a third band crosses the posterior end of the frontal and supraoculars and the anterior ends of the parietals, the anterior temporals, and terminates on the suture between the seventh and eighth labials ; a fourth and last band crosses the posterior half of the parietals and without contraction reaches almost to the commissure of the mouth, along the parietal suture these last two bands give off converging projections between which lies a paired yellow spot as is found in the genus Psammophis. Anterior two thirds of the dor- sum largely uniform except for a broad brownish-red vertebral band and a lateral series of black spots upon a light ground, the darkening and contracting of the band together with a convergence of the lateral spots accompanied by a darkening of the ground colour gives rise to the three characteristic black longitudinal stripes on the posterior part of the body. Below, uniform yellowish white except for black spots on the outer ends of the ventrals which tend to form longitudinal lines in the preanal region and upon the tail. Measurements. Largest recorded measures 547 (365 -+- 182) mm. from ? Logone region (Sternfeld). Localities. French Equatorial Africa: Gribingui River region. French Cameroon: Logone (River) region? Nigeria: Jos. Distribution. "West Africa from Nigeria to French Equatorial Africa. Remarks. Sternfeld (1917, p. 477) first described this snake in great detail from a specimen with doubtful locality, supposedly from Logone region south of Lake Chad, he referred it to praeornatus of which he rightly said it was the most easterly example known. Later it was named by Angel. More recently Parker (1933, p. 544) received two specimens from Jos. As I have no material the above description is based on the statements of these three authors. The color translated and adapted from Sternfeld's detailed description. Genus Psammophis 1827. Psammophis Boie, part, in Oken, Isis, 20, col. 521 (type sibilans Linne). 1868. Phayrea Theobald, Cat. Rept. Asiatic Soc. Mus., p. 51 (type isabellina = condanarus Merrem). 1872. Amphiophis Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, 4, p. 81 (type angolensis Bocage). loveridge: African snakes 13 Synonymy. For further references to the genus Psammophis see Boulenger, 1896d, Catalogue of Snakes, 3, p. 152. Maxillary teeth 10 to 13, one or two in the middle much enlarged, fang-like, preceded and followed by an interspace, also the last or last two much enlarged, grooved, and situated below the posterior border of the eye; anterior mandibular teeth very strongly enlarged. Head distinct from neck; eye moderate or large, with round pupil. Body cylindrical; more or less oblique (scarcely so in crucifer and an- golensis), with apical pits, in 11 to 19 rows at midbody; ventrals rounded. Tail long; subcaudals in two rows. Range. Africa and southern Asia. Synopsis of the Species 1. Midbody scales in 17 (very rarely 19) rows 2 Midbody scales in 15 (very rarely 171) rows 14 2. Upper labials usually 9 (rarely 8 or 10); usually 5 (rarely 4 or 6) lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals 3 Upper labials usually 8 (rarely 7 or 9) ; usually 4 (rarely 5) lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals 8 3. Snout twice to twice and a half as long as the eye (see below for trigrammus also) elegans (P- 17.) Snout less than twice as long as the eye 4 4. Subcaudals more than 130 pairs 5 Subcaudals less than 130 pairs 13 5. Belly finely punctate, the spots arranged transversely not linearly 6 Belly markings, when present, consisting of a median band with or without linearly arranged dashes or spots; subcaudals less than 150 7 6. A dark vertebral stripe, no dorsolateral ones; subcaudals 158-173 y. punctulatus (p. 19.) A dark vertebral and a pair of dorsolateral stripes; subcaudals 143-163 p. trivirgatus (p. 21.) JA single example of P. crucifer with 17 scale-rows has been recorded by Hewitt. 14 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 7. Preoculars 2, not in contact with frontal; temporals 1 + 1 or 1 + 2, rarely 2 + 1 or 2 + 2 ; range southern Angola and South-West Africa trigrammus (p. 23.) Preoculars 1, in contact with frontal, rarely 2, not in contact with frontal; temporals 2 -f 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 1+2; range North Africa, .s. schokari (p. 24.) 8. Anal entire, very rarely divided 9 Anal divided, very rarely entire 10 9. Preocular 1, not in contact with frontal; nostril between 2, rarely 3 shields; range virgin forest regions from Sierra Leone to Gaboon. . .s. phillipsi (p. 41.) Preoculars 2, in contact with frontal, rarely 1, not in contact with frontal; nostril between 3, rarely 2 shields; range more arid regions of Angola, South-West Africa and Cape Province s. notostictus (p. 44.) 10. Preocular 1, usually in contact with frontal; very rarely 2, rarely not in contact with frontal 11 Preocular 1, not in contact with frontal, very rarely 2, very rarely in contact with frontal 12 11. Longitudinal light lines on rear of head and side of neck; range Transvaal to South-West Africa s. trinasalis (p. 46.) Transverse light bars on rear of head and side of neck; range Little Nama- qualand and Peninsula s. leightoni (p. 49.) 12. Habit stout; belly usually uniform white or plumbeous in adult, rarely with lateral lines though young often with lateral series of dusky spots; sub- caudals 78-116; range from Mauretania to Egypt south to Natal ex- clusive of areas occupied by the foregoing races s. sibilans (p. 30.) Habit slender; belly always with a pair of sharply distinct parallel longi- tudinal lines; subcaudals 92-114; range from southern Sudan through Kenya and Tanganyika to northern Mozambique sub. sudanensis (p. 50.) loveridge: African snakes 15 13. Ventrals 159-174; subcaudals 109-127; upper labials usually 9, fourth, fifth and sixth entering the orbit, rarely 8 or 10 with fourth and fifth or fifth, sixth and seventh entering; range from southern Mozambique to Angola and South-west Africa sub. subtaeniatus (p. 55.) 14. Midbody scales in 15 rows 15 Midbody scales in 13 rows or less 18 15. Upper labials usually 9, very rarely 8 or 10; 5 (rarely 4) lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than a supraocular; range East Africa. 16 Upper labials 8 or 7; 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals; frontal, in the middle, usually broader than a supraocular; range southern Congo and Angola southwards 17 16. Two labials, usually the fifth and sixth, entering the orbit; range eastern Kenya Colony north to Italian Somaliland and south to Tanganyika Territory in vicinity of Kilimanjaro b. biseriatus (p. 60.) Three labials, usually the fourth, fifth and sixth, entering the orbit; south- ern Libya east to Somaliland, south in the Central Lakes region to Tanganyika Territory b. tanganicus (p. 57.) 17. Ventrals 153-177; subcaudals 97-109; upper labials 7, third and fourth entering the orbit jallae (p. 62.) Ventrals 136-158; subcaudals 62-86; upper labials usually 8, fourth and fifth entering the orbit, rarely 7, third and fourth entering crucifer (p. 64.) 18. Midbody scales in 13 rows; subcaudals 108; range Ethiopia (known only from the type) pulcher (p. 67.) Midbody scales in 11 rows; subcaudals 57-82; range Tanganyika south to Mozambique, west to Angola angolensis (p. 68.) 16 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology TABLE 1 Variation of Scalation in the Genus Psammophis rf£ •- 15s > £ '> £ — u a £ SO 9 o u 3 5 5 lis '5 T) *3 C "3 .,2 o 2 3+3.3 i 0) > < -L o3 ^ z elegans 17 183-203 2 152-172 1 2(3) 9 (5, 6) f 9 (5, 6) p. punctulatus 17 176-196 2 158-178 1 2 9 (3, 4, 5) 8 (4, 5) 9 (5, 6) p. trivirgatus 17 177-197 2 143-163 1 2 • 9 (3, 4, 5) I 8 (4, 5) trigrammus 17 182-197 2 132-150 2 2 9 (5, 6) f 9 (5, 6) s. schokari 17(19) 156-205 2 93-149 1(2) 2(3) < 10 (6, 7) 8 (4, 5) 7 (3, 4) s. sibilans 17 151-186 2(1) ♦78-121 1(2) 2(3) • 8(4,5) I 9 (5, 6) s. phillipsii 17 162-182 1 89-109 1 2(3) 8 (4, 5) f 8 (4, 5) s. notostictus 17 157-184 1(2) 81-106 2(1) 2(3) \ rarely { 9 (4, 5, 6) s. trinasalis 17 152-180 2 85-117 1(2) 2(3) 8 (4, 5) s. leightoni 17 156-176 2 84-110 1 2 8 (4, 5) s. sudanensis 17 148-169 2 92-114 1(2) 2 8 (4, 5) f 9 (4, 5, 6) s. subtaeniatus 17 159-174 2 -j-109-127 1-2 2 1 8 (4, 5) 10 (5, 6, 7) 8 (3, 4, 5) b. tanganicus 15 142-168 2 97-117 1(2) 2 9 (4, 5, 6) 10 (4, 5, 6) f 9 (5, 6) b. biseriahis 15 138-156 2(1) 100-130 1(2) 2 \ 9 (4, 5, 6) I 8 (4, 5) jallae 15 153-177 2 197-109 1 2(1) 7 (3, 4) crucifer 15 (17) 136-158 2 62- 86 1 2 / 8 (4, 5) I 7 (3, 4) pulcher 13 144 2 108 2 2 8 (4, 5) angolensis 11 141-156 2 57-82 1 2(3) / 8 (4, 5) I 7 (4, 5) * 71 fide Bocage. t 77 fide Boulenger. t 77 fide Boulenger & H. W. P. but see note. loveridge: African snakes 17 TABLE 2 Variation, and Proportions of Head Shields in the Genus Psammophis co SO GO cs » as -^,+j GO "a u *^ c CS > Cm -c 3 CS O 3 CO CD C 3 CS 3 "3 CD ~ Q, -3 3 3 O u a cs „ CS M< — cs 3-0 CS srj si §1 cS-3 "5 u arrower (N) r (B) than i s?er than (L) rter than (S lield crer than (L) rter than (S 1 of the snou C u CS o •_ CO S ° 2-3 -> cs cs es 3 &0 so .3 CS •8 o * - L. 3 s 2 ~"3 cs' o Si"33 3 O £ - u S go CS o es t- •- 0 1 3 _0 3 3 3 3 _0 £- — .— fa"* gp— < J"- ■^ CS 'of is — iM 0 - IS u co ja cs "cs"* - - — — co co CJ}** 3 . cs 3 co O 1, in midd 1 (E) or hi aocular of Fronta 1 to (E), o of a Parie of Fronta 1 to (E), o stance fro co .2 '3 CS c .2 Cm .2 "C CS 3 — cs cs IS = c_o CS E- S o 3 3 O 0 CS ,«- — — CS CS fe SO"3 O csi/3 -3 CS _; "ft3 « -5 CB.3 he 3- co CO > > Z z~ z — — ~" Eb J h5 elegans 24 28 2-21 3-4 2 B-E M N E-S E-S p. punctulatus 20 20 H-if 2-21 2-3 B-E M N E-S E-L p. trivirgatus 20 17 ll-lf 2-3 2-3 B-E M N E-S E-L trigrammus 15 18 li-2 21-3 3 B M N E-S E-L s. schokari 49 56 H-if lf-4 2-3 B M N E E-L s. sibila?is 35 38 u-u* 1 i-91 1 2 ^2 2-3 B-E M N-E L-E-S E-L s. phillipsii 20 20 H-ll 1 3— 2 2 2-3 B-E M N-E L-E-S L s. notostictus 27 25 lf-li 1 2_ ^2 2-3 B M N E-S L s. trinasalis 20 32 H-lf 11-2 2-3 B-E M N L-E L s. leightoni 20 26 lfr-H 2 2-3 B-E M N S L s. sudanensis 21 22 H-if 2-21 2-3 B-E M N-E L-E-S E-L s. subtaeniatiis 15 18 H-H 2-2^ 2-3 B-E M N-E L-E-S L b. tanganicus 16 17 il-i i 2-3 f 2 B-E M N E-S L b. biseriaius 18 33 1 -1— 1 2 1 2 x 3 2-3 2 B M N E-S L jallae 24 33 H-H 11-2 2-3 B-E 1 2 2 3 B L-E L crucifer 22 24 H-ll 11 2 B 1 2 2 3 E-B E-S L pulcher 1 3 If 2 B M N S L angolensis 15 25 1 1-1 i 11-2 2 B 1 2 2 3 N-B L-S L * Boulenger gives twice but this appears extremely doubtful. f Boulenger gives up to four times which must be rare indeed. Psammophis elegans (Shaw) 1735. Serpens Catenata Seba, Rerum Nat. Thesauri, 2, p. 59, pi. lx, fig. 1: "Nova Hispania." 1802. Coluber Elegans Shaw, Gen. Zool., 3, p. 536: "South America" (accord- ing to Seba). 1819. Macrosoma elegans Leach, in Bowdich, Mission Ashanti Africa, p. 493. 1825. Natrix elegans Wagler, Amphib. Serp., p. lxii. 1827. Psammophis elegans Boie, in Oken, Isis, 20, col. 533, 548. 1837. Schlegel, Essai Phys. Serp., 2, p. 216. 18 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1844. Schlegel, Abbild. Amphib., p. 130, pi. xliii, figs. 15-16. 1854. Dumeril & Bibron, Erpet. Gen., 7, pt. 1, p. 894. 1858c. Gunther, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., p. 138. 1860. Dumeril, A., Arch. Mus. Paris, 10, p. 208, pi. xvii, figs. 10-10a. 1866a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, 1, p. 49. 1867a. Bocage (part), Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, 1, p. 226. 1870. Steindachner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 62, p. 333. 1881b. Boettger, Abh. Senckenberg. Naturf. Ges., 12, p. 395. 1882. Miiller, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 7, p. 170. 1884a. Rochebrune, Faune Senegambie. Reptiles, p. 166. 1885d. Miiller, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 7, p. 687. 1892a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 2, p. 183. 1893c. Matschie, Mitt. Fors. Gel. Deutsch Schutz., 6, p. 212. 1895b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 539. 1896a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 4, p. 78. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 167. 1898. Boettger, Kat. Rept.-Samm, Mus. Senckenberg. II, p. 104. 1899a. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 49, p. 148. 1902a. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 52, p. 338. 1906i. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 2, p. 214. 1908b. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, pp. 218, 233. 1917. Sternfeld, Zweit. Deutschen Zent.-Afrika-Exp., 1, pp. 409, 480. 1918b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 24, p. 166. 1919b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 290. 1919d. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 25, p. 567. 1921a. Chabanaud, Bull. Com. Etudes Afrique Occ. Franc., p. 470. 1922. Aylmer, Sierra Leone Studies, 5, p. 15. 1925b. Flower, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 971. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1933b. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris (2), 5, p. 69. 1933f. Angel, Les Serpens Afrique Occ. Francaise, p. 158, figs. 60-60b. 1884a. Psammophis trigrammus Rochebrune (not Gunther), loc. cit., p. 167. 1896c. Mocquard, Bull. Mus. Paris, 2, p. 59. 1922a. Psammophis schokari Angel (not Forskal), Bull. Mus. Paris, 28, p. 40. Synonymy. Individuals of this species have been referred to tri- grammus by both Rochebrune (1884a) and Mocquard (1896c), also to schokari by Angel (1922a), the latter has kindly reexamined both his and Mocquard's material and agrees with my allocation. Some of the snakes identified as elegans by Bocage (1867a) are undoubtedly sibilans. Names. Elegant Sand-Snake (English); baloui (French Guinea); sabondo (Habbe). Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, scarcely visi- ble from above; snout twice to twice and a half as long as the eye; loveridge: African snakes 19 internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parie- tal, as long as or slightly shorter than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 shields; loreal three or four times as long as deep; preocular 1, usually separated from the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 3; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 1+2; upper labials 9, fifth and sixth entering the orbit ; 5, rarely 6, lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals1 183-203; anal divided ; subcaudals2 152-172. Coloration. Above yellow or pale olive, head olive finely punctate or vermiculated with black; three longitudinal bands formed by black- edged scales between black lines, the median band five scales wide but narrowing anteriorly, the lateral narrower and extending to the end of the snout after passing through the eye; upper lip and sides of belly yellow, rest of belly and under tail, grayish or olive lineolated with black. Measurements. Largest recorded measured 1750 (1060 + 690) mm. (Angel). Longevity. 1 year, 11 months, 10 days in London zoo (Flower). Diet. Agama (Werner, 1899a), (Sternfeld, 1908b); Mabuya (Stern- feld, 1908b). Localities. French Equatorial Africa: Bandiagara; Dire; Kati near Bammako. Nigeria: Lagos. Dahomey: Widah. Togoland: Atakpame; Bismarckburg; Kete; Misahohe; Pame. Gold Coast: Ashanti; Fantee; Odumasi; Tumbo Island. French Guinea: Dixine. Portuguese Guinea: Bissau; Bolama. Senegal: Dagana in Cayor; Mpal near Saint Louis. Distribution.. West Africa from the French Sudan and Nigeria to Senegal, but not reported from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Gambia. Psammophis punctulatus punctulatus Dumeril & Bibron 1854. Psammophis punctulatus Dumeril & Bibron, Erpet. Gen., 7, p. 897: Arabia. (Locality doubtful.) 1882a. Peters (part), Reise nach Mossambique, 3, p. 123. 1895. Prato, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 35, p. 25. 1896. Anderson, Contr. Herpet. Arabia, p. 83. 1896a. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 16, p. 553. ?1896b. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 13. 1 Boulenger's specimen with allegedly 179 ventrals, I find has 184. 2 Boulenger's records of 144 and 149 subcaudals have regenerated tails. 20 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1896d. Boulenger (part). Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 159. 1898. Boettger, Kat. Rept.-Samm. Mus. Senckenberg. II, p. 104. ?1908c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, p. 241. 1915c. Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 630. 1915d. Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 653. 1919. Werner, Denks. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 96, p. 506. 1925. Werner (part), 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1927. Calabresi (part), Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 66, p. 55. 1928b. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 67, p. 305. 1930a. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 69, pp. 203, 213. 1930b. Zavattari, in Bono, Miss. Sci. Eritrea, p. 194. 1931a. Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, 55, p. 101, pi. i. 1935a. Corkhill, Sudan Govt. Mus. Publ. No. 3, p. 21. 1939c. Scortecci (part), Gli Ofidi Velenosi dell' Africa Italiana, p. 151. 1859. Dendrophis furcata Bianconi, Mem. Accad. Sci. Bologna, p. 500 pi. xxv ; reprinted in Spec. Zool. Mossambicana, p. 276, pi. xiii: Mo- zambique. (Locality doubted.) Synonymy. This distinctive species does not appear to have been confounded with any other, the majority of references to it in the liter- ature, however, apply to the southern form. Name. Northern Speckled Sand-Snake (English). Deserijrtion. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above; snout once and a half to once and two thirds as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, much narrower than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parietal, as long as or usually longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 or 3 shields; loreal nearly twice to twice and a half as long as deep; preocular 1, in contact with, rarely separated from, the frontal ; postoculars 2 ; temporals 2 4- 2 or 2 + 3 ; upper labials 9, rarely 8, fifth and sixth, rarely fourth and fifth or third, fourth and fifth, entering the orbit; 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 176-196; anal divided; subcaudals1 158-178. Coloration. Above, yellow or white, head and nape olive-gray, buff, or reddish, uniform or speckled with black; a single black vertebral stripe along the body turning to reddish brown on tail, bifurcating anteriorly, each branch, as a black or brown streak, sometimes extend- ing through the eye to the end of the snout; sides, belly, and underside of tail, grayish or greenish heavily speckled with black. :Vinciguerra (1931a, p. 101) states that Pellegrin has reexamined Dumeril & Bibron's type and finds that the low number of 130 subcaudals results from the fact that the tip of the tail is missing. loveridge: African snakes 21 Measurements. Largest recorded measures 1440 (850 + 590) mm., from Danakil, Ethiopia. (Vinciguerra.) Habitat Coastal plain to arid thorn-bush uplands. Localities. Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: Butana, Kasala Province Gebel Moya, lower Blue Nile. Eritrea: Agordat; Barentu; Ghinda Monte Dongallo; Saati; Tessenei. Ethiopia: Gaarre, Dankali Harrar es Saghir. Distribution. Arabia (?) and Anglo-Egyptian Sudan south through Eritrea to northeastern Ethiopia. Remarks. Doubts have been expressed as to whether the type actually came from Arabia, the only second record being that of Stern- feld (1908c, p. 241) from Haith al hin, Lahaj (as Lahadj), a doubtful identification in view of its being stated to have only 171 ventrals and 40 subcaudals. Much more doubtful to me is that no second example has come from Mozambique since Bianconi described furcata. Peters' (1882a, p. 123) reference to a specimen from Inhambane in the Bologna Museum, pre- sumably refers to the type of furcata. As the type had a single verte- bral stripe, should it really have come from Mozambique, then my recognition of a southern race is rendered doubtful. PSAMMOPHIS PUNCTULATUS TRIVIRGATUS Peters 1878a. Psammophis punctulatus var. trivirgatus Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 206: Teita, Kenya Colony. 1884a. Fischer, Jahr. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 1, p. 12. 1882a. Psammophis punctulatus Peters (part, not Dumeril & Bibron), Reise nach Mossambique, 3, p. 123. 1893b. Boettger, Zool. Anz., 16, pp. 119. 123. 1895b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 537. 1895i. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 15, p. 14, pi. iv, fig. 1. 1896b. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 13. 1896c. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 21. 1896d. Boulenger (part), Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 159. 1896e. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 216. 1896. Tornier, Kriechthiere Deutsch-Ost-Afrikas, p. 82. 1897g. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 279. 1897. Tornier, Arch. Naturg., 63, 1, p. 65. 1898a. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 18, p. 721. 1902d. Boulenger, in Johnston, Uganda Protectorate, 1, p. 447. ?1908c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, p. 241. 1910a. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. i, p. 30, fig. 32. 1912b. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 5, p. 332. 99 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1912. Hobley, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, 3, p. 51. 1915c. Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 630. 1915d. Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 653. 1924b. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, Suppl. 3, p. 6. 1925. Werner (part), 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1927. Calabresi (part), Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 66, p. 55. 1931c. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 70, p. 210. 1932b. Parker, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 364. 1934a. Scortecci, Natura (Milano), 25, p. 58, fig. 23. 1936j. Loveridge, Bull, Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, p. 265. 1936e. Parker, Ann. Mag. Nat, Hist. (10), 18, p. 608. 1937c. Loveridge, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 89, p. 277. 1937f. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, pp. 493, 496. 1937. Pitman, Uganda Journ., 4, p. 229, pi. xi, fig. 1, pi. K, fig. 1. 1938a. Pitman, Uganda Journ., 5, p. 214. 1939a. Scortecci, Ann. Mus. Genova 63, p. 280. 1939c. Scortecci (part), Gli Ofidi Velenosi dell' Africa Italiana, p. 151, figs. 82-83. Synonymy. Heretofore always confounded with the typical northern race, appearing as pundulatus in the entire literature with the excep- tion of Peters' reference above and that of Fischer (1884a, p. 12). Name. Southern Speckled Sand-Snake (English). Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above; snout once and a half to once and two thirds as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, much narrower than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parietal, as long as or usually longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 or 3 shields; loreal twice to thrice as long as deep; preocular 1, in contact with, rarely separated from, the frontal; postoculars 2; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 1+2; upper labials 9, rarely 8, fifth and sixth, rarely fourth and fifth or third, fourth and fifth, entering the orbit ; 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 177-197; anal divided; subcaudals1 143-163. Coloration. Above, yellow or white, head and nape olive-gray, buff, or reddish, uniform, or speckled with black; three black stripes along the body, the vertebral broadest and bifurcating anteriorly, each 1 The specimens with 136, recorded by Boulenger (1896d, p. 159), and 137, recorded by Scor- tecci (1939a, p. 281) , probably possess regenerated tails, as is certainly the case with those of 105, 110, and 118, recorded by Parker and myself. loveridge: African snakes 23 branch, as a black or brown streak, sometimes extending through the eye to the end of the snout ; sides, belly, and underside of tail, grayish or greenish heavily speckled with black. Measurements. Largest d" measures 1660 (1080 4- 580) mm. from Ogaden (Boulenger). Largest 9 measures 1532 (972 4- 560) mm. from Athi River, Kenya Colony (Loveridge). Diet. Lizard (Latastia I. revoili) on Mt. Mbololo (Loveridge). Habitat. Coastal plain to arid thorn-bush uplands. Localities. British Somaliland: Nogal Valley; Ogaden. Italian Somaiiiand: Belat Amin; Dolo; Lugh; Villaggio Duca degli Abruzzi. Uganda: (see Remarks below). Kenya Colony: Athi River crossing; Guaso Nyiro; Kaliokwell; Lake Rudolf; Lodwar; Loiyangallani ; Mbololo Mountain; Teita. Tanganyika Territory: Arusha. Distribution. Northeastern Ethiopia south through drier regions of Kenya and Italian Somaliland to extreme northern Tanganyika Terri- tory. Remarks. The inclusion of this species in the Uganda list by Bou- lenger (1902d, p. 447) was, as pointed out by Pitman (1937, p. 229), based in all probability on material obtained extralimitally to the present boundaries of the Protectorate. It may, however, have been included on the strength of Tornier's (1896, p. 82) record of Victoria Nyanza, repeated by Sternfeld (1910a, p. 30), which I reject as being either misidentified or else with faulty data. Psammophis trigrammus Gunther 1865. Psammophis trigrammus Gunther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3), 15, p. 95, pi. ii, fig. E: Rio Sao Nicolao, Mossamedes Bay, Angola. 1887a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, 11, p. 206. 1895b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 538. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 159. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 513. 1910b. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 26, fig. 30. 1910c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 56. 1911. Lampe, Jahrb. Nassau Verh. Naturk. Wiesbaden, 64, p. 201. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 123, 124. 1915c. Werner, in Michaelsen, Beitr. Kennt. D.-Slidwestafrikas, p. 364. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. Synonymy. This rare species does not appear to have been con- founded with others, but the references to its occurrence in Senegal by Rochebrune, and French Guinea by Mocquard, might be attributed to elegans if they were based on actual misidentified material. 24 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Description. Rostral broader than deep, visible from above; snout once and a half to twice1 as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than a supra- ocular, as long as or a little shorter than a parietal, as long as or longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 3 shields; loreal two and a quarter to thrice as long as deep; preoculars 2, in contact with or just separated from the frontal; postoculars 2; tem- porals 1 -f- 1 or 1 4- 2, rarely 2 + 1 or 2 -f- 2; upper labials 9, fifth and sixth entering the orbit; 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 182-197; anal divided; subcaudals 132-150. Coloration. Above, pale olive or grayish brown, yellowish poste- riorly ; upper lip, pre- and postoculars yellowish ; dorsum uniform or the scales on the vertebral line black-edged, forming a stripe posteriorly; an indistinct dark lateral stripe or series of black dashes along the outer scale-row. Below, as well as lower half of outer scale-row, white or yellowish with a well-defined median band of olive or light gray; chin and throat pure white. Measurements. The type, a c? and largest known specimen, measures 1180 (750 +430) mm. Localities. Angola: Rio Sao Nicolao. South- West Africa: Kuibis; Omaruru; Rehbock; Seafontein. Distribution. Southern Angola and South-West Africa. Remarks. The type locality is not in Namaqualand, the correction was made by Bocage (1887a, p. 206) but has had little attention. PSAMMOPHIS SIBILANS SCHOKARI (Forskal) 1735. Serpens Africana Seba, "Rerum Nat. Thesauri," 2, p. 57, pi. lvi, fig. 4: Hippo, i.e. Bone, Algeria. 1755. Coluber hipponensis Klein, Tentam Herpet. Unzeri, pp. 38, 117: Hippo (Based on Seba's figure). 1775. Coluber schokari Forskal, Descript. Animal., p. 14: Yemen, Arabia. 1825. Natrix schokari Wagler, Amphib. Serp., p. lxii. 1834. Coluber lacrymans Reuss, Mus. Senckenberg., 1, p. 139: Tor district, Arabia, i.e. Tor, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. 1854. Psammophis moniliger Dumeril & Bibron (part, not Daudin), Erpet. Gen., 7, p. 891. 1854. Psammophis punctatus Dumeril & Bibron, Erpet. Gen., 7, p. 896, pi. lxxvii, fig. 2: Levant; Egypt; Arabia; Red Sea coasts. 1 Type examined for this character A. L. loveridge: African snakes 25 1857. Gervais, Mem. Acad. Sci. Montpellier, 3, p. 512, pi. vb, figs 3-3a.. 1862b. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 274, pi. -, fig. 2. 1862b. Strauch, Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. Petersbourg (7), 4, p. 66. 1858c. Psammophis sibilmis Giinther (part, not Linne), Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., p. 136. 1862b. Strauch, Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. Petersbourg (7), 4, p. 66. 1875. Schreiber (part), Herpet. Europaea, p. 217. 1880d. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p.308. 1881a. Peters, in Rohlfs, Kufra, p. 369. 1885d. Miiller, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 7, p. 686. 1891c. Boulenger, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, p. 150. 1892. Anderson, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 19. 1894. Oliver, Mem. Soc. Zool. France, 7, p. 121. 1896. Doumergue, Ass. Franc. Compte Rendu 25th Sess. Carthage, p. 478. 1896a. Oliver, Assoc. Franc. Compte Rendu 25th Sess. Carthage, p. 474. 1896b. Oliver, Revue Sci. Bourbonnais France, 9, p. 125. 1903. Mayet, in E^xplor. Sci. Tunisie, p. 24. 1904. Chaignon, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Autun, 17, p. 24. 1916. Andersson (part), Meddel. Goteb. Musei Zool. Afdel., No. 9, p. 36. 1920c. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 26, p. 462. 1863. Psammophis sibilans var. hierosolimitana Jan, Elenco Sist. Ofidi, p. 90: Jerusalem, Palestine. 1870. Jan, Icon. Gen. Ophid., livr. 34, pi. iii, fig. 2. 1872. Psammophis sindanus Stoliczka, Proc. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, p. 83: Sind and Cutch (as Katch), northwest India, {non vidi.) 1885b. Psammophis sibilans var. punctata Boettger, in Kobelt, Reise. Al- gerien Tunis, p. 462. 1891c. Boulenger, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, p. 97. 1892. Konig, Sitz. Nied. Ges. Natur. Bonn, p. 23. 1896a. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 16, p. 553. 1896d. Psammophis schokari Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 157. 1896. Anderson, Contr. Herpet. Arabia, pp. 53, 82, 108. 1897b. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 47, p. 407. 1898. Anderson, Zool. Egypt. 1, Rept. Batr., p. 295, pis. xli-xlii. 1898. Boettger, Kat. Rept.-Samm. Mus. Senckenberg. II, p. 103. 1900. Anderson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), 6, p. 425. 1901a. Doumergue, Soc. Geog. Arch. Oran, 20, p. 61. 1901. Schenkel, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 13, p. 172. 1901. Steindachner, Denks. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 69, p. 334. 1903. Giinther, Novit. Zool., p. 299. 1903. Steindachner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 112, 1, p. 10. 1904. Chaignon, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Autun, 17, p. 24. 1904. Peracca, Bull. Mus. Zool. Torino, 19, No. 467, p. 4. 1905g. Boulenger, Novit, Zool., 12, p. 77. 20 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1908c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, p. 241. 1908. Werner, 1907, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 116, 1, p. 1878. 1908. Zulueta, Boll. Real. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat., 8, p. 455. 1909b. Werner, Third Rep. Wellcome Res. Lab. Khartoum, pp. 622, 631. 1911. Lampe, Jahrb. Nassau Ver. Naturk. Wiesbaden, 64, p. 201. 1913. Ghigi, Mem. Accad. Sci. Inst. Bologna (6), 10, p. 284. 1913. Hartert, Novit. Zool., 20, p. 83. 1913a. Werner, in Brehm, Tierleben, 4, ed. 4, p. 400. 1914. Barbour, Proc. New Eng. Zool. Club, 4, p. 91. 1914. Fowler, Copeia, p. 1. 1914b. Werner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 123, 1, pp. 346, 354. 1915d. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 653. 1915e. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 80. 1916c. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 22, p. 79. 1919b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 290. 1919c. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 305. 1922a. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris, 28, p. 40. 1922. Foley, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique Nord, 13, p. 75. 1922a. Mertens, Senckenbergiana, 4, p. 181. 1924a. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 30, p. 55. 1925b. Flower, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 971. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1926b. Mertens, Zool. Anz., 68, p. 326. 1926. Morton, Bull. Soc. Vaudoise Sci. Nat., 56, p. 187. 1926a. Pellegrin, 1925, Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. Maroc, 5, p. 319. 1927a. Pellegrin, Compte Rendu Assoc. Franc. Avanc. Sci., 51, p. 263. 1927. Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, 52, p. 343. 1928. Mosauer & Wallis, Zool. Anz., 79, p. 207, fig. 10. 1928b. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 67, p. 305. 1929b. Werner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 138, 1, pp. 12, 26. 1929. Zavattari, Notiz. Econom. Cirenaica, p. 88. 1930a. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 69, pp. 203, 213. 1930a. Zavattari, Arch. Zool. Ital. Torino, 14, p. 279. 1930b. Zavattari, in Bono, Miss. Sci. Eritrea, p. 194. 1931. Gestro & Vinciguerra, Result. Sci. Miss. Oasi Giarabub, p. 538. 1931b. Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, 55, p. 257. 1931c. Werner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 140, 1, p. 301. 1932. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris (2), 4, p. 387. 1932b. Parker, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 364. 1932b. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 71, p. 46. 1933f Angel, Les Serpens Afrique Occ. Franchise, p. 160. 1933. Flower, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 823. 1934. Mosauer, Publ. Univ. Cal. Biol. Sci., 1, p. 58. 1934a. Scortecci, Natura (Milano), 25, p. 57, fig. 22. 1935a. Corkhill, Sudan Govt. Mus. Publ. No. 3, p. 21. loveridge: African snakes 27 1935. Foley, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique Nord, 26, p. 54. 1935. Hediger, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 46, p. 27. 1935. Laurent, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique Nord, 26, p. 347. 1935d. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 74, p. 194. 1935e. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 74, p. 189. 1937. Zavattari, in Festschrift Geburt Embrik Strand, 2, p. 532. 1938b. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris (2)., 10, p. 487. 1938. Angel & Lhote, Bull. Com. Etudes Afrique Occ. Franc., 21, p. 367. 1939c. Scortecci, Gli Ofidi Velenosi dell' Africa Italiana, p. 154, figs. 84-85. Synonymy. Except for citations of new species, the above synonymy is restricted to xAfrican references, some few earlier ones will be found in Dumeril & Bibron (1854). Boulenger referred Seba's figure to sibilans, to which it certainly has a more general resemblance than to schokari, though some examples of the latter exhibit temporal blotches, as figured by Seba, which are more characteristic of the typical form. The locality, however, assum- ing that it is correct, definitely places the specimen as representing the race schokari. Klein's name hipponensis, being preLinnaean, is inad- missable. The confusion of this form with typical sibilans has been extensive, so that many references to sibilans are referable to schokari, though only a few of the latter are relegated to the synonymy of P. s. sibilans. Chabanaud's (1916f) record from Dahomey, which later he (1917b) corrected to Timbuktu on the Niger, as well as Angel's (1922a) from Kati, near Bamako on the Niger, are referred to elegans. A disposition with which Mons. Angel concurs. Names. Schokari Sand-Snake (English); zeurig (Arabic, Algeria); kcbeli (Arabic, Tunisia); abu el suyur {i.e. father of stripes, Arabic, Egypt) ; abu far, abu sa aifa, um sot, zerrag (Arabic, Sudan) ; schokari (Arabic, Arabia); kung (Nubas of Karko). Mostly after Corkhill. Description. Rostral broader than deep, visible from above; snout once and a third to once and two thirds as long as the eye ; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than a supraocular, as long as a parietal, as long as or slightly longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 or 3 shields; loreal once and two thirds to four times as long as deep; pre- ocular 1, rarely 2, in contact with, rarely separated from, the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 3; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 1+2; upper labials 9, rarely 8 or 10, fifth and sixth, rarely fourth and fifth or sixth and seventh, entering the orbit; 5, rarely 4 or 6, lower labials in contact 28 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17, rarely 19, rows; ventrals 156-205; anal divided; subcaudals 93-149. 1 Coloration. Very variable. Above, reddish, yellowish, grayish, or pale olive; usually a dark streak on each side of the head passing through the eye; lips with or without dark spots; body striped or spotted with darker, sometimes uniform. Below, uniform or spotted with darker, laterally with or without one or two rows of more or less distinct dark lines or series of dashes, sometimes enclosing a central, ribbon-like grayish streak. Doumergue (1901a) describes seven colour phases from Algeria, and states that all may be present in a single locality! More recently Mertens (1926b) has discussed dichromatism in this race. Measurements. Largest c? measures 1480 (1145 + 335) mm. Pre- sumably from Egypt (Anderson, 1898, p. 297). Longevity. Record for thirty-five snakes at Giza zoo was 11 months and 24 days (Flower, 1925b, p. 971). Diet. Chiefly lizards, but bird in mouth of one (Corkhill, 1935a, p. 21); lizard (Aeanthodactylus s. aureus) at Port Etienne (Chabanaud, 1924a, p. 55) ; skink (Ckakides ocellatus) at Ain Sefra (Werner, 1914b, p. 346). Captive snakes took lizards (Lacerta muralis and L. livipara) (Mosauer, 1934, p. 58), but refused gerbils. Parasites. Hemogregarines in 2 out of 5 Algerian snakes (Foley, 1922, p. 75). Temperament. Inoffensive (Doumergue, 1901a, p. 61) and placid (Corkhill, 1935a, p. 21), though natives very much afraid of them (Werner, 1913a, p. 400). Venom. Captive examples observed to swallow lizards instantly without attempting to poison or constrict them (Mosauer, 1934, p. 58). Habitat. In Algeria this species is deserticolous, being found be- neath stones or among the scrubby vegetation of the dunes (Dou- mergue, 1901a, p. 61). In Egypt in dry areas, never in the moist alluvial soil of the fields (Anderson, 1898, p. 297), it is widespread though "not found in the Nile Delta, nor in cultivated or marshy land, it inhabits dry deserts, especially tracts with a certain amount of scattered vege- tation. It appears to be diurnal . . ." (see Flower, 1933, p. 823). Its tracks are figured by Mosauer and Wallis (1928, fig. 10). 1 This count of 149 is from Aden and has been checked by me, other high counts — 141 and 140 — are also from Arabian localities, yet some Arabian specimens in the Mus. Comp. Zool. have as few as 115 and 116 subcaudals. Asiatic material tends to be higher for the largest count for an African snake is that of 131 (checked as 128, but tip now missing) for a Brit. Mus. snake said to be from Douirat, Tunisia. loveridge: African snakes 29 Localities. French West Africa: Ajoujt (Akjoujt); Port Etienne. Rio de Oro. French Morocco: Berguent; Dar Kaid Embarek Djebel Guelis; Marrakesh; Mogador; Tamarouft (Tamaruth) Valley Taourit. Algeria: Ain Oumach; Ain Sefra; Amsel; Arba Tahtani *Banion (? Beni Ounif); Beni Mzab; Beni Ounif de Figuig; Bled el Ahmar; Biskra; Bone; *Bou Guelfaia (? Guelatia); Bou Saada; El Abiod Sidi Cheikh; Figuig; In Salah; Ksar el Ahmar; Laghouat; Messad ; Mzab ; Oued Mya ; Reggan ; Sefissif a (Sfissif a) ; Tuggurt ; *Zaatcha. Tunisia: Bled Thala; *Bordj Gonifla; Bou Grara; Djebel Domeur; Djebel Meda; Douirat; El Hamma (Hamman) des Beni Zib; *Fratis; Gabes (Cabes) ; Gafsa; Mejerda (Madjoura) ; Metamer; *Nebech el Dib; *Raz el Wed (? Ras el Oued, Algeria) ; Shott el Djerid (Jerid); *Taferma; Tamezret (Tamesred); Tozeur (Toser). Libya: Agial ; Ain Ghazal nr. Auenat ; Bir Milrha to Giof ra (Kufra) ; Archenu to Auenat; El Auenat; *E1 Foga (Fogha) ; El Tag; Gebel Nari (Neri) ; Gialo ; Giarabub ; Giarabub to Porto Bardia ; Giof ra ; Hofra ; Misurata ; Oasi Bzema; Rebiana; Tripoli; Uadi el Abiad. Egypt: Abbasa (Abbasiyeh); *Abu Roash; Abu Shah; Ain Musa; Aswan (Assuan); Beris (Berys) ; Cairo; Emerald Mines; Etsa district; Giza; Ismailia; Kantara; Kharga Oases; Libyan Desert; Mariut; Mersa (Marsa) Matruh; Ras Gharib; Salhia Desert; Sennures district; Shadwan Island; Shaluf; Suez; Wadi Feiran; Wadi Haifa; Wadi Hebran; Wadi Hellal ; Wadi Natrun ; Wadi Um Tundeba (Tundeb) . Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: Dongola; Durur; Fung; Khartoum; Sennar; Suakin; Tokar. Eritrea: Asmara; Cheren; Cheren to Massaua; Monte Dangollo nr. Ghinda; Saati (Sahiti); Tessenei. British Somaliland: Buran; Warabod (Warabot). Italian Somaliland: Carim (Carin). Distribution. Arid areas bordering the Sahara, from French West Africa adjacent to Rio de Oro, west to Egypt (also Arabia; Syria; Palestine; Mesopotamia; Persia; Baluchistan; Afghanistan and Sind), south along the Red Sea coast to Italian Somaliland. In British Somaliland it has been recorded from 600 to 3,000 feet (Parker, 1932b, p. 364), in Sinai up to 5,300 feet. It will be noted that this race, as well as typical P. s. sibilans, have been recorded from Cairo and its environs — Abbasa (Abbasiyeh), Abu Roash and Giza — as well as from Aswan, Egypt; Khartoum and Sen- nar in the Sudan; and Cheren in Eritrea. This is not so incomprehensi- ble in view of the marked habitat differences which have been em- 1 Localities marked with an asterisk have not heen located on any map, all others on this page have been found, preference being given to spelling in atlas, that of herpetologist following in parenthesis. 30 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology phasized by both Anderson and Flower. Habitat preferences which are paralleled in East Africa by P. s. sibilans along the rivers and P. sub- taeniatus sudanensis in the arid bush a few hundred yards removed from such rivers or swamps. I wish that someone with abundant Egyptian or Eritrean material would make a critical study of all the records of both sibilans and schokari in those countries and see if they are correlated with the physical features suggested. Remarks. The fullest discussion on variation in this race will be found in Anderson (1898, pp. 295-302) who suggests that schokari differs from sibilans in displaying a less marked disparity in size as be- tween the scales of the first and fourth lateral rows, while in sibilans the fourth row is only about half the size of that of the first, or lowest. Psammophis sibilans sibilans (Linne) 1758. Coluber sibilans Linne (part), Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1, p. 222: "Asia." 1766. Linne (part), Syst. Nat., ed. 12, 1, p. 383. 1802. Coluber Gemmatus Shaw, Gen. Zool., 3, p. 539: No locality. 1803. Coluber moniliger Daudin, Hist. Nat. Rept., 7, p. 69: No locality. 1820. Natrix sibilans Merrem, Vers. Syst. Amphib., p. 114. 1827a. Coluber auritus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, Descr. Egypte, 1, Hist. Nat., Rept., pp. 147, 151, pi. viii, fig. 4: Egypt. 1829. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, Suppl., pi. iv, fig. 5. 1827. Psa?nmophis sibilans Boie, in Oken, Isis, 20, col. 547. 1858c. Gunther, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., p. 136. 1866a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, 1, p. 48. 1867a. Steindachner, in Reise Osterreich. Freg. Novara, Zool., 1. p. 69. 1870. Blanford, Obs. Geol. Zool. Abyssinia, p. 458. 1870. Jan, Icon. Gen. Ophid., livr. 34, pi. iii, fig. 3. 1870b. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 114. 1870. Steindachner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 62, p. 333. 1875a. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 198. 1875. Schreiber (part), Herp. Europaea, p. 217. 1876a. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 118. 1877c. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 615. 1878a. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 206. 1881b. Boettger, Abh. Senckenberg., Naturf. Ges., 12, p. 395. 1882. Miiller, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 7, p. 170. 1882a. Peters, Reise nach Mossambique, 3, p. 121. 1882a. Vaillant, in Revoil, Faune Flore Pays Comalis, p. 24. 1884a. Rochebrune, Faune Senegambie. Rept., p. 165. 1885d. Miiller (part), Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 7, p. 78. loveridge: African snakes 31 1886. Dollo, Bull. Mus. Royal Belg., 4, p. 156. 1887b. Boettger, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 159. 1887h. Boulenger, Zoologist (3), 11, p. 176. 1887b. Mocquard (part), Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris (7), 11, p. 78. 1887. Symonds, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 487. 1888a. Boettger, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 53. 1888a. Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 51. 1889. Hesse, Zool. Garten, 30, p. 266. 1889. Pfeffer, Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 6, p. 9. 1891b. Steindachner, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 100, 1, p. 314. 1892a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 2, p. 183. 1892a. Boulenger, in Distant, Natur. in Transvaal, p. 176. 1893b. Boettger, Zool. Anz., 16, pp. 119, 123. 1893. Pfeffer, Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 10, p. 86. 1894. Fleck, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 85. 1894. Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 88. 1894a. Gunther, 1893, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 618. 1895a. Bocage (part), Herp. Angola Congo, p. 114. 1895b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 537. 1895. Jeude, Notes Leyden Mus., 16, p. 229. 1896. Anderson, Contr. Herp. Arabia, p. 108. 1896a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 4, pp. 78, 93. 1896b. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 4, p. 113. 1896e. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 4, p. 177. 1896a. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 16, p. 553. 1896b. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 13. 1896c. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 21. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit, Mus., 3, p. 161. 1896. Peracca, Boll. Mus. Zool. Torino, 11, No. 255, p. 2. 1896. Tornier, Kriechthiere Deutsch-Ost-Afrikas, p. 82. 1897. Bateman, The Vivarium, p. 285. 1897b. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), 19, p. 279. 1897e. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 801. 1897g. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 279. 1897a. Peracca, Boll. Mus. Zool. Torino, 12, No. 273, p. 3. 1897b. Peracca, Boll. Mus. Zool. Torino, 12, No. 304, p. 2. 1897. Sjostedt, Bihang Kongl. Svenska Vet.-Akad. Handl., 23, pt. 4, No. 2, p. 35. 1897. Tornier, Arch. Naturg., 63, p. 65. 1897b. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot, Ges. Wien, 47, p. 400. 1898. Anderson, Zool. Egypt, 1, Rept. Batr., p. 302, fig. 12, pi. xliii. 1898. Boettger, Kat, Rept.-Samm. Mus. Senckenberg. II, p. 104. 1898. Johnston, British Cent. Africa, p. 361a. 1898. Sclater, Ann. S. African Mus., 1, p. 100. 1898. Werner, 1896-7, Jahrb. Abh. Natur. Magdeburg, p. 145. 32 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1898. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 48, p. 212. 1899. Mocquard, Bull. Mus. Paris, 5, p. 219. 1900b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 454. 1900. Flower, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 968. 1901. Schenkel, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 13, p. 172. 1902b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 2, p. 18. 1902d. Boulenger, in Johnston, Uganda Protectorate, p. 447. 1902. Lampe & Lindholm, Jahrb. Nassau Ver. Naturk. Wiesbaden, 55, p. 34. 1902b. Mocquard, Bull. Mus. Paris, 8, p. 406. 1902a. Scherer, Blatt. Aquar.-Terr. Kunde, 13, p. 254. 1902a. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 52, pp. 333, 335, 345. 1904. Andersson, in Jagerskiold, Results Swed. Zool. Exp., 1, No. 4, p. 4. 1904. Ferreira, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 7, p. 116. 1905c. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), 16, p. 113. 1905h. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 255. 1906L Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 2, p. 214. 1907a. Boulenger, Mem. Proc. Lit. Phil. Soc. Manchester, 51, p. 11. 1907j. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 487. 1907a. Roux, Revue Suisse Zool., 15, p. 77. 1908. Gough, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 1, p. 29. 1908. Leiper, Third Rep. Wellcome Res. Lab. Khartoum, p. 194. 1908b. Mocquard, in Foa, Result. Sci. Voy. Afrique Foa, p. 558. 1908a. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 3, pp. 412, 428. 1908b. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, pp. 218, 233. 1908c. Sternfeld (part), Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, pp. 241, 244, 246. 1908. Werner, 1907, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 116, 1, p. 1879. 1908a. Werner, Third Rep. Wellcome Res. Lab. Khartoum, p. 171. 1909a. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 4, p. 193. 1909b. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 4, p. 303. 1909. Chubb, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 596. 1909b. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 1, pt. 1, p. 21. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 514. 1910a. Hewitt, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 2, p. 57. 1910. Roux, Revue Suisse Zool., 18, p. 99. 1910a. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 3, pt. 2, p. 30. 1910b. Sternfeld (part), Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 27. 1910c. Sternfeld (part), Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 56. 1910d. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 64. 1911c. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 5, p. 166. 1911. Lampe, Jahrb. Nassau Ver. Naturk. Wiesbaden, 64, p. 201. 1911. Lonnberg, Svenska. Vetensk.-Akad. Handl., 47, No. 6, p. 23. 1911a. Sternfeld, Sitz. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin, p. 250. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 123, 125, 132. 1912. Hewitt, Rec. Albany Mus., 2, p. 272. 1912. Hobley, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, 3, p. 51, fig. loveridge: African snakes 33 1912. Peracca, Ann. Museo Zool. Univ. Napoli, 3, No. 25, p. 6. 1913. Barbour, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 26, p. 148. 1913. Boettger, in Voeltzkow, Reise in Ostafrika, 3, pp. 353, 361. 1913. Lonnberg & Andersson, Arkiv. Zool., 8, No. 20, p. 4. 1913a. Werner, in Brehm, Tierleben, ed. 4, 4, p. 399, pi. - 1914. Fowler, Copeia, p. 1. 1914a. Hewitt, S. African Journ. Sci., 10, p. 246. 1915a. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 213. 1915c. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 631. 1915d. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 653. 1916. Andersson (part), Meddel. Goteb. Musei Zool. Afdel., No. 9, pp. 36, 40. 1916a. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 22, p. 75. 1916f. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 22, p. 377. 1916a. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, 5, p. 85. 1917b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 23, p. 12. 1917a. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, 6, p. 158. 1918b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 24, p. 165. 1918a. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, No. 13, p. 328. 1919b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 290. 1919c Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc London, p. 305. 1919g. Boulenger, Revue Zool. Afr., 7, p. 26. 1919d. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 25, p. 568. 1919. Werner, Denks. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 96, p. 503. 1920d. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 26, p. 464. 1921b. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris, 27, p. 141. 1922a. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris, 28, p. 40. 1922. Lonnberg, Arkiv. Zool., 14, No. 12, p. 7. 1923e. Loveridge, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 886. 1923. Schmidt, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 49, p. 111. 1925a. Calabresi, Atti. Soc Ital. Sci. Nat., 64, p. 108. 1925b. Calabresi, Atti. Soc Ital. Sci. Nat., 64, p. 125. 1925b. Flower, Proc Zool. Soc. London, p. 971. 1925. Werner (part), 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1926a. Mertens, Senckenbergiana, 8, p. 153. 1926b. Mertens, Zool. Anz., 68, p. 326. 1927. Calabresi, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 66, p. 55. 1927b. Hewitt, S. African Journ. Sci., 24, p. 455. 1928. Cott, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 953. 1928d. Loveridge, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 73, Art. 17, p. 55. 1928g. Loveridge, Bull. Antivenin Inst. America, 2, p. 39, fig. 6. 1928b. Scortecci, Atti. Soc Ital. Sci. Nat., 67, p. 303. 1929h. Loveridge, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 151, p. 32. 1929. WTorthington, Rep. Fish. Survey Lakes Albert & Kioga, p. 124. 1930a. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 69, pp. 202, 213. 1930c Scortecci, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Univ. Torino (3), 41, No. 10, p. 20. 34 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1930b. Zavattari, in Bono, Miss. Sci. Eritrea, pp. 193, 194, fig. 15. 1931. Mann, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, 21, pp. 392, 397. 1931. Monard, Bull. Soc. Neuchatel. Sci. Nat., 65, p. 105. 1931. Pellegrin, Bull. Mus. Paris (2), 3, p. 217. 1931. Power, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa, 20, pp. 43, 48. 1933b. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris (2), 5, p. 69. 1933f. Angel, Les Serpens Afrique Occ. Franc., p. 162, figs. 61-61a. 1933. Flower, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 824. 1933h. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 74, p. 255. 1933. Schmidt, Ann. Carnegie Mus., 22, p. 14. 1933j. Witte, Revue Zool. Bot, Afr., 24, p. 123. 1933m. Witte, Ann. Mus. Congo Beige, Zool. (1), 3, p. 93. 1933. Zavattari, Rinnovamento Medico, 1, p. 14. 1934. Pellegrin, Mem. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique Nord, 4, p. 51. 1934. Pitman, Rep. Faunal Survey N. Rhodesia, p. 297. 1934a. Scortecci, Natura (Milano), 25, p. 60, fig. 24. 1935a. Corkhill, Sudan Govt. Mus. Publ. No. 3, p. 20. 1935. Cott, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 969. 1935b. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 16, p. 317. 1936h. Loveridge, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., 22, p. 38. 1936j. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, p. 262. 1937. Andersson, Ark. Zool., 29A, No. 16, p. 8. 1937c. Loveridge, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 89, p. 276. 1937f. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, pp. 493, 496. 1937d. Mertens, Ver. Deutschen Kol.-Ubersee Mus. Bremen, 2, p. 8. 1937b. Monard, Arqu. Museu Bocage, Lisboa, 8, pp. 128, 131. 1937. Pitman, LTganda Journ., 4, p. 233, pi. xi, fig. 4, pi. K, fig. 4. 1937. Uthmoller, Temminckia, 11, p. 119. 1938. Angel & Lhote, Bull. Com. Etudes Afrique Occ. Franc., 21, p. 367. 1938. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 19, p. 157. 1938e. Mertens, Senckenbergiana, 20, p. 441. 1938a. Pitman, Uganda Journ., 5, pp. 215, 233. 1938. Uthmoller, Zool. Anz., 124, p. 45. 1939a. Scortecci, Ann. Mus. Genova, 63, p. 282. 1939c. Scortecci, Gli Ofidi Velenosi dell' Africa Italiana, p. 147, figs. 36,^80-81 . 1939. Someren, Journ, E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, 14, p. 156. 1837. Psammophis moniUger Schlegel (part), Essai Phys. Serp.,[2, p/207, pi. viii, figs. 4-5. 1854. Dumeril & Bibron (part), Erpct. Gen., 7, p. 891. 1854. Peters (part), Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 623. 1855. Peters (part), Arch. Naturg., 21, 1, p. 53. 1862b. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 274. 1869b. Peters, Ofver. Kongl. Vetensk.-Akad. Forh., p. 661. 1884a. Rochebrune, Faune Senegambie. Rept., p. 165. loveridge: African snakes 35 1848. Psammosaurus moniliger Bianconi, Spec. Zool. Mossambicana, p. 27 (misprint). 1856b. Psammophis irregularis Fischer, Abh. Geb. Natur. Hamburg, 3, p. 92: Peki, Gold Coast. 1858c. Glinther, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., p. 137. 1860. Dumeril, Arch. Mus. Paris, 10, p. 208, pi. xvii, fig. 9. 1870. Jan, Icon. Gen. Ophid., livr. 34, pi. iv, figs. 1-2. 1884a. Rochebrune, Faune Senegambie. Rept., p. 166. 1884b. Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 9, p. 201. 1893c. Matschie, Mitt. Fors. Gel. Deutsch Schutzgeb., 6, p. 212. 1862b. Psammophis punctatus Peters (not Dumeril & Bibron), Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 274. 1878a. Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 207. 1867a. Psammophis elegans Bocage (part, not Shaw), Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, 1, p. 226. 1867b. Psammophis moniliger var. bilitieatus Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 237: Otjimbingue, South-West Africa. 1869b. Peters, Ofver. Kongl. Vetensk.-Akad. Forh., p. 661. 1881b. Psammophis bre.virostris Peters (part), Sitz. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Ber- lin, p. 89: Xa Matlale, Southeast Africa. 1891a. Matschie, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., 5, p. 609. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 166. 1898. Sclater, Ann. S. African Mus., 1, p. 100. 1898. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 48, p. 212. 1899a. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 49, p. 148. 1907c. Roux, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., 25, p. 738. 1908. Gough, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 1, p. 29. 1908b. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, pp. 218, 233. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 514. 1910b. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 28. 1910c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 56. 1911. Lampe, Jahrb. Nassau Ver. Naturk. Wiesbaden, 64, p. 201. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 123, 125. 1915c. Werner, in Michaelsen, Beitr. Kennt. .D.-Siidwestafrikas, p. 364. 1921a. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris, 27, p. 42. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1931. Monard, Bull. Soc. Neuchatel. Sci. Nat., 55, p. 105. 1933j. Witte, Revue Zool. Bot. Afr., 24, p. 123. 1933m. Witte, Ann. Mus. Congo Beige, Zool. (1), 3, p. 93. 1936. Cowles, Copeia, p. 8. 1937b. Monard, Arqu. Museu Bocage, Lisboa, 8, pp. 128, 133. 1937. Pitman, Uganda Journ., 4, p. 239, pi. xi, fig. 7, pi. L, fig. 4. 1938a. Pitman, Uganda Journ., 5, p. 216. 1882a. Psammophis sibilans var. mossambica Peters, Reise nach Mossambique, 3, p. 122: Mozambique Id., etc., Mozambique. 36 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1882a. Psammophis sibilans var. tettensis Peters, Reise nach Mossambique, 3, p. 122: Tete and Mozambique Id., Mozambique. 1884a. Psammophis sibilans var. intermedins Fischer, Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 1, p. 14: Arusha, Tanganyika Territory. 1884c. Fischer, Abh. Naturw. Ver. Hamburg, 8, Art. 3, p. 9. 1884a. Rochebrune, Faune Senegambie. Rept., p. 166. 1893. Pfeffer, Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 10, p. 86. 1894a. Gimther, 1893, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 618. 1898. Johnston, British Cent. Africa, p. 361a. 1887a. Psammophis sibilans var. leopardinus Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, 11, p. 206: Catumbella and Interior of Mossamedes, Angola. 1891b. Psammophis sibilans irregularis Matschie, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., 5, p. 615. 1899a. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 49, p. 148. 1913a. Werner, in Brehm, Tierleben, ed. 4, 4, p. 399. 1896b. Psammophis subtaeniatus Mocquard (not Peters), Compte Rendu Soc. Philom. Paris, p. 45. 1912c. Sternfeld, Wiss. Deutschen Zent.-Afrika Exped., 4, p. 273. 1928d. Loveridge (part), Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 73, Art. 17, p. 55. 1933h. Loveridge (part), Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 74, p. 254. 1938a. Pitman (part), Uganda Journ., 5, p. 233. 1908. Psammophis thomasi Gough, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 1, p. 30, fig.: Salis- bury Southern Rhodesia. 1910a. Psammophis notostictus Sternfeld (not Peters), Die Fauna Deutschen KoL, 3, pt. 2, p. 29. 1933m. Witte, Ann. Mus. Congo Beige, Zool. (1), 3, p. 93. 1910a. Psammophis regularis Sternfeld (not Sternfeld, 1910a), Die Fauna Deutschen KoL, 3, pt. 2, p. 29. I916f. Psammophis Shokari (sic) Chabanaud (not Forsk 1), Bull. Mus. Paris, 22, p. 377. 1917b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 23, p. 12. 1918b. Psammophis trinasalis Chabanaud, (not Werner)', Bull. Mus. Paris, 24, p. 166. Synonymy. Linne's type of sibilans, still in existence in Upsala Museum, has been figured by Anderson (1898, p. 306, fig. 12) and its identity well established. In addition to the synonyms listed above, typical sibilans has been recorded as elegans (not Shaw), punctatus (not Dumeril & Bibron), furcatus (not Peters), and subtaeniatus (not Peters). On the other hand, references to sibilans in the literature are referred by me to every one of its subspecies as recognized here, as well as to both forms of subtaeniatus and to bitaeniatus tanganicus. Linne himself, by his reference to Seba, confused it with crucifer. loveridge: African snakes 37 The findings of Hewitt (1912, p. 272), who adduced good evidence for the synonymizing of brevirostris with sibilans appear to have been overlooked or disregarded by later workers who have continued to record brevirostris from Togo, Cameroon, Congo, and elsewhere. My own references (1916a, 1917h, 1918a) to brevirostris as occurring near Nairobi are referable to the snake which I later described as Trimeror- hinus tritaeniatus multisquamis. Though there is a very slight average difference in the subcaudal counts of sibilans from Egypt and Natal, it is insufficient to warrant recognition of a southeastern race. Werner's P. brevirostris temporalis is referred to Dromophis lineatus. Names. Neither of the English names for this snake are very for- tunate, that of Beauty Snake, proposed by Flower (1933) is inap- propriate for the olive or dun coloured reptiles of East Africa, while the generic term Sand-Snake is less applicable to the typical race than to its more desert icolous congeners like schokari and notost ictus. Hissing Sand-Snake or African Beauty Snake (English). In the cen- tral Sudan it is not distinguished from the preceding race, being, ac- cording to Corkhill, called abu far, abu feiran, abu sa aifa, um sot and zerrag (Arabic, Sudan) ; mayitt and tomai (Hadendoa, Sudan, for uni- form and striped varieties respectively); burusam (Nubas of Tindia) achel (Tourareg, French Sudan); danesnona (Peulh, French Sudan) sabondo (Habbe, French Sudan); sadie (Bambara, French Sudan) enyeneropi (Teso, Uganda); sebusaru (Toro, Uganda); karwekarwe or kalwekalwe (Ganda, Uganda); namasanurugi (Gishu, Uganda); aerenet (Elgonyi Masai, Kenya); ndasiangombe (Teita, Kenya); jukaa or paa (Pokomo, Kenya); yamuwe (Nyamwezi, Tanganyika); nyalwinzi or nyidsenga (Yeye, Tanganyika); tine (Sandawi, Tanganyika); nyam- hando (Gogo, Tanganyika); mlalu (Rungu, Tanganyika); ngaruka (Nyakusa, Tanganyika); nachungu (Makonde and Yao, Tanganyika); swaga (Swahili, Tanganyika); musaluhe (Mozambique); surira (Chis- ena, Mozambique); suela (Benguela, Angola); blaas zand-slang (Afri- kaans, Transvaal). Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above; snout once and a third to twice1 as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than or equal to a supraocular, as long as or slightly longer or shorter than a parietal, as long as or slightly longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 or 3 shields; loreal once and a half to twice and a half as long as deep; preocular 1, rarely 2, usually sepa- 1 Twice according to Boulenger; once and two thirds my longest. A. L. 38 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology rated from, rarely in contact with, the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 3; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 2 + 1, 1 + 1, 1 + 2, or 3 + 3; upper labials 8, rarely 7 or 9, fourth and fifth, rarely third and fourth, fifth and sixth, or fourth, fifth and sixth,1 entering the orbit; 4, rarely 5, lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than or as long as the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 151-1862; anal divided, rarely entire; subcaudals3 78-121. Coloration. Very variable. Boulenger (1896d) furnishes descriptions of six color forms, and the literature teems with variants of these. Above, olive, brown, or yellowish ; head of young usually with yellow, black-edged longitudinal streaks anteriorly and transverse ones pos- teriorly, these markings usually disappearing in the adults; lips yel- lowish white with, or without, dark spots; body usually uniform or with a narrow yellow vertebral line and a yellow band along each side of the back. Below, plumbeous gray or yellowish white, uniform, or young with a series of dusky lateral dashes longitudinally arranged, or adults (in Central Lake Region and Sudan) with a faint brown lateral line, rarely distinct as in subtaeniatus ; some Angolan specimens exhibit short horizontal dashes corresponding with each ventral as in Dromo- phis lineatus. The pigmentation of the iris, arrangement of vessels and circular pupil are described by Mann (1931). Measurements. Largest cf measures 1500 mm. from Belgian Congo (Schmidt); largest d* for Tanganyika measures 1482 (1120 -f- 362) mm., and largest 9 measures 1504 (1100 + 404) mm., both from Morogoro (Loveridge) ; largest Egyptian example measures 1445 mm. (Flower). Breeding. In Northern Rhodesia Pitman observed a mating pair in the Luangwa Valley, July 20; while a recently hatched brood were en- countered at Broken Hill on September 24. On November 29 at Butiaba ? eggs measuring 17x11 mm. in a 9 . On December 13 at Sipi 4 eggs measuring 13x 6 mm. in a 9 . On December 21 at Bundibugyo 9 eggs measuring 15x 9 mm. in a 9 . On January 18 at Butandiga 10 eggs measuring 27x10 mm. in a 9 . On January 18 at Butandiga 7 eggs measuring 38x19 mm. in a 9 . These last were ready for deposition. All four localities are in LTganda (Loveridge). Longevity. 10 years, 4 months, and 2 days in Giza zoo (Flower). Diet. Young snakes live on frogs and lizards, adults on mammals, 1 On one side in a Paderburn snake recorded by FitzSimons (1938). 2 198 recorded for a Zanzibar snake by Boulenger, rechecked as 168. 3 41 of Monard (1937b) and 71 of Bocage, probably regenerated tails. loveridge: African snakes 39 and occasionally birds if Fleck's (1894) record of a titmouse (Parus afer) is accepted. For detailed account of feeding habits, see Loveridge (1928g) from whom the following records are taken. Frog (Rana m. mascareniensis) at Nyamkolo, and (Arthroleptis minutus) at Mwaya; geckos (Hemidactylus mabouia) at Morogoro; tree agama {Agama atricollis) at Bukori; lizards (Nucras b. boulengeri) in Unyanganyi, (Eremias s. spekii) at Mangasini; yellow-throated lizard (Gerrhosaurus f. flavigularis) in captivity at Morogoro; skink (Mabuya maculilabris) at Mwaya; account of skink (M. v. varia) being chased at Mbanja; tail of skink (Riopa sundevallii) at Nchingidi. Shrews (Crocidura t. zaodon) at Kitala; rat (Rattus r. kijabius) at Mangasini; rat {Oenomys b. editus) at Kaimosi; striped mouse (Lem- niscomys s. massaicus) at Butandiga; pigmy mouse (Leggada b. bella) at Morogoro. Parasites. Tick (Aponomma falsolaeve) at Morogoro (Bequaert). Nematodes (Kalicephalus sp) on White Nile (Leiper) and at Kitala, Mwanza and Mwaya; (Physaloptera paradoxa) at Kaimosi and Mwaya; (Polydelphis quadricomis) at Lumbo; (Spiuroidea 9 ) at Mangasini and on Ukerewe Island. For account of snake dying from heavy infes- tation, see Loveridge (1923e, p. 887). Hemogregarines (H. brendae) at Entebbe (Pitman). Enemies. Taken by a fishing eagle (Haliactus v. vocifer) in Sudan (Werner, 1908 (1907) ) ; detailed account of the seizing of a sand-snake by another species of eagle at Morogoro, given by Loveridge (1928g) ; twice recovered from the stomachs of black-breasted harrier-eagles (Circaetus g. pecioralis), once from a common harrier-eagle (C. cinereus) and once from a cobra (Naja n. nigricollis) in Loveridge (1923e, etc.). Habitat. In Egypt found only along the Nile and places irrigated by the Nile, as the Fayum and Delta, according to Flower (1933) whose paper should be consulted for details. Both in Egypt and in the Sudan he encountered it in gardens and cultivated areas. In East Africa it is a species of the coastal plain to upland savanna (sea level to 7,000 feet), showing a preference for bush along water courses rather than for the eroded desert-like areas frequented by P. subtaeniatus sudanensis. On the other hand it avoids rain forest though it may be encountered on the outskirts. Localities. Algeria (extreme south): Amguid; Atakor-n-Ahaggar; Djanet; Ideles, north of Hoggar; Tigen Davuo; Tirahart (Tigharghart) plateau; Tamrit. Egypt: Abbasa (Abbasiyeh); Abu Roash nr. Giza; Aswan (Assuan); Beltim; Cairo; Fayum; Giza; Luxor; Mehallet el Kebir (Mekalla el Kobra) ; Minia; Tel el Amarna. Anglo-Egyptian 40 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Sudan: Barboi; Fazogli; Gabt el Meghahid; Gebel Debri; Kadugli; Khartoum; Khor Attar; Lul; Magangani; Sennar; Sururu; Tonga; Uma River to Khor River (Uma Khor); Urn Orug; Wau. Eritrea: Adi Ugri; Anseba Valley; Barentu; *Chenafena; Cheren; Elaghim (Elaghin); Ghinda; Mai Mafeles (Mabellis); Maldi; Saganeita. Ethiopia: Arusi; Ado (Audo) Mountains; Daro Takle (Tacle); Gondar; Hawash (as Haceash) ; Sheik Hussein. British Somaliland: Inland of Berbera (Boulenger, 1896d) ; Las Gore, Warsingali (Ouar- sangueilis. Italian Somaliland: Abdallah; Belet Amin; Duca degli Abruzzi; Kismayu and Mofl. Uganda: Ankole; Budongo Forest; Bundibugyo; Bussu; Butandiga; Butiaba; Entebbe; Gulu, Acholi; Jinja; Kampala; Katebo; Katunguru; Katwe; Kitala; Lake Kioga; Lira, Lango; Mount Debasien; Mount Elgon at 6,800 feet; Mabira Forest; Matema; Ongino; Rhino Camp; Semliki Valley; Serere; Sese (Ussi) Islands; Sipi; Ungora; Wadelai. Kenya Colony: Bissel; Bukori; Bura; Chyulu Hills; Eldoret; Fort Hall; Golbanti; Jilore; Juja Farm ; Kaimosi ; Kedong Valley ; Kibwezi ; Kilifi ; Kitui ; Kyambu ; Maehakos; Malindi; Mazeras; Mombasa; Mount Elgon; Mount Mbololo; Muddo Erelle (Pozzi Meddo Erelle); Nairobi; Nakuru; Ndi; Ngatana; Xjoro; Peceetoni; Sokoki Forest; Taveta; Teita; Uasin Gishu; Voi; Witu. Tanganyika Territory: Amani; Amboni near Tanga; Arusha; Bagamoyo; Bukoba; Chanzuru; Dar es Salaam; Igale; Kagehi; Kerogwe; Kibwezi; Kidudu on Lungo River; Kilosa; Kitaya; Magasini; Matete Bach; Mbanja; Mikindani; Moshi; Mount Kilimanjaro; Mserere; Mwaya; Xchingidi ; Pangani Falls ; Pentambili ; Sanya; Saranda; Shinyanga; Tanga; Tukuyu; Ujiji, Ukerewe Island; Unyanganyi; Wembere. Zanzibar: Kumbuni; Zanzibar. Mozam- bique: Beira; Boror; Cabaeeira; Charre; Inhambane; Inhaminga; Matlale; Mbusi; Mesuril; Mgaza; Mozambique Island; Querimba Island; Quilimane; Rikatla; Tete; Xa Matlale. Nyasaland: Karonga to Kondowe; Masuku Mountains; Xkata Bay to Ruarwe; Shire Highlands; Zomba. Northern Rhodesia: Broken Hill; Feira dis- trict; Ikombo; Kazungula; Lealui (Lialui) ; Luangwa Valley; Mumbwa district; Munyamadzi River; Xamwala district; Xyamkolo; Zom Store. Southern Rhodesia: Bulawavo; Gwamavava River; Kafue River; Mashonaland; Mazoe; Salisbury; Swena's. Bechuanaland Protectorate: Gemsbok; Kabulabula; Kaotwe; Linokana; Makari- kari; Maun; Mmoouve; Serowe; Shaleshonto; Shorobe. Transvaal: Comati and Crocodile Rivers; Irene; Kaapmuiden; Leysdorp; Louw's Creek; Lydenburg district; Mphome; Pretoria; Rustenburg district; Selati; Shilowane; Wonderboom. Zululand: Kosi Bav; Mseleni. loveridge: African snakes 41 Natal: Durban (Port Natal); Greenwood Park; Lower Illovo; Pie- termaritzburg ; Pinetown; Umzumbe Valley. Orange Free State: Kroonstadt. Cape Province: Tulbagh. (Port Elizabeth record rejected). South-West Africa: Erongo Mountains; Gobabis; Han- tam ; Kamanyab ; Luderitz Bay; Oshikango; Otjimbingue; Paderburn Farm. Angola: Ambriz; Caconda; Catumbela; Cazengo; Chitau; Cubal; Cuma; Duque de Braganca; Ebanga; Galanga; Hanha; Huila; Kalukembe (Caluquembe) ; Kakindo (Caquindo) ; Katenge (Catengue) ; Kayundo; Kuvanga; Loanda Island; Mossamedes ; Mupa; Mupanda; Port Alexander; Pungo Adungo (Andongo); Quilengues; Quissangues; Rio Cuce; San Antonio; Vila da Ponte. Cabinda: Cabinda; Chin- choxo; Chingo. Belgian Congo: Abimoa; Albertville; Arebi; Ava- kubi; Banana; Banziville; Baudouinville; Beni; Boma; Bukama; Dika; Dilolo; Djalasinda; Dramba; Duma; Elisabethville ; Faradje; Gabiro; Gandu; Garamba; Gatsibu; Kansenia; Kapiri; Kikondja; Kunungu; Lukafu; Mahagi Port; Mauda; Moanda; Monbuttu; Niangara; Nyonga; Povo Nemlao; Povo Netonna; Tembwe; Zambi. French Equatorial Africa: Abiras; Cape Lopez; Cette Cama (Sette Kama) ; Fernand Vaz ; Fort Archimbault ; Kusseri near Fort Lamy . Nigeria: Asaba; Lagos; Niger River mouth; Yola. Dahomey: Abomey; Agouagou; Cotonou. Togoland: Bismarckburg; Kantindi; Kete. Gold Coast: Ashanti; Oudmose; Peki. French Guinea: Kouroussa. Portuguese Guinea: Bissau; Bolama; Cacheu; Rio Cassini (Cassine). Gambia: MacCarthy Island. Senegal: Bakel; Dakar; Guenoto; Matam to Kaidi (Kaedi) ; Niani (Nianing) ; Rufisque. French West Africa: Bandiagara; Kati near Bamako; Mopti; Timbuktu. Distribution. The typical form is found in suitable localities (see above) from Egypt to Natal on the east, while on the west it occurs from Mauretania to the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan (outside the forested areas occupied by P. s. phillipsii) south through the French and Bel- gian Congo to northern South-West Africa where it encounters several other races. PSAMMOPHIS SIBILANS PHILLIPSII (Hallowell) 1844a. Coluber Phillipsii Hallowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 169: Liberia. 1854a. Psammophis Phillipsii Hallowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 100. 1857. Hallowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 69. 1860. Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 554. 42 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1885d. Psammophis sp. (Phillipsii Hall. ?) Mtiller, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 7, p. 686. 1887b. Psammophis sibilans Mocquard (part, not Linne), Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris (7), 11, p. 78. 1890. Buttikofer, Reisebilder aus Liberia, 2, p. 478. 1901. Schenkel, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 13, p. 172. 1902b. Mocquard, Bull. Mus. Paris, 8, p. 415. 1902a. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 52, p. 338. 1906. Johnston, Liberia, 2, p. 832. 1909. Gendre, Extr. Compt. Rendus in Actes Soc. Linn. Bordeaux, 63, p. cvi. 1913. Klaptocz, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., 34, p. 286. 1917. Sternfeld, Zweit. Deutschen Zent.-Afrika-Exped., 1, pp. 409, 478. 1921a. Chabanaud, Bull. Com. Etudes Afrique Occ. Franc., p. 470. 1921b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 27, p. 525. 1922. Aylmer (part ?), Sierra Leone Studies, 5, pp. 15, 21. 1925. Werner (part), 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1930a. Barbour & Loveridge, in Strong, Rep. Harvard-Afr. Exped. Liberia . .Congo, 2, p. 773. 1893c. Psammophis notosticta Matschie (not Peters), Mitt. Fors. Gel. Deutsch Schutzgeb., 6, p. 212. 1908a. Psammophis regularis Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 3, p. 412: Cameroon and Togo. 1908b. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, pp. 218, 233. 1909b. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 1, pt. 1, p. 21. 1916L Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 22, p. 377. 1917b. Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 23, p. 12. 1921b. Angel (part), Bull. Mus. Paris, 27, p. 141. 1919. Psammophis sibilans var. occidentalis Werner, Denks. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 96, p. 504: Togo to Congo. 1938d. Psammophis sibilans phillipsii Loveridge, Proc. New Eng. Zool. Club, 17, p. 59. Synonymy. As Hallowell, in his original description of -phillipsii, made no mention of the single anal, Boulenger (1896d, p. 161) very naturally placed it in the synonymy of sibilans, to which species most authors have referred their material though commenting on the single anal. It was this character which led Matschie (1893c, p. 212) to rele- gate a Togo specimen to notostictvs. I now refer regularis and occi- dentalis to the synonymy of phillipsii though some doubt is enter- tained regarding this disposition of occidentalis as no type was desig- nated, the name being proposed for a color form, and the author stating that he considered a single or divided anal of no taxonomic importance in this genus, which remark makes it appear possible that he included some typical sibilans material. loveridge: African snakes 43 For further comments on the distribution of this race see Remarks. Name. Joppaguri (Temne, Sierra Leone). Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above; snout once and a quarter to once and a half as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than or equal to a supraocular, as long as or slightly longer or shorter than a parietal, much longer than its distance from the end of the snout ; nostril between 2 or 3 shields ; loreal once and two thirds to twice and a half as long as deep; preocular 1, separated from the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 3; temporals 2+2 or 2+3 (3+2 fide F. Miiller, 1885d, p. 686); upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are as long as or shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 162-182; anal entire; subcaudals 89-109. Coloration. Above, greenish olive or brown, uniform, or each scale edged with darker, rarely a vertebral line faintly indicated; head of young with pattern of typical sibilans, head of adults with conspicuous scattered black spots. Below, greenish or yellowish white, chin and throat spotted with black; belly uniform or punctate with each ventral shield transversely barred with black across its basal portion; tail uni- form or each subcaudal shield with a black spot in its centre. Sternfeld (1908b, p. 218) states that all eleven Togo snakes were uni- form brown above and without stripes. Both uniform and speckled forms occur in Liberia. Measurements. Largest c? measures 1350 (935 + 415) mm. from Monrovia, Liberia (M.C.Z. 913). Sternfeld's largest entire example measured 1320 (930 + 390) mm. and was from Togo. Diet. Rodents (Sternfeld and Werner). Habitat. Sternfeld's (1908a, p. 412) suggestion that regularis had a coastal distribution in Cameroon and Togo while typical sibilans oc- cupied the hinterland, is applicable to phillipsii only to the extent that the latter's distribution coincides with that of the rain forest which is largely a broad belt from the French Congo to Liberia along the coast except for the area from Lagos to Accra where the dry conditions of the interior extend to the coast. Localities. French Equatorial Africa: Fort Archambault; Gri- bingui region; Shari River. French Congo: Brazzaville. French Cameroon: Bipindi. Dahomey: Agouagou. Togo: Atakpame; Kete; Misahohe. Ivory Coast. Liberia: Ganta; Du River Planta- tion No. 3; Monrovia. Sierra Leone. French Guinea: Beyla; 44 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Dieke; Dixine Foulah; Dubreka; Kerouane; Labe; Los Island; Ma- centa; Nzebela; Nzerekore. Distribution. Rain-forest region from French Equatorial Africa to southern Nigeria, again from Dahomey to Sierra Leone where it meets with P. s. sibilans as at other points all along its northern limits. This apparently strange distribution can best be understood by reference to Meunier's map of Afrique Occidentale Francaise, 1925, showing the forested areas. Remarks. It will be noted that this race as well as typical P. s. sibilans occur in the Gribingui region (Angel, 1921b, p. 141) as well as at Nzebela for one of the nine snakes from this locality had a divided anal. Though this was the only snake out of twenty-three which he collected in French Guinea that had a divided anal, Chabanaud (1921b, p. 525) referred all to sibilans (sensu strictu), and decided to synonymize regularis with sibilans! Sternfeld's (1910a, p. 29) record of regularis as occurring at Amani, Usambara Mountains, Tanganyika Territory, while interesting, is re- ferred to P. s. sibilans, the snake being regarded as aberrant. PSAMMOPHIS SIBILANS NOTOSTICTUS Peters 1858c. Psammophis sibilans Giinther (part, not Linne), Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., p. 136. 1887b. Boettger, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 159. 1867b. Psammophis moniliger var. notostictus Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 237: Otjimbingue, South-West Africa. lS69b. Peters, Ofver. Kongl. Vetensk.-Akad. Forh., p. 661. 1878. Psammophis sp. Miiller, Verh. Xaturf. Ges. Basel, 6, pp. 610, 679. 1887a. Psammophis sibilans var. stenocephalias Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa, 11, p. 205: Interior of Mossamedes, Angola. 1895a. Bocage, Herp. Angola Congo, p. 116. 1888b. Psammophis sibilans var. notostictus Fischer, Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 5, p. 12. 1894a. Boettger, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 91. 1895b. Psammophis notostictus Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 538. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 156. 1898. Sclater, Ann. S. African Mus., 1, p. 100. 1901. Schenkel, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 13, p. 172. 1903e. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), 12, p. 217. 1907c. Roux, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., 25, p. 736. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 513. 1910b. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 26, fig. 29. 1910c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 56. loveridge: African snakes 45 1910a. Werner, Denks. Med. Nat. Ges. Jena, 16, p. 360. 1911. Lampe, Jahrb. Nassau Verh. Naturk. Wiesbaden, 55, p. 200. 1912. FitzSimons, F. Wr., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 122, 123. 1912. Hewitt, Rec. Albany Mus., 2, pp. 268, 270. 1913. Hewitt & Power, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa, 3, p. 163. 1914b. Methuen & Hewitt, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 4, p. 144. 1915c. Werner, in Michaelsen, Beitr. Kennt. D.-Siidwestafrikas, p. 364. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1929. Rose, Veld & Vlei, p. 163. 1935a. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 15, p. 522. 1935. Power, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 334. 1936c. Parker, Novit. Zool., 40, p. 125. 1937e. Hewitt, Guide Vert. Fauna E. Cape Prov., S. A. II, p. 63, fig. 1. 1937b. Monard, Arqu. Museu Bocage, Lisboa, 8, p. 128. 1938. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 19, p. 158. 1915c. Psammophis Leightoni Werner (not Boulenger), in Michaelsen, Beitr. Kennt. D.-Sudwestafrikas, p. 365, fig. 3 (but anal divided). Synonymy. In addition to stenocephalus, the synonymy includes references to typical sibilans and Werner's (1915c, p. 365) Swakop- mund snake with a divided anal which he referred to leightoni. References to notosticius which are transferred elsewhere, include Matschie's (1893c, p. 212) Togo P. s. phillipsii; Sternfeld's (1910a, p. 29) Bagamoyo and Langenburg snakes; Loveridge's (1916a, p. 25 and 1924b, p. 6) to a skin without locality; Witte's (1933m, p. 93) from Albertville, etc., all of which are regarded as aberrant individuals of P. s. sibilans. Names. Whip-Snake (English, South-West Africa, fide Hewitt). Description. Rostral broader than deep, visible from above; snout once and a third to once and two thirds as long as the eye ; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parietal, longer than its distance from the end of the snout ; nostril between 2 or 3 shields; loreal once and a half to twice and a half as long as deep; preoculars 2, rarely 1, in contact with, rarely separated from, the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 3; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 4- 3, rarely 1 + 2 or 1 4- 1; upper labials 81, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are much shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 157-179; anal entire, rarely divided; subcaudals 81-106. 1 Parker's (1936c, p. 125) Maltahohe record with 9 upper labials, fourth, fifth and sixth enter ing the orbit, is aberrant and apparently not sub. subtaenialus. 46 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Coloration. Above, olive or pale sandy brown; head uniform or with light-centered dark spots in centre of each scale, pre- and post-oculars yellowish white as are also the upper labials of which the anterior are usually spotted with black; usually a black spot or pair of spots in the centre of each vertebral scale which is otherwise light colored and frequently forming a distinct, though fine, vertebral line; rarely an obsolescent indistinct light lateral stripe, with or without small black spots along its upper edge. Below, as well as the lower half of outer scale-row, white, yellowish, or olive, sometimes a well defined median yellow band down the centre; chin, throat and anterior ventrals often flecked with bluish gray or black. Measurements. Largest c? measures 1366 (960 + 406) mm. from Namib Desert (M.C.Z. 43425); largest 9 measures 865 (577 + 288) mm. from Luderitz Bay (Werner). Diet. Lizards. Habitat. Shows a preference for sandy soil; climbs trees to some extent (Hewitt). Uncommon on the Cape Peninsula where it is con- fined to the mountain apparently (Rose). Localities. Orange Free State: Orange River; Smithfield. Cape- Province: Alicedale; Beaufort West; Brakkloof; Burghersdorp ; Caledon; Capetown; Ceres; Cradock; De Aar; Deelfontein; Drie- koppen; Fauresmith; Fort Brown; Graff Reinet; near, but not at, Grahamstown; Hanover; Kakamas; Kleinpoort; Kuruman; Malms- bury division; Middleburg; O'okiep; 20 miles east of Port Nolloth; Robertson; Steinkop; Stellenbosch ; Tafelberg; Touw's River; Victoria West. South-West Africa: Aus; Gobabis; Groendoorn; Hoffnung; Karas Mountains; Konya, Kalahari; Kubot; Kubub; Kuibis; Luderitz Bay; Maltahohe; Xamib Desert; Xarudas Sud; Okahandja; Orange River; Otjimbingue; Outgo; Prince of Wales Bay; Rietmond; Sand- pund; Seeheim; Swakopmund; Tsaobis; Warmbad; Wasserfall. Angola: Mossamedes — interior; Rio Coroca; Rio San Nicolao. Distribution. Southern Angola and South-West Africa to Cape Province. Records from Belgian Congo, Kenya, Tanganyika and Natal, are, as indicated under Synonymy, based on isolated, aberrant examples of sibilans possessing a single anal. Psammophis sibilans trinasalis Werner 1867b. Psammophis moniliger var. furcatus Peters (not Bianconi), Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 236: Otjimbingue, South- West Africa. 1869b. Peters, Ofver. Kongl. Vetensk.-Akad. Forh., p. 661. 1886. Psammophis sibilans Boettger (not Linne), Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 5. loveridge: African snakes 47 1910b. Sternfeld (part), Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 27, fig. 32. 1910c. Sternfeld (part), Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 56. 1888b. Psammophis sibilans var. furcatus Fischer (not Bianconi), Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 5, p. 12. 1894a. Boettger, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 91. 1937e. Mertens, Ver. Deutschen Kol.-tJbersee Mus. Bremen, 2, p. 15. 1895b. Psammophis furcatus Boulenger (not Bianconi), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 538. 1896d. Boulenger (part), Cat. Snakes, Brit. Mus., 3, p. 164. 1898. Sclater, Ann. S. African Mus., 1, p. 100. 1902. Lampe & Lindholm, Jahrb. Nassau Verh. Naturk. Wiesbaden, 55, p. 59. 1908. Gough, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 1, p. 29. 1909d. Werner, Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 26, p. 247. 1910b. Boulenger (part), Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 513. 1910a. Hewitt, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 2, p. 57. 1910a. Werner (part), Denks. Med. Nat. Ges. Jena, 16, p. 361. 1911. Lampe, Jahrb. Nassau Verh. Naturk. W7iesbaden, 64, p. 201. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 122, 123. 1912. Hewitt (part), Rec. Albany Mus., 2, p. 269. 1913. Hewitt & Power, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa, 3, p. 163. 1915c. Werner, in Michaelsen, Beitr. Kennt. D,-Slidwestafrikas, p. 365. 1918. Power, S. African Journ. Sci., 14, p. 268. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A., p. 141. 1935b. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 16, p. 316. 1938. FitzSimons, V. (part), Ann. Transvaal Mus., 19, p. 157. 1902a. Psammophis sibilans trinasalis WTerner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. WTien, 52, p. 340: Wlndhuk, South- West Africa. 1903. Psammophis trinasalis Werner, Abh. Bayer. Akad. Wiss., 22, p. 381 Synonymy. In addition to references to sibilans, the majority applicable to this form have appeared under the name of furcatus Peters, raised to specific rank by Boulenger (1896d, p. 538). Most un- fortunately, however, this name is preoccupied by Dendrophis furcata Bianconi, 1859, which is a synonym of Psammophis punctulatus punctulatus Dumeril & Bibron. The next name available is that of trinasalis Werner, raised to specific rank by its author in 1903. Actually all western forms of sibilans exhibit a distinct tendency towards the possession of three nasal shields as opposed to the two normally found in typical sibilans on the eastern side of the continent; the character is far too variable to have much value. Chabanaud's (1918b and 1921a) "trinasalis" from Senegal are referred to P. s. schokari. 48 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above; snout once and a half to once and two thirds as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than a supraocular, as long as or longer than a parietal, longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 or 3 shields; loreal once and a quarter to twice as long as deep; preocular 1, rarely 2, broadly in contact with, rarely separated from1, the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 3; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 152-180; anal divided; subcaudals 85-117. Coloration. Above, olive or pale brown, each scale edged or tipped with black; head with a light line from the rostral to the frontal and a pair of light lines extending along the fronto-supraocular suture posteriorly across the parietals, pre- and postoculars yellowish white as are also the upper labials ; a transverse black spot or pair of spots in the centre of each vertebral scale which is otherwise light colored and frequently forming a distinct, though fine, vertebral line; a distinct light lateral stripe, edged above, and sometimes below also, with black. Below, as well as lower half of outer scale-row, white, yellowish, or olive; sometimes a well defined median yellow band down the centre; chin, throat, and anterior ventrals often flecked or streaked with bluish gray or black, the latter sometimes forming a pair of longitudinal lines which unite upon the throat. Measurements. Largest 9 measures 1030 (690 + 340) mm. from Erongo Mountain plateau, South-West Africa (M.C.Z. 43423). Diet. A gecko (Ptcnopus garrulus), agama (Agama h. aculcata), lizards (Eremias lugubris, Scapteira depressa) and skink (Mabuya sp.) have been recorded by Werner. Parasites. Nematodes. Habitat. Sometimes found in thorn trees (Acacia horrida) and hibernating in abandoned termitaria. Localities. Transvaal: Daspoort; Pretoria. Bechuanaland Pro- tectorate: Kaotwe; Kuke; Sunnyside to Gemsbok. 2Cape Province: Aughrabies; Burghersdorp; Gordonia; Kimberly; Kgokong to Kong; Madibi, Nosob River; Rietfontein; Springbok Vlei; Vryburg. South- 1 Separated in a Pretoria snake fide Hewitt (1912, p. 269). 2 Hewitt (1912, p. 269) rightly rejects the Port Elizabeth record of F. W. FitzSimons as erro- neous; if correctly identified then the possibility of its being an escaped individual should be con- sidered. loveridge: African snakes 49 West Africa: Areb near Maltahohe; Aus to Bethanien; Berseba; Gibeon; Kalahari; Keetmanshoop ; Kraaiwater; Kubub-Sinclair Mine; Luderitz Bay; Namib Desert; Okahandja; Okosongomingo Farm; Ovamboland; Omaruru; Onambeke; Otjikondo; Otjimbingue; Reho- both; Rietmond; Rooibank; Windhuk. Distribution. Transvaal, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and adjacent northeastern Cape Province to South- West Africa. Psammophis sibilans leightoni Boulenger 1887b. Psammophis sibilayis Boettger (part, not Linne), Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 159. 1902a. Psammophis leightoni Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1, p. 126, pi. xii: Eerste River Station, Cape Province, Union of S. Africa. 1908. Gough, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 1, p. 29. 1907c. Psammophis furcatus Roux (not Bianconi), Zool. Jahrb. Syst., 25, p. 738. 1910b. Boulenger (part), Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 513. 1910a. Werner (part), Denks. Med. Nat. Ges. Jena, 16, p. 361. 1912. Hewitt (part), Rec. Albany Mus., 2, p. 269. 1936h. Loveridge, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., 22, p. 38. 1938. FitzSimons, V. (part), Ann. Transvaal Mus., 19, p. 157. Synonymy. This extreme southern race has been confused with sibilans and with furcatus Peters (not of Bianconi), here called P. s. trinasalis, from which it differs solely in the light transverse, instead of longitudinal, lines upon the head, and probably in a lowrer average ventral count. Should the differences in marking prove untenable, then leightoni would take precedence over trinasalis and the two have to be merged. Recognition of leightoni appears logical in viewr of what we already know of the differentiation of forms in the Cape Peninsula and adjacent region. Werner's (1915c, p. 365, pi. vii, figs. 3-3a) Swakopmund snake which he refers to leightoni has the coloring of notost ictus with the divided anal of trinasalis, I tentatively refer it to the former which occasionallv may have a divided anal. Description. As in P. s. trinasalis except for two unimportant variations, i.e. the frontal is slightly shorter than a parietal, the loreal twice as long as deep. Scale-counts are: nostril between 2 or 3 shields; preocular 1; postoculars 2; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 1+2; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4 lower labials in 50 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology contact with the anterior sublinguals. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 156-176; anal divided; subcaudals 84-110. Coloration. Above, dark brown; rostral and labials yellow spotted with black, a light (yellow) line from the rostral to the frontal, a pair of light lines along the fronto-supraocular sutures, two pairs of light spots on the parietals, four yellow bars on each side of the head, the first on the preocular, the second on the postoculars, the third extend- ing to the upper surface of the head to unite, or nearly unite, with its fellow on the occiput, sides of neck with dark ocelli edged with bright vellow. Body coloring substantially similar to that described for trinasalis and excellently figured on Boulenger's plate xii. Measurements. Largest 9 measures 1065 (700 4- 365) mm. Stein- kop, Little Namaqualand (Werner). Localities. Cape Province: Capetown; Eerste River Station; Jakalswater to Orange River; Kleinzee; Malmsbury; Port Nolloth and 20 miles north; Steinkop; Stellenbosch. Distribution. Cape Province from western Little Namaqualand to the Cape Peninsula. Psammophis subtaeniatus sudanensis Werner 1884a. Psammophis sibilans subtaeniata Fischer (not Peters), Jahr. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 1, p. 12. 1891a. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 307. 1888. Psammophis sibilans Mocquard (not Linne), Mem. Soc. Philom. Cent. Paris, p. 130. 1893b. Stejneger, Proc. IT. S. Nat. Mus., 16, p. 731. 1910. Meek, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., 7, p. 405. 1895b. Psammophis subtaeniatus Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 538. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 160. 1896. Tornier, Kriechthiere Deutsch-Ost-Afrikas, p. 82. 1897e. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 801. 1897. Tornier, Arch. Naturg., 63, 1, p. 65. 1898. Johnston, British Cent. Africa, p. 361a. 1898. Tornier, in Werther, Mitt. Hoch. Deutseh-Ost-Afrika, p. 297. 1902b. Mocquard, Bull. Mus. Paris, 8, p. 406. 1907. Lonnberg, in Sjostedt, Wiss. Ergeb. Zool. Exped. Kiliman., p. 16. 1908c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, pp. 241, 244. 1908a. Werner, Third Rep. Wellcome Res. Lab. Khartoum, p. 171. 1910a. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 3, pt. 2, p. 30, fig. 33. 1911a. Sternfeld, Sitz. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin, p. 250. loveridge: African snakes 51 1913. Boettger, in Voeltzkow, Reise in Ostafrika, 3, p. 364. 1915c. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 631. 1916a. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, 5, p. 85. 71918. ^alabresi, Mon. Zool. Ital. Firenze, 29, p. 124. 1918a. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. L'ganda Nat. Hist. Soc, No. 13, p. 327. 1919. Werner, Denks. Akad. Wiss. AVien, 96, p. 504. 1923e. Loveridge, Proc Zool. Soc London, p. 884. 1924b. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. LTganda Nat. Hist. Soc Supp. 3, p. 6. 1925a. Angel, in Voyage Alluaud et Jeannel Afrique Orient., 2, p. 35. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1928d. Loveridge, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 73, Art. 17, p. 55. 1928g. Loveridge, Bull. Antivenin Inst. America, 2, p. 36. 1929h. Loveridge, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 151, p. 32. 1933h. Loveridge (part), Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 74, p. 254. 1935a. Corkhill, Sudan Govt. Mus. Publ. No. 3, p. 22. 1935. Cunha, Mem. Estudos Mus. Zool. Univ. Coimbra (1), No. 83, p. 9. 1936h. Loveridge, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser. 22, p. 38. 1936J. Loveridge, Bull. Mus Comp. Zool., 79, p. 263. 1936. Roux, in Jeannel, Miss. Scient. de l'Omo, 3, p. 177. 1937f. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. ComD. Zool., 79, pp. 493, 496. 1937. Pitman (part), U/ganda Journ., 4, p. 230, pi. xi, fig. 2, col. pi. K, fig. 2. 1937. Uthmoller, Temminckia, 11, p. 119. 1938. Pitman (part), Uganda Journ., 5, pp. 215, 233. 1939c Scortecci, Gli Ofidi Velenosi dell' Africa Italiana, p. 150. 1919. Psammophis subtaeniatus var. sudanensis Werner, Denks. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 96, p. 504: Kadugli, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan (designated). Synonymy. As explained under the typical form, P. subtaeniatus of Boulengers Catalogue (1896d, p. 160) is a composite of two forms, tj'pical subtaeniatus with 9 upper labials of which the fourth, fifth and sixth enter the orbit, ranging south of the Zambesi, and the present race occurring from Zambezia to the southern Sudan. The latter is constant in having only 8 upper labials of which the fourth and fifth only enter the orbit. Heretofore this common East African snake has been almost consistently designated subtaeniatus. This is really the reptile which Mertens (1937b, p. 14) had in mind when he decided to synonymize subtaeniatus with sibilans. I have the deepest sympathy with such action in view of the fact that there are no scale characters on which I have been able to separate sudanensis from typical sibilans. Neither can one treat sudanensis as a race of sibilans for they occur together in many localities in East Africa the 1 Data omitted as apparently a misidentification. 52 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology more slender sudanensis favouring arid localities and the more robust sibilans the river banks and cultivated lands adjacent to the eroded areas. Werner (1919, p. 504) endeavours to distinguish between Sudanese (sudanensis) and East African specimens (which he calls subtaeniatus), but this does not appear possible. Under the circumstances his name sudanensis becomes available for both. As no type was designated, the Kadugli snake, which he describes in some detail, is to be regarded as the type. Names. Northern Stripe-bellied Sand-Snake (English); according to Corkhill, abu sa aifa (Arabic, Sudan, also applied to P. sibilans schokari) ; dowa (Nubas of Urn Gabrallah) ; inimaro (Nubas of Toitcho) ; kalingi (Nubas of Turun); narangi (Nubas of Tira Luman; peritoro (Nubas of Acheron); rungu (Nubas of Kinderma); according to Loveridge, mbahnna (Yeye, Shinyanga) ; iruwassi (Nyamwezi, Tabora) ; mlalu (Gogo, Dodoma); sangaraza (Kami, Morogoro and Swahili, Coast) ; mchezawanawake (Amu, Lamu) ; nam (Makonde and Mahiwa). Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above; snout once and a half to once and two thirds as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than or equal to a supraocular, as long as or slightly longer or slightly shorter than a parietal, as long as or usually longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2, very rarely 3, shields; loreal twice to twice and a half as long as deep; preocular 1, rarely 2, separated from, rarely in contact with, the frontal; post- oculars 2; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 1+2; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4, very rarely 5, lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are as long as or shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 148-169; anal divided; subcaudals 92-114. Coloration. Above brown or olive; a light vertical line from the tip of the snout across the rostral to the posterior end of the frontal where it meets with the first of three light transverse stripes of which the hindmost is just behind the parietals; a black line across the rostral is continued along the upper border of the upper labials which are yellowish, with or without black spots; dorsum with or without a fine yellow vertebral line, usually the seven middle dorsal scale-rows darker, edged with black, and separated from the sides by a pair of more or less distinct pale longitudinal stripes. Below, a band of bright yellow down the centre of the ventrals flanked on either side by a sharply defined black line which separates it from the usually paler loveridge: African snakes 53 or white band occupying the outer edges of the ventrals and the lower half of the outer scale-row, this coloration continued at least on to anterior part of tail. Measurements. Largest 9 measures 1300 (938 -f- 362) mm. from Budongo Forest, Uganda (Pitman). Largest cf measures 1263 (863 + 400) mm. and 9 measures 1161 (777 + 384) mm., both from Morogoro, Tanganyika Territory (Loveridge). Breeding. For a possible courtship practice, see Loveridge (1928g, p. 36). Oviducts of a series of Morogoro snakes were examined and appeared to support the assumption that the number of eggs produced is gov- erned to some extent by the dimensions of the mother. Thus on September 23rd 10 eggs were found in a 45-inch female, on October 22nd 8 eggs were found in a 39-inch female, on October 22nd 7 eggs were found in a 27-inch female, on October 22nd 6 eggs were found in a 28-inch female. On the same day, October 22nd, 6 eggs, measuring 32 x 13 mm. were laid by yet another sudanensis. On December 10th and January 1st sixteen newly hatched young were caught. One of these was in a heap of rubbish; in their convulsive efforts to escape two of these snakelings actually leapt off the ground. Diet. Detailed accounts of feeding habits have been given (Lover- idge, 1928g, p. 36) and an incident recorded where a stripe-bellied sand-snake was apparently lying in wait for small weaver birds (Lagnosticta) . That they will take small birds such as a warbler (Prinia m. tenella) in captivity is certain, though their principal food is undoubtedly lizards such as geckos (Hemidactylus mabouia) and striped skinks (Mabuya striata) at Morogoro, a variable skink (M. v. varia) at Mikindani, and a frog (Rana edulis) at Mkonumbi; frogs (Arthroleptis s. stenodactylus) at Mikindani. According to Uth- moller, mice and chameleons are also taken. Parasites. Worms of many species (Ascaris sp., Oochoristica crassi- ceps, Ophidascaris mombassica, Physaloptera affinis) have been re- covered from the alimentary tracts. Enemies. Five from stomachs of eagles (Circaetus cinereus) at Amboni and Mikindani. Temperament. Bite freely when first captured though not as savagely as does the hissing sand-snake. Venom. The bite is apparently harmless to man as I have been bitten several times without any ill effects. See also account of native being bitten (Loveridge, 1928g, p. 37). 54 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Habitat. The northern stripe-bellied sand-snake shows a preference for dry savanna with scattered bush; being an adept climber it suns itself among the twigs and in such a situation is difficult to detect as it harmonises so well with its environment. A snake disturbed in thorn-bush country, flashed across the path and was twenty feet up in the topmost twigs of a stunted tree in a matter of moments. Several were taken in the thatches of native huts where they had gone in search of lizards. Localities. Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: Jebel Moro; Kadugli; Mny- ouri Jardin; Wau. Ethiopia: Bodessa. Uganda: Katwe; Mount Debasien. Kenya Colony: Athi Plains; Bura; Changamwe; Frere Town; Guaso Nyiro; Kibwezi; Lamu Island; Lolokwi Mountain; Mkonumbi; Mombasa; Nanoropus; Lake Rudolf; Takaungu; Tana River; Ulukenya Hills; Voi; Wange; Witu. Tanganyika Territory: Amboni near Tanga; Arusha; Chanzuru; Dakawa; Dar es Salaam; Dodoma; Gomberi; Ilonga; Kideti; Kilimanjaro Mountain; Kilosa; Kimamba; Kitaya; Kitopeni; Lalago; Lukigura; Marungu; Masai nyika; Mavene; Mbanja; Mikindani; Mkata Station; Mkindo; Moshi; Mtali's village; Mwanza; Nchingidi; Xgare na nyuki; Njiri swamp; Nyambita; Pangani; Sagayo; Sanga; Sekenke; Suna; Tabora; Tukuyu; Ubamba Bay; Usandawi; Ushora; Wembere. Zanzibar: Zanzibar. Mozambique: Lumbo; Massangulo. Nyasaland: Cape McClear; Lake Nyasa; Masuku Mountains; Xkata Bay to Ruarwe; Nyika Plateau; Zomba. Distribution. Drier regions of the southern Sudan and Uganda east through southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya, south through Tanganyika to Nyasaland and northern Mozambique. It occurs from sea level allegedly to 6,000 feet in Nyasaland according to Boulenger. Remarks. Mocquard's (1896, p. 45) record from Abiras, upper Lbangi, is probably a stripe-bellied example of sibilans such as are not uncommon in the French Sudan. The single record of subtaeniatus from Italian Somaliland (Cal- abresi, 1918, p. 124) based on a young snake measuring 230 (170 + 60) mm. with only 143 ventrals and 70 subcaudals, is rejected pending confirmation, and these counts omitted from the range given in the description. Sternfeld's (1912c, p. 273) Ukerewe Island record, as well as those of Loveridge (1933h, p. 254) from this and other localities, with the exception of Mwanza and part of the Usandawi series, listed in that paper, are now considered to be stripe-bellied sibilans and their length and dietic records in this reference are transferred to P. s. sibilans. loveridge: African snakes 55 Werner (1925(1924), p. 140) includes Katanga in the range of "subtaeniatus" but I have failed to trace the record of anv material on which the extension in range is based. Psammophis subtaeniatus subtaeniatus Peters 1854. Psammophis moniliger Peters (part, not Daudin), Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 623. 1855. Peters, Arch. Naturg., 21, 1, p. 53. 1881b. Psammophis brevirostris Peters (part), Sitz. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin, p. 89. 1882a. Psammophis sibilans var. subtaeniata Peters, Reise naeh Mossambique, 3, p. 121: Borer and Tete, Mozambique. 1895a. Bocage, Herp. Angola Congo, p. 116. 1887b. Psammophis sibilans Boettger (part, not Linne), Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 159. 1908c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, p. 246. 1931. Power (part), Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa, 20, p. 43. 1937b. Mertens, Abh. Senckenberg. Xaturf. Ges. No. 435, p. 14. 1895b. Psammophis subtaeniatus Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 538. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3. p. 160. 1896a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 4, p. 93. 1902a. Werner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, 52, p. 340. 1909. Chubb, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 596. 1912. Hewitt, Rec. Albany Mus., 2, p. 273. 1913. Hewitt & Power, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa, 3, p. 164. 1915c. Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 631. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1927c. Power, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa, 14, p. 409. 1928. Cott, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 953. 1931. Power, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa, 20, p. 48. 1935. Cott, 1934, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 968. 1935b. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 16, p. 317. 1939b. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 20, p. 23. 1895b. Psammophis bocagii Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 538: Angola (Later stated to be Benguela, Angola). 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 161, pi. viii, fig. 1. 1897a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 4, p. 201. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 514. 1910b. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 27, fig. 31. 1910c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 5, p. 56. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 123, 124. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. 1936c. Parker, Novit. Zool., 40, p. 126. 56 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1937b. Monard, Arqu. Museu Bocage, Lisboa, 8, pp. 128, 131. 1938. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 19, p. 157. 1908. Psammophis transvaalensis Gough, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 1, p. 31, figs.: Louw's Creek, Transvaal. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 513. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 123. 124. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Xaturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 140. Synonymy. It appears probable that part of the material on which Peters' (1881b, p. 89) based his brevirostris is referable to subtaeniatus. The typical form has also been listed under moniliger and sibilans, while a few of the references to subtaeniatus in the literature reallv refer to sibilans. Names. Southern Stripe-bellied Sand Snake (English) ; according to Peters, nemomri (at Boror); njammarnmba or njamuclsarumba (at Tete); according to Bocage, bandangila (at Caconda), lubis (on Rio Bengo). Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above ; snout once and a half to once and two thirds as long as the eye ; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than or equal to a supraocular, as long as or slightly longer or slightly shorter than a parietal, longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 or 3 shields; loreal twice to twice and a half as long as deep ; preocular 1 or 2, separated from or in contact with the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 31; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 1 + 2 ; upper labials 9, rarely 8 or 10, fourth, fifth, and sixth, rarely fourth and fifth or fifth, sixth and seventh, entering the orbit; 4, very rarely 5, lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are as long as or shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 17 rows; ventrals 159-174; anal2 divided; subcaudals 109-127 (Peter's t\^pe with 54 must have had a truncated tail). Coloration. Above, olive to olive brown, paler posteriorly, the seven middle dorsal rows dark-edged and forming a broad black-edged dorsal band, separated from the sides by a more or less distinct creamy or yellowish brown stripe on the posterior four-fifths of body and con- tinued on tail; sides brown, usually a black lateral streak along the middle of the outer row of scales; upper labials yellowish with or with- out black dots, a black line along their upper border which is continued across the rostral ; head with markings of the eastern race more or less faintly visible. Below, chalky yellow, a sharply distinct fine black line i Fide FitzSimons, 1938, p. 157. 2 Rarely entire, i.e. in Maltahohe snake in British Museum. loveridge: African snakes 57 along each side of the belly and anterior part of tail separating the yellow centre from the white outer portion of the ventrals. Measurements. Largest cf measures 1110 (735 + 375) mm.; largest 9 measures 995 (625 + 350) mm. Both from Bechuanaland Pro- tectorate (FitzSimons, 1935b, p. 317). Largest unsexed specimen 1470 (1080 + 390) mm. from Mupanda, Angola (Monard, 1937b, p. 132). Diet. Lizard (Agama k. armata) fide Cott; and a frog, according to Power. Localities. Mozambique: Boror; Caia; Fambani; Inhaminga; Mgaza; Tete; Xa Matlale. Southern Rhodesia: Birchenough Bridge; Bulawayo; Matopos; Victoria Falls. Bechuanaland Pro- tectorate: Francistown; Gemsbok to Sunnyside; Lobatsi; Lupani; Mabeleapudi ; Makarikari ; Maun; Moove. Transvaal: Louw's Creek; Nelspruit; Njelele River. South West Africa: Gobabis; Grootfontein ; Namib Desert; Oshikango; Waterberg; Otjosangombe; Outgo; Windhoek. Angola: Benguela; Bibala; Catumbela; Cunene; Forte Rocadas; Humbe; Macon jo; Mulondo; Mapa; Mupanda; Rio Bengo. Distribution. Drier regions of southern Mozambique west to South- West Africa and southern Angola. Remarks. One of Peters' (1881b, p. 89) types of brevirostris had 9 upper labials, the fourth, fifth and sixth entering the orbit, char- acteristic of subtaeniatus (scnsu strictu) and so is transferred here. The Psammopkis subtaeniatus of Boulenger's (1896d, p. 160) Catalogue is a composite of true subtaeniatus and a form found north of the Zambesi to which all his material apparently belonged. The northern race is characterised by having, like sibilans, only 8 upper labials, fourth and fifth entering the orbit, for this form Werner's name of P. subtaeniatus sudanensis is the first available. Hewitt (1912, p. 273) was the first to point out that bocagii and transvaalierisis were synonymous with subtaeniatus of Peters, but did not realise that subtaeniatus of Boulenger was a composite. PSAMMOPHIS BISERIATUS TANGANICUS Subsp. nov. 1888. Psammophis biseriatus Mocquard (not Peters), Mem. Soc. Philom. Cent. Paris, p. 130. 1890b. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), 6, p. 93. 1892. Boulenger, 1891, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 12, p. 15. 1893b. Boettger, Zool. Anz., 16, pp. 119, 123. 1895b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 537. 58 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 1895g. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), 16, p. 168. 1896b. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 13. 1896d. Boulenger (part), Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 168. 1896e. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 216. 1896. Tornier (part), Kriechthiere Deutsch-Ost-Afrikas, p. 82. 1897g. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 279. 1897. Tornier (part), Arch. Naturg., 63, 1, p. 65. 1898. Tornier (part), in Werther, Mitt. Hoch. D.-Ost-Afrikas, p. 297. 1901a. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 49. 1908c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, p. 241. 1908. Werner, 1907, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 116, 1, p. 1878. 1909c. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3). 4, p. 309. 1909d. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 4, p. 311. 1912b. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (3), 5, p. 332. 1912b. Sternfeld, Sitz. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin, p. 385. 1913. Lonnberg & Andersson, Ark. Zool., 8, No. 20, p. 4. 1915c. Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 631. 1915d. Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 653. 1916. Calabresi, Mon. Zool. Ital. Firenze, 27, p. 41. 1923e. Loveridge, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 887. 1924b. Loveridge (part), Journ, E. A. Uga. Nat. Hist. Soc. Supp. 3, p. 6. 1925. Werner (part), 1924, Arch. Naturg., 96, Abt. A, p. 141. 1927. Calabresi, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 66, pp. 33, 55. 1928d. Loveridge, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 73, Art. 17, p. 56. 1928g. Loveridge (part), Bull. Antivenin Inst. America, 2, p. 40. 1929c. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat,, 68, p. 278. 1930a. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 69, p. 213. 1930. Vinciguerra, Ann. Mus. Genova, 50, p. 41. 1930b. Zavattari, in Bono, Miss. Sci. Eritrea, p. 194. 1931c. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 70, p. 210. 1932. Gestro & Vinciguerra, in Abruzzi, Esplor.-Uebi Scebeli, p. 500. 1932b. Parker, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 364. 1933h. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 74, p. 256. 1934a. Scortecci, Natura (Milano), 25, p. 62, fig. 25. 1935a. Corkhill, Sudan Govt. Mus. Publ. No. 3, p. 21. 1936h. Loveridge (part), Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., 22, p. 39. 1937f. Loveridge (part), Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, pp. 493, 496. 1937. Pitman (part), Uganda Journ., 4, p. 240, pi. xi, fig. 3, pi. K, fig. 3. 1937a. Scortecci, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 76, p. 174, pi. v, fig. 4. 1937. Zavattari, in Festschrift Geburt Embrik Strand, 2, p. 532. 1939a. Scortecci (part), Ann. Mus. Genova, 63, p. 281 (Hafun only). 1939c. Scortecci (part), Gli Ofidi Velenosi dell'Africa Italiana, p. 145, figs. 78-79. 1897. Psammophis sibilans Meek (not Linne), Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., 1, p. 179. loveridge: African snakes 59 Synonymy. The majority of the references to the typical form in the literature refer to this race. Names. Link-marked Sand-Snake or Two-striped Sand-Snake (English); subhainyu (Somali); kitlaku (Sandawi); zokalugwagu (Gogo). Type. Museum of Comparative Zoology, No. 30380, A half-grown 9 from Mangasini, Usandawi, central Tanganyika Territory, col- lected by Arthur Loveridge, December 12, 1929. Paratypes. Twenty specimens in the Museum of Comparative Zoology from Dodoma, Ikikuyu, Kikuyu, Kilimatinde, Mangasini and Usandawi, all in the Central Province, Tanganyika Territory. Description of type. Midbody scales in 15 rows; ventrals 151; anal divided; subcaudals 114; preocular 1; postoculars 2; labials 9, the fourth, fifth and sixth entering the orbit. It is this last character alone which separates this form from the typical race. Description. Rostral broader1 than deep, visible from above; snout once and a third to once and two thirds2 as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parietal, longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 shields; loreal twice to thrice3 as long as deep; preocular 1, rarely 2, broadly, rarely narrowly, in contact with the frontal; postoculars 2; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3, rarely 1 + 2 or 1 + 3; upper labials 9, rarely 8 or 10, fourth, fifth and sixth, rarely third, fourth and fifth, entering the orbit; 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior sub- linguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 15 rows; ventrals 142-168; anal divided; subcaudals 97-117. Coloration. As in the typical form. Measurements. Largest 9 measures 865 (565 + 300) mm. from Mangasini, Tanganyika Territory (Loveridge). Breeding. Young snakes 300 mm. in length or just over, are to be found in central Tanganyika during December. Diet. Lizards (Nucras b. boulengeri and Philochortus hardeggeri), and skinks (Rio pa m. modestum) recovered from stomachs (Loveridge). Parasites. A 9 ascarid in a Mangasini snake. Habitat. Coastal plain to arid thorn-bush uplands circa 4000 feet. So abundant was this species at Saranda during the month of July, that scarcely a day passed without one or two being disturbed as they 1 As broad as deep in a Sudan specimen according to Werner. 2 Or twice, presumably for this race, according to Boulenger. 3 Or four times, presumably this race, according to Boulenger. 60 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology basked among the fallen leaves at the base of shrubs, into which they vanished with great celerity. It was then necessary to remain perfectly still and scrutinize the bush until the snake was detected, either lying along a branch to whose surface it has applied its entire length, or else with the anterior third of its body stiffened and projecting into space like a twig. Localities. Libya: Gat, Fezzan. Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: Bara, Kordofan; Erkowit; Nahud, Kordofan. Eritrea: Beilul near Assab. Ethiopia: Abdallah; Dabanah; Harrar (Harari Uen); Hinna (Imi region), Uebi Scebeli; Magala, Umberto Island; Ogaden; Sammane; San Kural; Uebi Mana. British Somaliland: Adi Haliss; Berbera to Obbia; Buran district; Gan Lebar; Haud; Hudin; Jifa Uri; Sheik, Golis Mountains; YYarabod. Italian Somaliland: Bendar Beila; Dolo; Gardo and Hafun, Migiurtina; Nogal; Rahanuin country; Uebi Scebeli. Uganda: Xgora, Lake Kioga. Tanganyika Territory: Dodoma; Ikikuyu; Kikuyu; Kilimatinde; Lake Manka; Lake Victoria — south end; Mangasini; Saranda; Unyanganyi. Distribution. Southern Libya (fide Scortecci and Zavattari), south- east through the Sudan to Eritrea, Ethiopia and Italian Somaliland north of the Nogal River, and south through the Sudan to Uganda and central Tanganyika. It meets with the typical form at Lake Manka in northeastern Tanganyika Territory and along the border between Ethiopia and Italian Somaliland. PSAMMOPHIS BISERIATUS BISERIATUS Peters 1881b. Psammophis biseriatus Peters, Sitz. Ges. Xaturf. Freunde Berlin, p. 88: Teita, Kenya Colony. 1884a. Fischer, Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 1, p. 13, pi. i, figs. 4a-4f. 1893b. Stejneger, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 16, p. 731. 1894. Glinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 88. 1896c. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 21. 1896d. Boulenger (part), Cat. Snakes Brit, Mus., 3, p. 168. 1896. Tornier (part), Kriechthiere Deutsch-Ost-Afrikas, p. 82. 1897. Tornier (part), Arch. Naturg., 63, 1, p. 65. 1898a. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 18, p. 721. 1898. Tornier (part), in Werther. Mitt. Hoch. D.-Ost-Afrikas, p. 297. 1910a. Sternfeld (part), Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 31. 1911. Lonnberg, Svenska. Vetensk.-Akad. Handl., 47, No. 6, p. 23. 1912. Hobley, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, 3, p. 52. 1912c. Sternfeld, Wiss. Deutschen Zent.-Afrika Exped., 4, p. 274. 1913. Boettger, in Voeltzkow, Reise in Ostafrika, 3, p. 362. loveridge: African sxakes 61 1915c. Boulenger (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 631. 1915d. Boulenger (part), Proe. Zool. Soc. London, p. 653. 1916a. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, 5, p. 86. 1918a. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, No. 13, p. 330. 1923b. Calabresi, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 62, p. 162. 1924b. Loveridge (part), Journ. E. A. Uga. Nat. Hist. Soc. Supp. 3, p. 6. 1925. Werner (part), 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1928g. Loveridge (part), Bull. Antivenin Inst. America, 2. p. 40. 1929h. Loveridge, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 151, p. 33. 1932a. Parker, Journ. Linn. Soc. London, Zool., 38, p. 221. 1936h. Loveridge (part), Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., 22, p. 39. 1936J. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, p. 265. 1936e. Parker, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (10), 18, p. 608. 1937f. Loveridge (part), Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, pp. 493, 496. 1937. Pitman (part), Luanda Journ., 4, p. 240, pi. xi, fig. 3, pi. K, fig. 3. 1938a. Pitman, Uganda Journ., 5, p. 216. 1939a. Scortecci (part), Ann. Mus. Genova, 63, p. 281. 1939c Scortecci (part), Gli Ofidi Velenosi dell' Africa Italiana, p. 145. 1913. Psammophis bitaeniatus Peters (sic) Boettger, in Yoeltzkow, Reise in Ostafrika, 3, p. 355 (misprint). Synonymy. The typical form does not appear to have been con- founded with any other species, many of the references to biseriatus in the literature refer to the encircling race just described. Names. Link-marked Sand-Snake, or Two-striped Sand-Snake (English); mararinga (Teita). Description. Rostral broader than deep, visible from above; snout once and a half to once and two thirds as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, narrower than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parietal, longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 shields; loreal twice to thrice as long as deep; preocular 1, rarely 2, broadly, rarely narrowly, in contact with the frontal; postoculars 2; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 4- 3, rarely 1 4- 2 or 1 + 3 ; upper labials 9, very rarely 8, fifth and sixth, or very rarely fourth and fifth, fourth, fifth and sixth, or sixth and seventh entering the orbit; 5, rarely 4, lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 15 rows; ventrals1 138-156; anal divided, very rarely entire; subcaudals2 100-130. 1 138 for a Somaliland snake (Scortecci. 1931c, p. 210); he has kindly checked this count for me, June 1938. The previous low number was 143. 2 All figures below 100 have proved on examination to be truncated with regenerated terminal point. Those of the type, said to be 133, have been recounted by Dr. Ahl and found to be 123. 62 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Coloration. Above, grayish or pale brown, head uniform or with dark brown or reddish-brown, black-edged spots, and usually a dark cross-band on the occiput; a dark streak on each side of the head, passing through the eye ; lips white with black or brown spots ; a more or less interrupted cream-colored vertebral line down the centre of a dark dorsal band that is flanked by reddish-brown, black-edged spots. Below, belly grayish, speckled with black and white. Measurements. Largest recorded measures 1050 (650 + 400) mm. (Boulenger). Largest sexed 9 measures 1020 (660 + 360 + tip) mm. from Mount Mbololo, Kenya Colony (Loveridge). Diet. Lizards (Latastia I. revoili), a skink (Mabuya planifrons), and chameleons (Chamaeleo d. roperi) recovered from stomachs (Loveridge). Temperament. Disinclined to bite when captured. Habitat. Coastal plain to arid thorn-bush uplands circa 3000 feet. One has but to examine the markings of one of these snakes to appre- ciate how remarkably well their cryptic coloring and slender habit simulate the twigs among which they take refuge. Localities. Italian Somaliland: Afghedud; Afgoi; Belet Amin; Biomal; Caaio to Andurgab; Chisimaio (Kismayu); Dargali to Magghiole; Garoe; Giuba (Juba) River; Giumbo (Jumbo); Lugh; Mahaddei Uen; Martis or Dinsai; Mofi; Mogadiscio; Neghelli; Oddur; Ted; Tobungab; Turf a; Uebi Scebeli; Urandi. Kenya Colony: Archer's Post; Bulessa; Guaso Nyiro; Kaliokwell River; Karawa; Kipini; Lodwar; Malindi; Mbololo Mountain; Xjoro; Patta Island; Sirima, Lake Rudolf; Tana River; Taveta; Teita; Tsavo; Voi. Tan- ganyika Territory: Arusha; Kahe; Kilimanjaro Mountain; Lake Manka; Pentambili; Tanga. Distribution. Italian Somaliland south of the Xogal River, through the drier regions of Kenya to extreme northeastern Tanganyika Territory near Kilimanjaro Mountain. Psammophis jallae Peracca 1896. Psammophis jallae Peracca, Boll. Mus. Zool. Torino, 11, Xo. 255, p. 2, figs.: Kazungula to Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia. 1898. Sclater, Ann. S. African Mus., 1, p. 100. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 514. 1910b. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 28. 1910a. Werner, Denks, Med. Nat. Ges. Jena, 16, p. 363. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 123, 125. 1912. Hewitt, Rec. Albany Mus., 2, p. 275. loveridge: African snakes 63 1913e. Hewitt, Ann. Natal Mus., 2, p. 481. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1934. Pitman, Rep. Fauna! Survey N. Rhodesia, p. 297. 1905c. Psammophis Ansorgii Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), 16, p. 113, pi. iv, fig. 4: Benguela to Bihe, Angola. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1933m. Witte, Ann. Mus. Congo Beige, Zool. (1), 3, p. 93. 1937b. Monard, Arqu. Museu Bocage, Lisboa, 8, p. 128. 1921d. Psammophis Rohani Angel, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 46, p. 116, fig.: Near Loengoue, Lumuna River, affluent of Luiana River and tribu- tary of the Kwando River, Angola. 1923d. Angel, in Miss. Rohan-Chabot Angola Rhodesia, 4, p. 166, figs. 10-12, pi. — , fig. 2. 1937b. Monard, Arqu. Museu Bocage, Lisboa, 8, p. 128. 1932. Psammophis longirostris FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 15, p. 38: Gomodimo Pan, C. Kalahari, Bechuanaland Protectorate. 1935b. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 16, p. 318, figs. 2-3. Synonymy. Apparently recorded only under the above names. Description. Rostral broader than or as broad as deep, visible from above ; snout once and a quarter to once and a half as long as the eye ; internasals half to two thirds the length of the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, much broader than a supraocular, as long as or longer than a parietal, much longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 3, rarely 21, shields; loreal once and a half to twice as long as deep; preocular 1, semidivided, broadly in contact with the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 1; temporals 2+2, rarely 1+2; upper labials 7, third and fourth entering the orbit; 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 15 rows; ventrals 153-177; anal divided; sub- caudals 297-109. Coloration. Above, pale gray or grayish brown; snout and supra- oculars pale brown, some black-edged yellow (white) spots form a pat- tern on head of young including a pair of light spots on the suture between the parietal shields; pre- and postoculars yellow (white); a black-edged streak crossing rostral, upper labials and side of head; back uniform or passing to pale brown posteriorly, or a dark, black- 1 Two on one side only of the type of ansorgii. 2 Seventy-six, recounted as 77/77+1 by Mr. Parker, in type of ansorgii, which I have exam- ined and think is probably regenerated though open to question, said to be approximately 153 in type oijallae but tail macerated and fragmentary. Prof. Arcangeli, with customary kindness, has reexamined the type and entirely agrees with my suggestion that 153 is a misprint for 103; owing to its fragmentary condition an exact count is impossible. 64 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology edged, dorsal band, five scales wide, not extending to the head; some- times a vertebral series of elongate yellow (white) spots anteriorly, black posteriorly, forming an interrupted vertebral line; on each side of the body a more or less distinct reddish brown band bordered below by a white streak on the lower half of the outer scale-row and the upper ends of the ventrals. Below, chin and throat spotted with black to form a pattern, midventral region yellow (white). Measurements. Largest 9 measures 915 (620 + 295) mm., from Lookaneng (Werner, 1910a, p. 363). Localities. Southern Rhodesia: Importuni district; Kazungula to Bulawayo; Springvale near Matopos. Bechuanaland Protectorate: Gomodimo Pan; Lookaneng to Severelela. Angola: Benguela to Bihe; Bingondo; near Loengoue. Belgian Congo: Kansenia. Distribution. Southern Rhodesia northeast through Bechuanaland to Angola and the southern Belgian Congo. Remarks. The description and coloration of this species is a com- posite based on the description of four species, three of which I refer to the synonymy of jallae, the latter being rescued from the synonymy of crucifer where it was placed by Boulenger. Known from less than ten specimens in all, the type of ansorgii has been the only one which I have been able to examine. Psammophis crucifer (Daudin) 1758. Coluber sibilans Linne (part), Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1, p. 222. 1766. Linne (part), Syst. Nat. ed. 12, 1, p. 383. 1803. Coluber crucifer Daudin, Hist. Nat. Rept., 7, p. 189: "Indes orientales." 1827. Psammophis crucifer Boie, in Oken, Isis, 20, cols. 525, 547. 1854. Dumeril & Bibron, Erpet, Gen., 7, p. 892. 1858c. Gunther, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., p. 135. 1867a. Steindachner, in Reise Osterreich. Freg. Novara, Zool., 1, p. 69. 1870. Jan, Icon. Gen. Ophid., livr. 34, pi. iv, fig. 3. 1883b. Boettger, Ber. Offenbach. Ver. Naturk., p. 156. 1884a. Rochebrune, Faune Senegambie. Rept., p. 166 (error). 1887b. Boettger, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 160. 1887h. Boulenger, Zoologist (3), 11, p. 176. 1887. Symonds, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 487. 1891a. Matschie, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., 5, p. 610. 1895b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 539. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 169. 1897. Bateman, The Vivarium, p. 285. 1898. Boettger, Kat. Rept.-Samm., Mus. Senckenberg. II, p. 104. loveridge: African snakes 65 1898. Jeude, Notes Leyden Mus., 16, p. 38. 1898. Sclater, Ann. S. African Mus., 1, p. 100. 1898. Werner, 1896-7, Jahrb. Abh. Natur. Magdeburg, p. 145. 1901. Schenkel, Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 13, p. 172. 1902. Lampe & Lindholm, Jahrb. Nassau Ver. Nat. Wiesbaden, 65, p. 34. 1908b. Boulenger, Ann. Natal Govt. Mus., 1, p. 229. 1908. Gough, Ann. Transvaal Mus., 1, p. 29. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 6, p. 514. 1910b. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 4, pt. 1, p. 28. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 123, 126. 1912. Hewitt, Rec. Albany Mus., 2, p. 270. 1914a. Hewitt,, S. African Journ. Sci., 10, p. 246. 1916. Andersson, Meddel. Goteb. Musei Zool. Afdel, No. 9, p. 36. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1927b. Hewitt, S. African Journ. Sci., 24, p. 455. 1929. Rose, Veld & Vlei, p. 162, fig. 106. 1935a. FitzSimons, V., Ann. Transvaal Mus., 15, p. 522. 1936h. Loveridge, Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser., 22 p. 39. 1937e. Hewitt, Guide Vert. Fauna E. Cape Prov., S. A. II, p. 63, fig. 2. 1837. Psammophis moniliger Schlegel (part), Essai Phys. Serp., 2, p. 209, pi. viii, figs. 6-7. 1883. 1Saurophis crucifer Fisk, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 32. 1892. Psammophis sibilans Miiller (not Linne), Verh. Naturf. Ges. Basel, 10, p. 205. Synonymy. This distinctive species has been confused only with sibilans and its synonym moniliger, and that but rarely. Names. Crossed Grass-Snake (English); kruis gras-slang and streey- slang (Dutch); intlangu and u-nornbatamb' ezantsi (Kaffir). Description. Rostral broader than deep, visible from above; snout once and a third to once and a half as long as the eye ; internasals half to two thirds as long as the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, as broad as or broader than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parietal, much longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 shields; loreal about once and a half as long as deep; preocular 1, not or but very rarely2 in contact with the frontal; postoculars 2; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3; upper labials 8, rarely 7, fourth and fifth, rarely third and fourth, entering the orbit; 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are as long as or 1 Lapsus for Psammophis, as Saurophis was proposed for a skink. 2 One of five Kintrwilliamstown snakes exhibited this frontal condition according to Hewitt (1912, p. 270). 66 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 15, very rarely 171, rows; ventrals 136-158; anal divided; subcaudals 62-812. Coloration. Above, pale olive or brownish; head with a light spot or streak on the suture between the parietal shields; pre- and postoculars yellowish; sides of head with large dark blotches; on the back a black- edged dorsal band, three scales wide, usually giving off one or two transverse bars or blotches on the nape; on each side of the body a more or less distinct dark band bordered below by a white streak on the lower half of the outer scale-row and the upper ends of the ventrals. Below, orange or yellow, uniform or finely speckled with blackish or orange-brown markings and a dusky streak or series of small spots along each side. (For a detailed description of a fresh Namaqualand example, see FitzSimons, 1935a, p. 522, and an almost uniform variant from Port Alfred, Hewitt, 1937e, p. 63). Measurements. Largest example measures 673 (614 + 159) mm. from Kroonstadt (Symonds, 1887, p. 487). Breeding. Lays from four (Fiske, 1883, p. 32) to half-a-dozen eggs (Rose, 1929, p. 162), circa 18 mm. long. Diet. Gecko (Phyllodactylus lineatus) lizards, and frogs. Enemies. A snake, 470 mm. in length, was found dead in the mouth of a bullfrog (Rana adspersa) fide Symonds. See Fiske (1883, p. 32) for a strange account of a snake (? Psendaspis cana) eating the eggs and attacking an ovipositing crossed snake. Habitat. This species does not appear to have spread far inland in Cape Province, but does reach the high veld at Doornkop, according to Hewitt (1912, p. 270) in a discussion of locality records. Common in coastal and grassy country inland at least to Lady Frere (Hewitt, 1937e, p. 63). Localities. Southern Rhodesia: Matabeleland. Transvaal: Bar- berton; Johannesburg; Krugersdorp; Lydenburg; Mphome; Smithfield. Natal: Hilton Road; Vryheid. Orange Free State: Kroonstadt. Basutoland: Morija. Cape Province: Bathurst district; Beacons- field; Beaufort West; Brakkloof ; Burghersdorp ; Capetown; Doornkop; East London; Fransche Kraal; Gaus Bay; Grahamstown; Hondeklip Bay; Irene; Kingwilliamstown ; Kleinzee; Lady Frere; Malmsbury; Namaqualand; Port Alfred; Port Elizabeth; Simonstown; Steinkopf; Stellenbosch ; Tokai. 1 One snake examined by Hewitt (1912, p. 270) had 17 rows. 2 A snake without locality possessed 86 subcaudals according to Andersson (1916, p. 36); its identification requires checking. loveridge: African snakes 67 Remarks. Hewitt (1912, p. 270) has pointed out that crucifer agrees with sibilans in lacking a definite backward prolongation of the posterior nasal, such as is found in notostictus and 'furcatus' i.e. P. sibilans trinasalis. Psammophis pulcher Boulenger 1895b. Psammophis pulcher Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 537, pi. xxx, figs. 3-3a: Webi Shebeli, Ethiopia. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 170. 1897g. Boulenger, Ann. Mus. Genova (2), 17, p. 279. 1915d. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 654. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1927. Calabresi, Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., 66, p. 55. 1934a, Scortecci, Natura (Milano), 25, p. 63, fig. 26. 1939c. Scortecci, Gli Ofidi Yelenosi dell' Africa Italiana (Milano), p. 144. Name. Beautiful Sand-Snake (English). Description. Rostral broader than deep, visible from above; snout once and two thirds as long as the eye; internasals much shorter than the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle slightly narrower than a supra- ocular, slightly shorter than a parietal, longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 shields; loreal once and two thirds as long as deep; preoculars 2, separated from the frontal; post- oculars 2; temporals 1+2; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 131 rows; ventrals 144; anal divided; subcaudals 108. Coloration. Above, pale brownish, with an orange black-edged vertebral stripe, a black lateral streak along the second scale-row passes through the eye and reaches the rostral; upper lip, outer scale- row, and outer ends of ventrals white. Below, ventrals yellow in the middle with an orange line on either side. Measurements. The 9 holotype measures 435 (275 + 160) mm. Remarks. Known only from the type from Ethiopia, not Italian Somaliland, as may be seen on reference to Donaldson Smith's maps showing the point, at which he crossed the Shebeli River. Localities. Ethiopia: Webi Shebeli south of Harar. Distribution. Southeastern Ethiopia. 1 Checked and found correct. A. L. 68 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology PSAMMOPHIS ANGOLENSIS (Bocage) 1872. Amphiophis angolensis Bocage, Jorn, Sci. Lisboa, 4, p. 82: Donda, i. e- Dondo, Loanda, Angola. 1881d. Peters, Sitz. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin, p. 149. 1895a. Bocage, Herp. Angola Congo,' p. 113, pi. xi, figs. 3a-3f. 1896a. Bocage, Jorn, Sci. Lisboa (2), 4, p. 103. 1896. Tornier, Kriechthiere Deutsch-Ost-Afrikas, p. 82. 1897a. Bocage, Jorn. Sci. Lisboa (2), 4, p. 201. 1877c. Ablabes Homeyeri Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 620: Pungo Adungo (Ndongo), Angola. 1888a. Drornophis Angolensis Boettger, Ber. Senckenberg. Ges., p. 55. 1890b. Boulenger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), 6, p. 93. 1891a. Psamrnophis angolensis Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 307. 1895b. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 539. 1896d. Boulenger, Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus., 3, p. 170. 1897e. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 801. 1897. Tornier, Arch. Naturg., 63, p. 65. 1898. Boettger, Kat. Rept.-Samm. Mus. Senckenberg. II, p. 104. 1898. Johnston, British Cent. Africa, p. 361a. 1908c. Sternfeld, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, 4, p. 246. 1910b. Boulenger, Ann. S. African Mus., 5, p. 514. 1910. Peracca, Boll. Mus. Zool. Torino, 25, Xo. 624, p. 4. 1910a. Sternfeld, Die Fauna Deutschen Kol., 3, pt. 2, p. 31. 1912. FitzSimons, F. W., Snakes of S. Africa, pp. 123, 125. 1912. Hewitt, Rec. Albany Mus., 2, p. 275. 1915a. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 213. 1915c. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 631. 1918a. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc, No. 12, p. 327. 1921a. Angel, Bull. Mus. Paris, 27, p. 42. 1923e. Loveridge, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 887. 1924b. Loveridge, Journ. E. A. Uganda Nat. Hist. Soc. Supp. 3, p. 6. 1925. Werner, 1924, Arch. Naturg., 90, Abt. A, p. 141. 1933h. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 74, p. 257. 1933. Schmidt, Ann. Carnegie Mus., 22, p. 14. 1933m. Witte, Ann. Mus. Congo Beige, Zool. (1), 3, p. 93. 1934. Pitman, Rep. Faunal, Survey N. Rhodesia, p. 297. 19371*. Loveridge, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 79, pp. 493, 496. 1937b. Monard, Arqu. Museu Bocage, Lisboa, 8, p. 128. Synonymy. Peters (188 Id, p. 149) himself referred homeyeri to the synonymy of angolensis, a species which does not appear to have been confused with anv other. Name. Pigmy Sand-Snake (English). Description. Rostral broader than deep, visible from above; snout loveridge: African snakes 69 once and a quarter to once and a half as long as the eye; internasals half to two thirds as long as the prefrontals; frontal, in the middle, slightly narrower or broader than a supraocular, as long as or slightly shorter than a parietal, longer than its distance from the end of the snout; nostril between 2 shields; loreal once and a half to twice as long as deep; preocular 1, separated from, rarely in contact with, the frontal; postoculars 2, rarely 3; temporals 1+2, rarely 2+2; upper labials 8, rarely 7, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; 4, rarely 5, lower labials in contact with the anterior sublinguals, which are shorter than the posterior. Midbody scales in 11 rows; ventrals 141— 156; anal divided; subcaudals 57-82. Coloration. Above, pale or dark olive; head dark olive anteriorly, blackish posteriorly, with three yellow transverse lines, the first across the frontal, the second across the parietals, the third behind the parietals; two black crossbands, separated by a yellowish inter- space, may be present on neck; labials yellowish white; a dark olive or blackish vertebral stripe, mostly three scales wide, and finely edged with black on dorsum and tail; one or two more or less distinct dark lines or series of dots along each side. Below, white, a fine lateral line on either side of the ventrals, present or absent. Measurements. Largest recorded measures 417 (306 + 111) mm. from Morogoro, Tanganyika Territory (Loveridge). Temperament. Makes no attempt to bite when captured. Habitat. Upland savanna to coastal plain. I have taken this species in a dried-up swamp, on a path, and ensconced in the grass wall of a hut at a height of five feet from the ground. Localities. Zanzibar: Zanzibar. Tanganyika Territory: Baga- moyo; Dar es Salaam; Izikisia; Kilosa; Morogoro; Lake Tanganyika; Lake Victoria — south shore; Lnyanganyi. Mozambique: Tschimbo. Nyasaland: Cape MeClear; Fort Hill, Masuka district; Fort Johnston. Northern Rhodesia: Lealui; Munyamadzi River; Zambesi (upper). Belgian Congo: Albertville; Kansenia; Kahiri; Katanga; Kiambi to Baudouinville; Lukafu. Angola: Ambrizette; Caconda; Dondo; Humbe; Malange (Malanji) ; Novo Redondo; Pungo Adungo (Ndongo) Quindumbo. Distribution. Tropical Africa from Zanzibar, Tanganyika Territory, and Mozambique west through Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo to Angola. Rejnarks. Hewitt (1912, p. 275) justifiably questions Boulenger's (1910b, p. 515) inclusion of the Orange Free State in the range of angolcnsis, hence its omission from the above distribution. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology AT HARVARD COLLEGE Vol. LXXXVII, No. 2 NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E IN THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY By Gaines Kan-Chih Liu With Seven Plates CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U.S.A. PRINTED FOR THE MUSEUM November, 1940 of Zoology ^ NOV 19 1940 * I BR* R\ No. 2. — New Oriental Cicadidse in the Museum of Comparative Zoology By Gaines Kan-Chih Liu FOREWORD Just after passing his Doctor's examination and having finished his thesis, Doctor Liu was required by his Government to return to China. The thesis, as finished in partial fulfilment of the requirements for his doctorate, contained much material of a general nature and many, many details which had been published and which it was neither desirable nor necessary to publish again. Since it has been impossible to communicate with Doctor Liu, I asked Mr. Nathan Banks to take this manuscript and indicate those sections which might be considered as new. This he has done with painstaking care and great skill and it is only fair that the part which he has played in making possible the publication of this manuscript should be gratefully acknowledged. Doctor Liu would be the first person to do this were it possible. Since it is not, I do so in his name. T. Barbour. INTRODUCTION This study is based on the collections in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, supplemented by others made in China during 1931-1933 by the writer, when holding a Parker Fellowship from Harvard Lniversitv. I have decided to follow the classification used by Distant for the Cicadidse in the Fauna of British India. This arrangement is by no means satisfactory; but since Distant's publications are indispensable for the study of the Oriental Cicadidse, especially the Chinese fauna, it is deemed better for the present not to make any change. The terminology employed for descriptions in this paper is also practically the same as that of Distant. I have found it convenient to coin a new term, "incisurial area," for the description of the markings of the two lateral areas on the disk of the pronotum. These areas, where the so-called "incisures" are located, are usually well defined. The Chinese Cieadid?e are badlv in need of revision. Since Distant's Monograph of Oriental Cicadidse, the number of species known to occur in China has been more than tripled. The total represents the 74 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology efforts of a number of workers of different nationalities. As a con- sequence, the characters emphasized are different, and each worker seems to have had a different concept of what should constitute a species. Acknowledgments The writer is most grateful to Mr. Banks and also wishes to thank Dr. T. Barbour for the opportunity to publish this paper, and Prof. C. T. Brues for his encouragement and interest in his work. Genus Platypleura Amyot and Serville Key to the Species 1. Mesonotum with three obconical spots semusta Mesonotum with four obconical spots 2 2. Tegmina and wings with the apical half hyaline and the basal half more or less opaque coelebs Tegmina and wings in general opaque 3 3. Lateral margins of pronotum rounded; outer margins of wings (excluding anal area) dark brownish; rostrum passing just behind the posterior coxse hilpa Lateral margins of pronotum angulate; outer margins of the wings hyaline; rostrum extending far behind the posterior coxae 4 4. Anal tergite largely exposed, rostrum passing beyond the posterior margin of opercula; abdomen gradually narrowed behind; color brown koempferi Anal tergite retracted, rostrum hardly reaching the posterior angle of opercula; abdomen abruptly narrowed behind and shorter than the anterior half of the body; color greenish retracta Platypleura kaempferi Fab. Plate 1, Fig. 2 Occurs along coastal plain of China as far north as Peiping. Platypleura retracta spec. nov. Plate 1, Fig. 3 The general marking of this species is more or less similar to that of P. kcempferi. But, besides those structural differences, as shown below, LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 75 which mark it as a distinct species, the general color is greenish, the abdomen more abruptly narrowed behind and shorter than the anterior half of the body. It is also more pilose. Head deflected in front and about as wide as the base of mesonotum. Vertex black with the following markings yellowish-green: — four large spots in front of the posterior margin, a transverse fascia between the eyes across the base of the tylus, and a spot on the anterior lateral margin. Tylus yellowish-green with the lateral margin and an angu- lated transverse fascia fuscous. Antennae brown. Eyes brown. Ocelli shining red and about twice as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum about three times as wide as long and about as long as mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation). The lateral margins broadly ampliated and angulate in the middle. The disk yellowish- green with a central longitudinal lanceolate fascia and three oblique fasciae on the incisurial area black. The lateral marginal area black with the extreme margins dull ochraceous. Mesonotum yellowish-green with four obconical fasciae from the anterior margin and a radiate spot in front of the cruciform elevation black. The anterior arm of the radiate spot extending to the anterior margin and the posterior one to the disk of the elevation. The lateral marginal area of the radiate spot piceous. The extreme lateral margins paler. Abdomen (9 mm.) much shorter than the anterior half (11 mm.) of the body, abruptly narrowed behind, covered with appressed silvery pile, and dull black with the posterior margins of tergites 3-6 greenish. The inner angle of the tympanal orifice somewhat exposed. Flaps black with the inner marginal area ochraceous. Anal tergite con- cealed, sometimes with only the apical part projected outside. Tegmina about one-third longer than the body, a little less than three times as long as wide, with the markings as shown in the figure. Plate 1, Fig. 3. Venation partly greenish and partly brown. Basal cell broadly triangular with the point at the base. Wings fuscous with the outer and the posterior marginal area hyaline. Venation reddish- ochraceous with the median and the cubital vein black and the anal vein pale piceous. Body beneath with the thoracic part pulverulent. Face black with the lateral transverse stripes reddish-ochraceous and deeply and longitudinally sulcate in the middle. Clypeus black with a short longitudinal spot at the base reddish-ochraceous. Lateral margin of lora, basal segment of rostrum, apices of femora, annulations on tarsi, streaks on anterior femora, and the posterior margin of opercula 76 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology ochraceous. Apical segment of rostrum and legs reddish. Abdominal ventrites black. Opereula broad, overlapping on the inner angles, convex on the outer and posterior margin, and not reaching the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite. Rostrum hardly reaching the posterior angle of the opereula. Seventh ventrite with the width of its anterior margin longer than its length (in kcempferi, about as long as). Body length 20 mm. Widest part of pronotum 12 mm. Tegmina length 24 mm. Holotype male from Mt. Chingchen, Kuanshien, Szechuan, July, 1932, in author's collection. One of the paratypes from the same localitv is in the M. C. Z. Platypleura retracta omeishana var. now This variety differs from the typical form in the following points: rostrum passing the posterior coxa? but far from the posterior angle of the opereula. The lateral obconical black fascia enclosing a small ochraceous spot near the anterior margin. Transverse stripes on abdominal tergites dilated in the middle. The lateral arms of the radiate spot of the mesonotum isolated to form two small spots in front of the anterior arms of the cruciform elevation. One male from Mt. Omei, Szechuan, July, 1932. Platypleura hilpa Walker Plate 1, Fig. 4. Known from Canton, Amoy, and Foochow. Genus Pycna Amvot and Serville V Key to Species Wings black with their outer ''fourth" pale hyaline; tegmina pale hyaline with the basal part brownish opaque coelestia Wings ochraceous with the apical area (sometimes the apex of the anal area too) dark castaneous; tegmina with the basal half opaque but the dark fascia on the apical area more concentrated repanda LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 77 Pycna repanda Linnaeus Plate 1, Fig. 1 According to Haupt occurs on Mt. Omei, Szechuan. Genus Polyneura Westwood This genus contains only one species known from India to Tibet. Its alignment with the last two genera appears to be rather superficial. Polyneura ducalis Westwood Plate 2, Fig. 7 Reported from Szechuan and Tibet. Genus Graptopsaltria Stal Key to Species Mesonotum almost entirely black with only two faint obconical fasciae from the anterior margin; pronotum with the posterior marginal area black; vertex black with four testaceous spots between the eyes ; tympanal flaps broader than long . . . color ata. Mesonotum with four large obconical fascia? from the anterior margin; pronotum with the posterior marginal area olivaceous; vertex with a broad olivaceous fascia between the eyes ; tympanal flaps longer than broad tienta Graptopsaltria colorata Stal Plate 2, Figs. 9, 10 Known from Hangchow and Manchuria. Graptopsaltria tienta Karsch Plate 2, Fig. 8 Occurs only at Mt. Omei, Szechuan. 78 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Genus Chremistica Stal Key to the Species 1. Opercula about half the length of abdomen; tegmina and wings clear and hyaline; body uniformly ochraceous ochracea Opercula not extending much beyond the base of abdomen; body not ochraceous 2 2. Mesonotum castaneous with four obscure slender fasciae from the anterior margin and a small golden patch of pile on the anterior lateral angles; head castaneous with the ocellar region darker and two paler brownish spots near the anterior margin; tegmina and wings hyaline with the veins on the apical margin infuscated banksi Mesonotum black without golden patches; head black with some reddish spots but not as in the preceding one ; tegmina and wings hyaline, the former on basal two-thirds moderately tinged with ochraceous minuta Chremistica banksi spec, now Plate 3, fig. 15 A large, dull castaneous, and hairy cicada, easily recognized by the two small golden patches on the mesonotum. Tegmina and wings hyaline with the ambient veins infuscated. Body above dull castaneous. Head declivous in front, about half as long as the space between eyes, and more narrow than the base of mesonotum. Crown centrally and longitudinally sulcate, dull castan- eous with the following markings reddish-ochraceous : — a spot on anterior lateral margin, a large spot in the middle of the lateral area, and a very small spot before the middle of the posterior margin. Antennae castaneous. Eyes brown. Ocelli reddish and about three times as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum about twice as long as wide and longer than mesonotum with exclusion of the cruciform elevation. Lateral margins ampliated and convex. Color uniformly dull castaneous but with the marginal area paler and a faint slender longitudinal central fascia in the middle of the incisurial area. Mesonotum uniformly dull castaneous with two faint, threadlike, and convergent fasciae from the anterior margin and a small golden patch on the anterior lateral angle. Lateral area of cruciform elevation paler. Posterior lateral margin fringed with long silvery hairs. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 79 Abdomen longer than the anterior half of the body, covered rather thickly with long white hairs on the lateral areas and uniformly black except the tympanal flaps and the posterior lateral part of the second and the eighth tergite. Anal tergite broadly indented on the posterior margin with a large ochraceous spot on the lateral area. Tympanal orifice completely covered. Tegmina and wings hyaline. Tegmina only a little longer than the body and less than three times as long as wide. Venation fuscous with the apical third infuscated. Basal cell elongate, about twice as long as wide, and with the lower vein curved downward. Wings with the apical margin infuscated and the venation pale brownish. Body beneath reddish ochraceous and thickly covered with long hairs. Face, the region between the face and the eyes, rostrum, legs, and the first abdominal ventrite castaneous. Apices of femora and bases of tibia? ochraceous. Face very prominent. Opercula not reaching the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite, parallel laterally, slightly oblique and almost truncate pos- teriorly, and with the inner angles overlapping. Inner marginal area castaneous. Rostrum passing beyond the posterior coxa? with the base ochraceous. Seventh ventrite slightly sinuate on the posterior margin and almost as long as the preceding two united. Genital plate short and hidden from above by the anal tergite. Body length 41 mm. Widest part of pronotum 15 mm. Tegmina length 46 mm. Holotype male from China, in Coll. M. C. Z. Paratypes one female and two males. This insect is dedicated to N. Banks, curator of insects in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard. It was found in the old Harvard collection, but with no more definite locality than "China." 7 «/ The color of this species is variable. The mesonotum is sometimes black and the anterior disk of pronotum sometimes paler. Genus Ltristes Horvath Key to the Species 1. Opercula long and reaching beyond the middle of abdomen; tegmina hyaline with cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 infuscated; pronotum castaneous with the margins and a central longitudinal fascia and two basal spots ochraceous leechi Opercula short and not extending beyond the second abdominal ventrite 2 80 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 2. Tegmina with the basal third opaque, the rest hyaline with the cross-veins of the first apical cell infuscated; pronotum black with two small spots on the disc and the margins (except the lateral anterior half) black wui Tegmina hyaline 3 3. Tegmina without any infuscation on the apical veins, very close to sinensis pekinensis Tegmina with cross-veins in the apical area infuscated 4 4. Tegmina with cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 5, and 7 infuscated; pronotum castaneous with the marginal areas, two basal spots, and a lanceolate fascia in the middle ochraceous flammata Tegmina with cross-veins of apical cells 2 and 3 infuscated 5 5. Rostrum reaching behind posterior coxae; opercula rounded laterally and somewhat pointed posteriorly; pronotum olivaceous with two fuscous stripes on the posterior margin near the lateral angles sinensis Rostrum reaching only the anterior margin of the posterior coxae, opercula parallel laterally and broadly truncate posteriorly; pronotum smoky pale-ochraceous with four spots from the anterior margin and two longitudinal fasciae in the middle black altaiensis Lyristes flammata Distant Plate 4, Fig. 18. From Lushan, Kiangsi. Lyristes sinensis Distant Plate 4, Fig. 19 From Tat-sien-lu, Szechuan. Genus Cryptotympana Stal Key to the Species 1. Tegmina darkly infuscated; opercula somewhat pointed, concavely sinuate, and reaching the middle of the third abdominal ventrite; rostrum extending behind the middle coxae holsti Tegmina hyaline or lightly infuscated 2 LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 81 2. Body above olivaceous; opercula broadly truncate behind and reaching the second abdominal ventrite; rostrum extending to the middle coxa1; tegmina and wings hyaline with the basal portion tinged with pale ochraceous sinensis Body black or castaneous 3 3. Abdomen with a large greyish-white fascia on each lateral area; opercula acute and reaching nearly the posterior margin of the fourth abdominal ventrite; rostrum reaching posterior coxae; tegmina hyaline with the cross-veins of the second and the third apical cells infuscated acuta Abdomen black without such white fascia 4 4. Opercula concavely sinuate on the posterior margin; tegmina with the post-costal area blackish; rostrum reaching the middle coxae mandarina Opercula not concavely sinuate; tegmina with the post-costal area clear 5 5. Opercula ochraceous; tegmina with the opaque area not extending bevond the basal cell 6 Opercula not ochraceous except the marginal areas; tegmina with the opaque area extending beyond the basal cell 7 6. Abdomen black with the basal segment narrowly margined with greyish-white pile; opercula broadly rounded behind; size large fascialis Abdomen black with a narrow white fascia in the middle of the third segment; opercula pointed posteriorly; size smaller japonensis 7. Abdomen (except the last two segments) yellowish-brown at the lateral and posterior margin of each segment; tegmina with the basal third somewhat infuscated santoshonis Abdomen black; tegmina with the basal fourth opaque 8 8. Opercula truncate on the inner side and rounded outside, reaching the middle of the second abdominal ventrite, and with the outer margin ochraceous pustulata Opercula broadly rounded posteriorly not reaching the posterior margin of the basal segment, and with the posterior and external margin broadly ochraceous dubia 82 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Cryptotympana mandarina Distant Plate 3, Fig. 13 Reported from Hong Kong and Hainan. Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius Plate 3, Fig. 14 Known from the Coastal Plain as far north as Peiping, and inland to Ichang, Hupeh and Taiynan, Shansi. C. pustulata castanea var. no v. This variety can be readily separated from the typical form by the following points: Opercula uniformly castaneous. Lateral areas of py gofer concolorous with the ventrite, not differently colored as in the typical form. Pronotum with three obscure reddish oblique fasciae on the incisurial area and without ochraceous spots on the lateral margins. The general color of the body is castaneous but much darker above. A single specimen labeled "China" in Harvard collection. In this variety, the opercula do not extend beyond the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite. C. PUSTULATA FUKIENENSIS var. nOV. This variety differs from the typical form by having the opercula definitely pointed behind, or somewhat peach-shaped, with the pointed tip just touching the posterior margin of the second abdominal ven- trite. The ochraceous region is narrowed down to a slender stripe on the outer margin. One male from Foochow, Fukien. Genus Purana Distant Key to the Species Tegmina and wings with the claval area infuscated, cruciform elevation with a large black spot in front davidi Tegmina and wings with the claval area hyaline; cruciform eleva- tion with two small black spots in front of the anterior arms clavohyalina LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID^ 83 PURANA CLAVOHYALINA Spec. nOV. Plate 4, Fig. 20 This is a small testaceous cicada with black markings and clear wings. Tegmina are decorated with a series of four fuscous spots in the apical half. It can be easily separated from davidi by having the claval area of both tegmina and wings not infuscated. Head declivous in front, as long as the space between eyes, and as wide as the base of mesonotum. Vertex reddish-ochraceous with the inner margin of eyes and a radiate spot extending to the anterior lateral margins of the vertex. Tylus with a pale smooth spot on the apex and the lateral striations dark castaneous. Eyes prominent, projecting, and together as wide as the space between them. Ocelli shining and about twice as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum narrowed anteriorly, toothed laterally, ampliated at the posterior angles, and shorter than mesonotum with the exclusion of the cruciform elevation. The general color is reddish-ochraceous with the marginal area pale yellow. The margin of the incisurial area (except a short part on the posterior side), the extreme posterior and anterior margins, and a central longitudinal fascia (widened at both ends) black. The longitudinal central black fascia enclosing a lanceo- late reddish ochraceous fascia in the center. Anterior lateral margins and two spots on the posterior angles castaneous. Mesonotum reddish-ochraceous with five longitudinal fascia? from the anterior margin black. The middle one more slender and extending to the cruciform elevation where it branches into three arms, two lateral and one posterior. The two lateral ones are broad and broken and also extend to the posterior margin. The two sublateral ones reach only the middle. Abdomen (15 mm.) nearly as long as the anterior half of the body, nearly parallel laterally, reddish-ochraceous with the posterior margins castaneous and the lateral areas much paler. Tympanal orifice com- pletely covered. Flaps dull ochraceous. Eighth tergite very small and about as long as the preceding one. Anal tergite retracted and some- times not visible. Tegmina and wings hyaline with the venation partly ochraceous and partly fuscous. Tegmina more than three times as long as wide with the cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 5, and 7 infuscated. Basal cell oblong with the base wider than the apex. A spot at the apex of radial area brightly ochraceous. Body beneath pale ochraceous. Face prominent, globose, slightly 84 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology longitudinally sulcate in the middle, castaneous with the transverse striations and the lateral and posterior margins oehraceous. The region between the face and the eyes, and part of the lora, black. Legs more or less testaceous with oehraceous streaks. Abdominal ventrites pale testaceous. Tubercles prominent and castaneous. Rostrum reaching the middle of the base of abdomen with the apex castaneous. Opercula pale oehraceous with the base and the lateral margins pale castaneous. Posterior angles extending beyond the second abdominal ventrite. Inner angles widely separated. Seventh ventrite reddish with the posterior part pale oehraceous and the poste- rior margin indented in the middle. Genital plate elongate, rounded behind, and wrinkled on the disc. Body length 29 mm. Widest part of pronotum 10mm. Tegmina length 38 mm. Holotype male from Foochow, Fukien, in Harvard collection. Two paratypes from the same locality. Genus Maua Distant Key to the Species 1 . Rostrum reaching the middle of the third abdominal ventrite ; oper- cula about as broad as long; tegmina with four infuscated spots fukienensis Rostrum not passing the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite 2 2. Opercula much longer than broad; tegmina with the only two infus- cated spots in the apical area ; size large A-tvherculata Opercula broader than long or as broad as long; tegmina with more than two infuscated spots (Walker says that the first four cross-veins are clouded with brown but the figure given by Distant shows only three fuscous spots) albistigma Maua fukienensis spec. nov. Plate 4, Fig. 21 This species is evidently very close to albistigma but can be readily separated by the length of the rostrum which reaches the middle of the third abdominal ventrite in this one while in albistigma, only the "hind hips." On the other hand, it may be easily confused with the European Tettigia orni Linnaeus. The markings on tegmina resemble closely those of Purana cldvohyalina. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 85 Head declivous in front, shorter than the space between eyes, and wider than the base of mesonotum. Vertex dull ferrugineous and deco- rated with an obscure black mark. Tylus with a shining spot at the apex. Eyes prominent, projecting, and together about as wide as the space between them. Ocelli about twice as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum narrowed anteriorly, sinuate laterally, dilated at posterior angles, nearly three times as wide as long, and shorter than mesonotum with the exclusion of the cruciform elevation. Color reddish ochraceous with the anterior extreme margin black. The extreme posterior margin, two large spots on the marginal area near the posterior angle, lateral margins, and the margins of the incisurial areas more or less castaneous. The inner margin of the two incisurial areas forming a central lanceo- late fascia in the middle, which is ochraceous. Mesonotum reddish ochraceous with five black fasciae from the anterior margin. Abdomen (14 mm.) shorter than the anterior half of the body, uni- formly ferrugineous with some fuscous spots on the deflected lateral areas. Tympanal orifice completely covered. Flaps ochraceous. Eighth tergite very small and shorter than the preceding one. Anal tergite not visible. Tegmina and wings hyaline. Venation partly ochraceous and partly fuscous. Tegmina more than three times as long as wide with the apex of the radial area ochraceous and the cross-veins of apical cells, 2, 3, 5, and 7 infuscated. Basal cells nearly four times as long as wide. Cross- veins of apical cell 3 and 7 curved. Body beneath paler in hue. Face prominent, globose and fuscous with the lateral striations and lateral margins ochraceous. Areas be- tween face and eyes black. Rostrum ochraceous with apex fuscous. Legs more or less reddish or reddish ochraceous. Abdomen beneath pale ferrugineous with posterior segmental margins ochraceous. Tuber- cles large, prominent, and uniformly reddish. With the specimen on hand, the lateral area of abdomen sunk in and thus forming two grooves with a central ridge. The tubercles are located in these grooves. Rostrum reaching the middle of the third abdominal ventrite. Oper- cula short, reaching as far as the rostrum, with the outer margin nearly straight, inner margin convex, and the inner angles well separated. Seventh ventrite prominently sulcate on the posterior margin. Body length 28 mm. Widest part of pronotum 11 mm. Tegmina length 40 mm. Holotype male from Foochow, Fukien> in Harvard collection. This species displays so close a resemblance to Purana clavohyalina, 86 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology especially the markings of the body and tegmina, that it may be easily confused. However, in addition to the generic differences and differences in the color markings of the opercula and the ab- domen above, there are many other distinguishing characters. For instance, in P. clavohyalina, the opercula pass the anterior border of the third abdominal ventrite but the rostrum does not reach the posterior margin of the second ventrite, the cross-veins of apical cells 3 and 7 straight, and the posterior margin of the seventh ventrite only slightly sulcate; while in this one, both rostrum and opercula reach the middle of the third ventrite, cross-veins of apical cells 3 and 7 curved, and the posterior margin of the seventh ventrite prominently sulcate. Genus Tanna Distant Key to the Species 1. Tegmina and wings with the apical angles piceous; the former with the cross-veins of apical cells 2 and 3 infuscated herzbergi Tegmina and wings with the apical angles hyaline; the former with two series of infuscated spots on the apical area 2 2. Tegmina with the cross-veins of apical cells 5 and 7 more or less parallel to the ambient vein, the third apical cell rectangular, and the basal vein of the fourth one not infuscated; wings with the cross-vein of the first apical cell curved and the second apical cell obliquely truncate at base; size smaller; color paler. . .japonensis Tegmina with the cross-veins of apical cells 5 and 7 not parallel to the ambient vein, the third apical cell pointed at base, and the upper arm of the fourth one infuscated; wings with the first cross-vein straight and the second apical cell acutely pointed at base; size much larger; color darker obliqua Tanna japonensis Distant Plate 4, Fig. 23. Known from Hangchow and Manchuria. Tanna obliqua spec, now Plate 4, Fig. 22 This insect in general appearance is very close to T. japonensis except larger and darker and may be easily confused. However, there LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 87 are a number of structural differences and it can be easily separated from the Japanese form, as pointed out in the key, by the form of the first cross-vein of the wing. Body above rusty brown. Head declivous in front, about as long as the space between eyes, and narrower than the base of mesonotum. Vertex green with the inner margin of the eyes (not extending to the front) and two transverse fascia? black. The anterior transverse fascia enlarged on the anterior lateral margin and again in the middle to in- clude the anterior ocellus. The posterior one does not extend to the lateral margin but is deeply curved and also enlarged in the middle to enclose the two posterior ocelli. Disc sparingly covered with golden pile. Eyes prominent, projecting, and together about as wide as the space between them. Ocelli about twice as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum slightly longer than head, about two-thirds as long as mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation), distinctly narrowed anteriorly, ampliated at the posterior angles, sinuate and rather bluntly toothed laterally. Disc sparingly covered with golden pile, rusty brown with the central longitudinal fascia and the marginal area yellowish green. The extreme anterior and posterior margins, margins of incisurial areas, and two large spots near the posterior angle fuscous. Mesonotum greenish brown with five fuscous longitudinal fascia? from the anterior margin. The central one extends to cruciform elevation where it is enlarged and encloses two small ochraceous spots. The lateral two also reaching the cruciform elevation but the sub- lateral two the shortest. Abdomen (23 mm.) much longer than the anterior half of the body, sparingly covered with silvery and golden pile, and rusty brown with posterior segmental margins pale fuscous. Tympanal orifice somewhat exposed externally. Flaps fuscous with the central disc pale ochrace- ous. Outer margin sinuate. Anal tergite truncate behind and reaching not as far as the genital plate. Tegmina and wings hyaline. Tegmina more than three times as long as wide with two series of fuscous spots on the apical area. Inner series consisting of five (counting the fork of the second one as two) and the outer one of seven. Venation partly green and partly fuscous with a spot at the apex of radial area bright pale yellow. Cross-veins of apical cells 5 and 7 oblique to the ambient vein and the third apical cell pointed at base. Basal cell about three times as long as wide with the lower vein nearly straight and not curved as in the Japanese 88 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology species. Wings with the venation partly greenish, partly ochraceous, and partly fuscous. Cross-vein of the first apical cell oblique and straight and the base of the second one pointed. Body beneath with the anterior part greenish and the abdominal part pale. Head and thorax beneath, coxa?, femora, middle tibia?, and opercula yellowish green. Transverse stria? on face, spots on lora and clypeus, a small spot between face and eyes, streaks on legs, and apex of rostrum fuscous. Tarsi and tibia? of anterior and posterior legs and rostrum ochraceous. Anterior tibia? and tarsi brown. Abdominal ventrites pale with the first pair of tubercles prominent and brown and the pair on the third segment much smaller and darker. Opercula greenish with the base and the outer margin fuscous. Posterior angles extending far beyond the second ventrite. Inner angles widely separated. Outer margin convexly sinuate. Rostrum passing beyond posterior coxa?. Seventh ventrite nearly parallel laterally, slightly indented behind, about as long as the preceding one but shorter than the genital plate. Body length 39 mm. Widest part of pronotum 11 mm. Length of tegmina 44 mm. Holotype male from Mt. Omei, Szechuan, July, 1932 in author's collection. Six paratypes from the same locality in Harvard collection. Genus Dundubia Amyot and Serville Key to the Species Opercula broadly rounded behind and reaching the posterior margin of the sixth ventrite; mesonotum without distinct markings. mannifera Opercula pointed behind and reaching the posterior margin of the seventh ventrite; mesonotum with two convergent black slender facia? from the anterior margin; size larger bifasciata Dundubia mannifera Linnaeus Plate 5, Fig. 25 Known from many places in China. Dundubia bifasciata spec. nov. Plate 5, Fig. 24 In size and form, this insect closely resembles D. mannifera. The tylus is less prominent but still twice as wide as the anterior lateral LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 89 margin of the vertex. It can be distinguished, however, from manni- fera by the presence of two sharply marked slender fascial on the mesonotum. Body above brownish and sparingly covered with pile. Head declivous in front, about five-sixths as long as the space between eyes, and wider than the base of mesonotum. Tylus twice as wide as the anterior lateral margin of vertex and reddish with a central ochraceous fascia extending to the face. Vertex pale brown, slightly tinged with green, and with the ocellar region castaneous. Ocelli less than twice as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum pale brownish, longer than head, shorter than mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation), and bluntly toothed on the lateral margins. Extreme posterior margin and a transverse spot before the middle of the posterior marginal area black. Marginal area greenish with two spots near the posterior angle and the anterior lateral angles fuscous. Mesonotum shining pale brown, with two convergent slender black fascia? from the anterior margin. Abdomen (22 mm.) longer than, or nearly as long as, the anterior half of the body, and pale brownish above with the tympanal coverings greenish. Eighth tergite pulveru- lent. Anal tergite not visible. Tegmina and wings hyaline. Venation ochraceous with the apical portion fuscous. Lower vein of claval area dark fuscous. Some of the veins of wings greenish or green. Tegmina more than three times as long as wide. Basal cell three times as long as wide. Body beneath duller. Face, lora, and streak on anterior and middle femora pale brownish. Antenna?, apical region of rostrum, tibia? and tarsi of anterior and middle legs dark fuscous. Basal fascia on face, rostrum, streaks on middle tibia?, posterior legs, and abdomen beneath ochraceous. Rostrum passing the middle coxa?. Opercula greenish (in the para- type, the right one fuscous) with the outer margin near the base fuscous, reaching the posterior margin of the seventh ventrite, con- cavely sinuate near base and then ampliated and gradually narrowed toward the apex which is somewhat pointed. Seventh ventrite nar- rowed posteriorly, produced into two little lobes behind, and longer than the preceding one. Genital plate small and pointed behind. Body length 40 mm. Widest part of pronotum 13 mm. Length of tegmina 47 mm. Holotype male from Yungshien, Kwangsi, May, 1932, in author's col- lection. One male paratype from the same locality in Harvard collection. 90 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Genus Platylomia Stal Key to the Species 1. Opercula in male extending back as far as the middle of the abdomen and about as wide at base as on disc of apical area; cross-vein of the second and the third apical cell of tegmina slightly infus- cated juno Opercula in male extending far beyond the middle of the abdomen, even sometimes reaching the penultimate segment 2 2. Tegmina with the cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 5, and 7 infuscated; opercula reaching the last segment of abdomen; tegmina and wings slightly smoky lemoultii Tegmina with the cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 5, and 7 either clear, or only the second and the third infuscated 3 3. Opercula reaching the apex of abdomen and wider on the disc of the apical area than at base; tegmina and wings hyaline hainanensis Opercula not reaching the apex of abdomen 4 4. Tegmina with the cross-veins of apical cells clear; opercula about reaching the penultimate segment of abdomen and uniformly ochraceous larus Tegmina with the cross-veins of the second and the third apical cell infuscated 5 5. Opercula extending to the sixth segment of abdomen and about as wide at base as on the disc of the apical area; tarsi black, size about 50 mm diana Opercula passing the posterior margin of the sixth segment of abdomen and wider on the disc of the apical area than at base; posterior tarsi ochraceous; abdomen ochraceous with the apical half fuscous; size 40 mm kingvosana Platylomia kingvosana spec. nov. Plate 5, Fig. 26 A large ochraceous species with prominent black markings on mesonotum as described below and the cross-veins of the second and the third apical cell infuscated. It appears to be very close to diana which is also described from Szechuan. But a number of structural characters make it distinct from all other members of this genus. The head only a little more than half as long as the space between eyes, pronotum definitely shorter than mesonotum (excluding cruciform LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 91 elevation), and abdomen only a little longer than the anterior half of the body. Furthermore, tympanal orifice exposed externally. It appears to stand between Mcimuna and Platylomia, with the shape of the opercula closer to that of the latter. Head deflected in front, with its length (5 mm.) only a little more than half as long as the space between the eyes (7 mm.) and about as wide as the base of mesonotum. Vertex ochraceous with the ocellar region and a large oblique fascia on the lateral area black and two small spots on the posterior margin fuscous. The two posterior ocelli separated by a deep sulcus where it is more or less reddish. The two lateral fascia? more or less connected with the ocellar fascia. Tvlus only a little wider than the anterior lateral margin of vertex and black with the base and a spot at the apex ochraceous. Pronotum longer than head, only three-fourths as long as mesono- tum (excluding cruciform elevation), distinctly narrowed anteriorly, sinuate and distinctly toothed laterally. Extreme posterior margin, central part of anterior margin, and the margins of the incisurial areas black. The inner margins of the two incisurial areas forming a central longitudinal lanceolate fascia on the disk. Lateral incisures and three spots (two large and one small) before the posterior angle fuscous. Mesonotum ochraceous with three prominent fascia? from the cruci- form elevation black; the central one soon branching into three arms. Abdomen only about one-seventh longer than the anterior half of the body, collapsed laterally, fuscous with tergites 3, 4, and 5 largely, and 6 partly ochraceous. Tympanal orifice slightly exposed on the inner angle. Flaps pale greenish. Anal tergite not visible. The lateral area (except a spot in the middle) of the third tergite rather thickly covered with silvery pile. Tegmina and wings hyaline. Venation partly ochraceous and partly fuscous. Basal membrane blackish. Tegmina more than three times as long as wide with the cross-veins of the second and the third apical cells infuscated and a spot at the apex of radial area bright ochraceous. Basal cell a little more than twice as long as wide. Body beneath ochraceous. Face moderately prominent, ochraceous, with a central longitudinal fascia brightly castaneous. A spot near antennal insertion, disc of lora, and streaks on coxa? blackish. Apex of rostrum, streaks on legs, and the anterior and middle tarsi dark fuscous or black. Abdomen pale ochraceous with the apical portion piceous. Genital plate dull ochraceous with the apical portion piceous. Opercula ochraceous with the anterior part of the outer margin dark castaneous and two stripes on the disc blackish with the inner margin 92 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology convex and well separated, outer margin concavely sinuate near the base, and the posterior angles broadly rounded and reaching the seventh ventrite. Rostrum reaching nearly behind the posterior coxa?. Seventh ventrite narrowed posteriorly and rather deeply in- dented behind and a little longer than the preceding one. Genital plate lobate and projecting behind. Body length 40 mm. Widest part of pronotum 15 mm. Length of tegmina 48 mm. Holotype male from Mt. Kingfoo, Szechuan, Aug., 1932 in author's collection. Three paratypes from the same locality in Harvard collec- tion. There is some color variation. In paler specimens, the black markings on mesonotum may be much reduced. Apical region of opercula sometimes piceous. P. KINGVOSANA VIRESCENS var. IIOV. This variety differs from the typical form by being definitely green, entire outer margin of opercula black and the inner margin (except the basal part) piceous. This is evidently only a color variation. Genus Meimuna Distant Key to the Species 1. Tegmina hyaline with the cross-veins of the second and the third apical cell not infuscated; opercula in male straight on the inner side, narrowed to apices and reaching the middle of the fifth ventrite; abdomen dull sanguineous tripurasura Tegmina hyaline but with the cross-veins of the second and the third apical cell infuscated 2 2. Opercula hardly reaching the posterior margin of the third ab- dominal ventrite and rather sharply pointed at the apices opalifera Opercula passing beyond the posterior margin of the third ab- dominal ventrite and reaching at least two-thirds the length of the abdomen 3 3. Tympanal orifice not completely covered but with a slit on the inside; flaps longer than broad neomongolica Tympanal orifice completely covered, flaps as long as broad 4 4. Rostrum passing the posterior coxa? and about reaching the inner angles of opercula mongolica Rostrum just reaching the posterior margin of posterior coxae silhetana LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 93 Meimuna opalifera Walker Plate 5, Fig. 28 Reported from Peiping, Chekiang, Canton, Foochow, and Mt. Kingfoo. Meimuna neomongolica spec. nov. Plate 5, Fig. 27 This insect seems to be intermediate between mongolica and silhetana. In these three species, the markings on pronotum, mesono- tum, and tegmina are all alike. The shape and the size of the opercula are also more or less similar. The present species is allied to mongolica in the size of the body and the markings on abdomen above. On the other hand, it resembles silhetana in the length of the rostrum, which reaches only as far as behind the posterior coxae. It stands aloof from both species by having the tympanal orifice not completely covered. Furthermore, the tympanal flaps are definitely longer than broad. Body above green or yellowish-green with black markings and sparingly pilose. Head declivous in front, shorter than the space between eyes, and wider than the base of mesonotum. Vertex green with the posterior margin of the eyes, a spot on the anterior lateral angle, and three large spots on the disc (the lateral ones angulate) black. Tylus black with the base and the lateral transverse stripes yellowish green and a spot at the apex ochraceous. Antennae black. Eyes greyish brown and prominent. Ocelli shining red and about twice as far from the eyes as from each other. The two posterior ocelli separated by a deep sulcus where it is reddish. Pronotum longer than head, about two-thirds as long as mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation), narrowed anteriorly, sinuate and dis- tinctly toothed laterally. Color green with the extreme posterior and lateral margins, margins of incisurial areas, and lateral incisures black. The inner margins of the incisurial areas forming a central longitudinal lanceolate fascia on the disc. Three spots near the posterior angle fus- cous. Mesonotum green with the anterior region more or less ochraceous and with five longitudinal black fasciae from the anterior margin. The central one enlarged posteriorly and reaching the cruciform elevation. The sublateral ones reaching only the middle and slit. The lateral 94 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology ones much interrupted anteriorly. Two spots in front of the cruciform elevation black. Abdomen (18 mm.) much longer than the anterior half of the body, reddish brown with markings on the anterior margins of tergites 2-6 dark fuscous, and the posterior margins green. The markings are similar to the markings as given by Distant in his figure for mongolica. Tympanal orifice is not completely covered but with a slit on the inner side. Flaps greenish and longer than broad. Eighth tergite pulverulent and about twice as long as the preceding one. Anal tergite small, much shorter than the genital plate, bisinuate behind, and greenish on the posterior margin. Tegmina and wings hyaline with the base greenish. Tegmina more than three times as long as wide with venation partly brown and partly fuscous. Basal cell about three times as long as wide and wider at base. Cross-veins of apical cells 2 and 3 infuscated. Wings with the costal and the lower median vein greenish. Body beneath paler. Face moderately prominent, black with the lateral striations green, and a spot at the base ochraeeous. Cheeks black with the basal portion more or less greenish and the ridge of clypeus ochraeeous. A large spot between face and eyes black. Ros- trum ochraeeous with the apex piceous. Legs greenish ochraeeous with the streaks and tarsi piceous. Abdomen beneath with ventrites 2-4 pale piceous, 5-7 pale piceous with the anterior part darker. Genital plate ochraeeous. Opercula broad, moderately long, and reaching the middle of the fifth ventrite. Inner margins well separated, strongly convex about the middle, and then obliquely divergent posteriorly. Posterior inner margin nearly straight. Outer margin concavely sinuate near base and then strongly convex. Posterior angles bluntly pointed. Color slightly greenish with the outer marginal area (except the basal part) piceous. Rostrum reaching just behind the posterior coxse. Seventh ventrite longer than the preceding one but shorter than the globose genital plate. Body length 30 mm. AYidest part of pronotum 10 mm. Tegmina length 38 mm. Holotype male from Ichang, Hupeh, June, 1932, in author's collec- tion. Paratype male from the same locality in Harvard collection. The paratype is paler and less greenish. The black area on the face is also greatly reduced. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 95 Genus Pomponia Stal Key to the Species 1. Abdomen about as long as the anterior half of the body; tegmina with cross-veins of the second and the third apical cell infuscated ; rostrum just reaching the apices of the posterior coxse scitula Abdomen much longer than the anterior half of the body 2 2. Tegmina with the cross-veins of the second and the third apical cell faintly infuscated; rostrum just reaching the apices of the pos- terior coxse; opercula widely separated thalia Tegmina with numerous fuscous spots: rostrum extending far be- yond the posterior coxae and reaching the inner angles of opercula ; opercula with the inner angles approaching fusca Pomponia fusca Olivier Plate 3, Fig. 17 Reported from Kwangtung and Kwansi. Genus Oncotympana Stal Key to the Species Tegmina and wings moderately infuscated ; rostrum passing poste- rior coxae; cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 5, and 7 moderately in- fuscated; allied to maculaticollis fuscata Tegmina and wings hyaline 2 Abdomen with the posterior margin of tergites 2 and 3, tympanal coverings, disk beneath, and opercula pale bright virescent; tegmina with cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 5, and 7 broadly piceous virescens Abdomen with the corresponding parts not so marked ; tegmina with cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 5, and 7 infuscated; cross-vein of the eighth apical cell at most with only the lower angle slightly fuscous 3 Tegmina without a series of submarginal fuscous spots, body be- neath pale ochraceous coreana Tegmina with a series of submarginal fuscous spots 4 96 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 4. Opercula either entirely black or with the posterior margin black; size of the body at least 30 mm. long maculaticollis Opercula ochraceous; size of body 26 mm. long; allied to virescens but rostrum longer, opercula shorter, and color different . stratoria Oncotympana maculaticollis Motschulsky Plate 3, Fig. 16 Known from Shantung, Kansu, Szechuan, and Hangchow; taken at Chungking, Mt. Omei, Mt. Kingfoo, and Mt. Chingchen, all in Szechuan. Key to the Varieties 1. Opercula bicolorous, very close to the typical form variety d Opercula concolorous 2 2. Opercula ochraceous 3 Opercula black 4 3. Larger forms with the ochraceous area on mesonotum much re- duced; ground color of the body ochraceous variety b Smaller forms with the ochraceous area on mesonotum reduced to small spots ; ground color of the body black coreana 4. Abdomen above with a transverse white fascia behind the tympanal coverings variety a Abdomen above without such white fascia, but uniformly black with two spots on the first segment, and the posterior margin of the second segment ochraceous variety c Variety A This variety differs from the typical form, besides those mentioned in the key with regard to the color of the opercula, in having the ochraceous area on mesonotum reduced to 10 spots. Abdomen beneath entirely black with the posterior margin of the penultimate segment and the pleurites of the third and fourth segment ochraceous. Ab- domen above with a white transverse fascia on the second segment. Varietv B This variety differs from the typical form and other varieties by having the opercula entirely ochraceous and from coreana by being larger and paler. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 97 Variety C var. nov. This variety differs from other forms by the absence of a white fascia on the abdomen and by having the color smoky. Only one male specimen from Mt. Kingfoo, Szechuan. Variety D var. nov. This variety is very close to the typical form and differs from it by having the fuscous area on opercula much enlarged, abdomen beneath more or less fuscous, and the ochraceous area on mesonotum reduced to ten spots. A large number of specimens in Harvard collection. Variety core an a Kato After examining a large number of 0. maculatieoUis and noting its variation, one comes to the conclusion that Kato's coreana can be re- garded only as a variety of this species, (cf. Kato, Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Formosa, 15, 1925, p. 27.) Genus Terpnosia Distant Key to the Species 1. Opercula in male extending beyond the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite; tegmina with two series of fuscous spots, the inner one on the cross-veins of the apical cells and the outer one submarginal ichangensis Opercula not extending beyond the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite; tegmina without a submarginal series of fuscous spots 2 2. Abdomen above black with three brown spots on each side; tegmina with the cross-veins of the second and the third apical cell in- f uscated ; opercula short and black obscura Abdomen above either ochraceous or greenish ochraceous with or without black markings ; opercula not entirely black 3 3. Tegmina with the apical veins to the second and the third ulnar area inf uscated; abdomen above virescent with a double discal segmental series of large black spots mawi Tegmina with cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, and 5 infuscated ... 4 4. Abdomen above with an oblique submarginal linear broken fuscous fascia; opercula subquadrate and without a basal black fascia. andersoni Abdomen without any fuscous fascia; opercula obliquely rounded, somewhat elongate, and with a basal black fascia clio 98 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Terpnosia andersoni Distant Plate 6, Fig. 36 Described from Yunnan. Terpnosia obscura spec. nov. Plate 6, Fig. 42 This Terpnosia can be easily separated from other species by the color of the body above, which is black. Tegmina with venation black and the cross-veins of apical cells 2 and 3 infuscated. Body above black. Head declivous in front, shorter than the space between eyes, and about as wide as, or wider than, the base of mesono- tum. Crown black with some obscure and ill-defined spots and short stripes. Antennae black. Eyes greyish brown with series of black spots and short stripes. Ocelli shining red and less than twice as far from eyes as from each other. Pronotum a little shorter than mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation), as long as head, a little more than twice as wide as long, with the lateral margins deeply sinuate in the middle and the posterior angles ampliated. A well defined but rather obscure central longitud- inal fascia, a large spot on anterior lateral angle, and a large spot near the posterior angle reddish testaceous. Mesonotum black with four oblique and obscure reddish fascise from the anterior margin. Two small circular spots in front of the cruciform elevation pitchy black. Cruciform elevation reddish brown. Abdomen (15 mm.) about one-third longer than the anterior half of the body, black with the following markings reddish: — two spots on the anterior margin of the second segment, a transverse stripe on the basal part of tympanal flaps, two large spots (the outer one ill-defined) on each side of tergites 3-5, an obscure spot on the fifth tergite, and the posterior margin of tergites 3-6. Eighth tergite suddenly constricted with the posterior half densely covered with short silvery pile. Anal tergite prominent, cleft behind with the two lateral parts produced into sharp spines pointed upward. Tegmina and wings hyaline. Venation fuscous. Tegmina three times as long as wide with the cross-veins of apical cells 2 and 3 and the apical part of the marginal vein of anal area infuscated. A spot at the apex of radial area ochraceous. Basal cell twice as long as wide. Venation of wings blackish brown with the lower median, the cubital, and the anal vein black. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID^E 99 Body beneath piceous with the anterior half more thickly pilose. Face moderately prominent, oblong, and black with the lateral area paler. Lateral striations not distinct. The region between the face and eyes, disc of lora and clypeus, apex of rostrum, opercula, and base of abdomen black. Legs reddish brown with streaks of various shades of castaneous. Apices of femora and bases of tibiae ochraceous. Ab- domen beneath pale piceous. Opercula not reaching the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite with the outer margin slightly convex, posterior margin slightly oblique and nearly straight, and the inner margins well sepa- rated. Rostrum just reaching the posterior coxae. Seventh ventrite depressed on the posterior part of the disc, concave on the posterior margin, longer than the preceding one but shorter than the genital plate. Body length 26 mm. Tegmina length 25 mm. Widest part of pro- notum 7 mm. One male from \Yuchang, Hupeh, May, 1932, in author's collection. Terpnosia ichangensis spec. nov. Plate 6, Fig. 43. This insect is chiefly characterized by the two series of fuscous spots on tegmina and by the length of opercula which extend beyond the second abdominal ventrite. In general appearance, size, and also more or less the markings on the tegmina, it closely resembles nigrocosta Motschulsky from Japan (Distant, Mori. Orient. Cicad., 1892, p. 138). Body pale reddish brown and covered with silvery pile. Head declivous in front, as long as the space between eyes, and a little nar- rower than the base of mesonotum. Vertex suffused with piceous red and with two ill-defined transverse black fasciae (more or less connected laterally). The anterior one enlarged laterally but does not extend to the lateral margin. The posterior one fainter and more or less inter- rupted. An ill-defined transverse fascia behind the ocelli greenish ochra- ceous. Tylus suffused with red and with a reddish ochraceous central fascia extending to the face. Antennae castaneous. Eyes brown, prom- inent, and projecting. Ocelli shining red and more than twice as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum a little more than twice as wide as long, longer than head, shorter than mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation), distinctly 100 bulletin: MUSEUM of comparative zoology narrowed anteriorly, and with the lateral margins indented at the middle, and ampliated both at the posterior and anterior angles. The marginal area, a central longitudinal lanceolate fascia, and four more or less ill-defined short fascia? on the disc reddish ochraceous. Two central longitudinal fascia? (enlarged and connected both anteriorly and posteriorly), extreme margins (except the posterior angle), and the outer margin of the incisurial areas more or less dark castaneous. In- cisurial areas paler. Mesonotum greenish ochraceous with seven longitudinal fascia? from the anterior margin dark castaneous. The central one slender and reaching the cruciform elevation. The next two convergent, en- larged posteriorly and hook-like, and reaching only as far as the mid- dle, the third pair very short, the outermost pair prominent, enlarged and forked posteriorly, and reaching the cruciform elevation. Abdomen (18 mm.) one-third longer than the anterior half of the body and reddish brown with the lateral areas paler. Eighth tergite suddenly constricted, as long as the preceding one, castaneous with the posterior half paler. Anal tergite as long as the preceding one, reddish brown with a castaneous spot on each side, produced into a dorsal spine posteriorly. Tegmina and wings hyaline. Tegmina more than three times as long as wTide. Venation partly ochraceous and partly fuscous with a spot at the apex of radial area bright. Costal membrane greenish ochrace- ous. Basal cell longer than broad. Cross-veins of apical cells 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 infuscated. A series of submarginal spots fuscous. Venation of wings fuscous with the basal part of the lower median vein ochra- ceous. Bodv beneath paler with the anterior half reddish. Face moderatelv prominent, dark castaneous with the lateral transverse stripes, a cen- tral longitudinal fascia, and the lateral margins reddish ochraceous. Clypeus dark castaneous with two spots on the ridge reddish ochrace- ous. A large spot between the face and the eyes and the disc of lora black. Apex of rostrum castaneous. Legs reddish with the apices of femora ochraceous. Abdomen beneath pale ochraceous with the last segment and the genital plate darker. Opercula with the posterior angle extending just beyond the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite. Outer margin slightly con- vex. Posterior margin oblique and nearly straight. Inner angles well separated. Rostrum reaching behind the posterior coxa?. Seventh ventrite slightly sinuate behind, wrinkled on the posterior half of the disc, longer than the preceding one but as long as the genital plate. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 101 Body length 31 mm. Tegmina length 33 mm. Widest part of pro- notum 9 mm. One male from Ichang, Hupeh, in Harvard collection. Genus Lycurgus China Lycurgus subvitta Walker Plate 6, Fig. 35 Recorded in WVs Catalogue from "China." Genus G.eana Amyot and Serville Key to the Species Rostrum reaching just behind the middle coxre; black with the apical part dark fuscous; wings with basal half stramineous and the remaining area dark fuscous but without a series of sub- marginal spots vestita Rostrum reaching posterior coxa3, tegmina black with the apical region paler, wings black with a basal patch and a series of sub- marginal spots ochraceous maculata G.eana maculata Drury Plate 2, Fig. 11 Taken at Kweiping, Kwansi; known from many places in China. GjEana maculata consors Walker This variety differs from the typical form in the color of tegmina and wings being replaced by pale greenish, and also by the size of the basal spot on wings, which occupies nearly half the area. It also has two ochraceous stripes on the posterior margin of the seventh ventrite and does not have the ochraceous spots on the lateral margin of mesono- tum. The female also has two series of reddish spots on abdomen beneath. The material at hand came from Lamin, Assam. G. MACULATA BARBOURI Var. nOV. This variety is characterized by being entirely pale reddish brown with the anterior half of the body castaneous and by the absence of 102 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology ochraceous markings on the seventh ventrite. Tegmina and wings pale brown with venation reddish. The basal patch on wings greatly reduced. Posterior margins of abdominal tergites 3-7 (except on the lateral areas and the last segment) concolorous in the middle. Two Chinese specimens in Harvard collection. This variety is dedicated to Dr. Barbour, director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College. G. maculata distanti var. nov. Plate 2, Fig. 12 This variety is characterized by the presence of a series of faint short transverse narrow bands on abdomen beneath and by having tegmina and wings piceous with prominent black venation. Basal patch of wings greatly reduced. One male specimen from Hongkong. Genus Mogannia Amvot and Serville Key to the Species Body and legs brightly shining indigo-blue; head strongly pilose. cyanea Body and legs not indigo-blue 2 Tegmina with the basal third more or less irregularly suffused with greenish or ochraceous but without any traces of fuscous; body and legs pale greenish or ochraceous hebes Tegmina with the basal half either shining black, fuscous, or with a broad transverse fascia which is more or less margined with fuscous 3 Tegmina with a broad transverse fascia which is ochraceous, oblique, widened posteriorly, more or less margined with fuscous, and across the end of the radial area to the inner margin; body and legs pale castaneous and pilose nasalis Tegmina with the basal half either fuscous or shining black; body and legs black 4 Tegmina with the basal half fuscous and semi-opaque, extending from the end of the radial area to a little beyond the apex of the interior ulnar area; body above with a more or less defined and broken longitudinal central fascia extending from the apex of head to the apex of abdomen conica LIU! NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 103 Tegmina with the basal half shining black, containing a transverse hyaline fascia which occupies the basal half of the radial area and terminating beneath the basal cell; body above with a broad central longitudinal fascia but not extending to the apex of head. mandarina Mogannia cyanea Walker Plate 6, Fig. 32 Occurs at Yungshien, Kwansi; known from North China. Mogannia cyanea yungshienensis var. nov. Plate 6, Fig. 33 This variety differs from the typical form in having the fuscous band in the middle of the tegmina extending to the posterior margin and connected with the basal fuscous area by a narrow fuscous band on the claval margin. Costal vein and costal membrane also fuscous. Apical third of tegmina pale smoky. Abdomen above without tufts of white hairs. The color of the body is variable, one of the specimens looks dark sanguineous on the front of the head, the posterior legs, and the anterior femora. Three females from Yungshien, Kwangsi, May, 1933. Mogannia hebes Walker Plate 6, Fig. 34 Described from North China; occurs as far south as Canton, and west to Mt. Omei, Szechuan. Genus Huechys Amyot and Serville Key to the Species Pronotum with a distinct central fascia hoematica Pronotum concolorous sanguined Huechys sanguinea Degeer Plate 6, Fig. 29 Known from Canton, Macao, and Yungshien, Kwansi; and Hang- chow and Soochow, also Ichang, Hupeh. 104 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology H. sanguinea phil.emata Fabricius This variety differs from the typical form in the color of tegmina, which are fuscous but not black. The wings are also paler but occa- sionally may be more fuscous than the wings of the typical form. Two specimens from Wuchow and two from Yungshien. H. sanguinea var. B Distant This variety is characterized by the presence of greyish streaks on the apical and the ulnar area of tegmina. The number and size of these streaks vary among different specimens; sometimes they may be reduced to a few spots and sometimes present a series of longitudinal stripes. Distant points out that the wings are blackish with greyish white streaks. The wings of the specimen on hand are smoky or black- ish but show no sign of these greyish streaks. Three specimens from Yungshien, one from Foochow, one Tonking, two in Harvard collec- tion without definite locality except "China." Both Foochow and Tonking are new records for this species. H. SANGUINEA WUCHANGENSIS var. nOV. Very close to philcemata but differing in having the middle femora much darker or almost black while the anterior and the posterior ones bright castaneous. Tegmina still paler. Head and mesonotum black except the regular sanguineous spots of the species. Pronotum, stern - ites, opercula, and anal segment of abdomen ochraceous. The insect is smaller and more slender than the typical form or other varieties. Only one male specimen from Wuchang, Hupeh. This is also a new record for this species. H. SANGUINEA OCHER var. nOV. In this variety, the sanguineous part of the body of the species is replaced by ochraceous. Tegmina black with a few greyish white spots. Size larger and more robust. One female from Foochow, Fukien. Huechys h.ematica Distant Plate 6, Fig. 30 Occurs at Yungshien, Kwansi, and others labelled "China." LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 105 Genus Scieroptera Stal Scieroptera splendidula Fabricius Plate 6, Fig. 31 Occurs at Pingioo, Kwansi; others labelled "China." Genus Lisu gen. nov. This genus in general appearance, resembles some of the Pomponia in Cicadinos. According to the form of its abdomen, it is closer to the Chloroeystini but the texture of tegmina and the form of the genital appendages favor its association with the present tribe. Here it differs from all other members of the tribe by the form of pronotum, which is narrowed gradually toward the head, by the color of the base of wings and tegmina, which is not sanguineous, and also by the length of the crown, which is longer than broad. The eyes are also very prominent and together about as wide as the space between them. It is very close to the American Okanagana (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 16, 1905, p. 23). Head including eyes narrower than the base of mesonotum (exclud- ing cruciform elevation), much longer than the space between eye, and shorter than pronotum. Pronotum distinctly narrowed anteriorly. Abdomen slightly longer than the anterior half of the body, more or less triangular with a broad dorsal central longitudinal ridge and with the anal appendages prominent. Tegmina about three times as long as wide, talc-like, wrinkled, and with eight apical cells. Opercula very small and narrow. Anterior femora spined beneath. Tympanal orifice completely exposed. Type species L. neokanagana spec. nov. This new genus is close to Okanagana in the sulcation of the face, the size and shape of opercula, the relative length of rostrum, the rela- tive length of the tylus of head, the relative length of the basal cell of tegmina, and also by the construction of the anterior lateral margin of vertex over the antennae. The genus is dedicated to Lisu who was one of the best Chinese en- tomologists in the sixteenth century. Lisu neokanagana spec. nov. Plate 6, Fig. 41 This cicada can be easily recognized by the form of the body, which is moth-like, and by the tegmina which are greenishly tinged, wrinkled, and talc-like. The body attenuated both anteriorly and posteriorly. 106 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Body sparingly covered with silvery pile with the anterior half yellowish green and the abdominal section brownish. Head much narrower than the base of mesonotum, longer than the space between eyes, and shorter than pronotum. Vertex a little longer than broad with the anterior lateral margin almost conically dilated. Color yellow- ish green with the ocellar region and some stripes on the lateral area black or fuscous. Tylus yellowish green with the anterior margin fuscous. Eyes rusty brown, very prominent, and almost as wide as the space between them. Ocelli prominent and as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum as long as mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation), deflected laterally, ampliated at posterior angles, and gradually nar- rowed anteriorly. A longitudinal sulcus extending from the anterior half over the crown to the face beneath. Color yellowish green with the posterior angles, two stripes on the lateral marginal area, the lower part of the incisurial areas and a large stellate central spot on the posterior half of the disk more or less fuscous. The stellate spot much darker. Mesonotum yellowish green with four large obconical fascia? from the anterior margin, two small spots in front of the cruciform elevation, and a large spot on the disc of cruciform elevation fuscous. Abdomen (12 mm.) as long as the anterior half of the body, com- pressed laterally, gradually attenuated posteriorly, constricted suddenly in the middle of the eighth segment, and with the anal appendages prominent. Color brownish, more thickly covered with silvery hairs, and four series of fuscous spots on each side. The lower three spots on the second tergite fused to form a transverse fascia. Eighth tergite with the anterior half glabrous, slightly indented in the middle of the posterior margin, and twice as long as the preceding one. Anal tergite deeply excavated behind with the two lateral lobes en- circling the genital organ, and extending not as far as the genital plate beneath. Tegmina three times as long as wide, greenish-tinged, talc-like, wrinkled, and with a series of six fuscous spots in front of the ambient vein. Venation brown. Costal membrane fuscous. Basal cell elongate and wider at base. Basal membrane blackish with the lower margin reddish. Wings hyaline with venation ochraceous. Margin of anal area and veins of claval area more or less pale fuscous. Body beneath dull ochraceous. Face moderately prominent with the anterior half obliquely deflected, longitudinally sulcate in the middle, and yellowish green with the lateral transverse striations fuscous. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 107 Antennae fuscous and inserted in a hood formed by the anterior lateral margin of vertex. Lateral margin of the cheek, rostrum, legs, thoracic parts beneath, opercula, and abdomen beneath ochraceous. The abdominal part, except the genital plate, darker. The region between the face and eyes, annulation and spots on legs, two spots on mesos- ternite and some spots on abdominal ventrites more or less fuscous. The two mesosternal spots large, darker, and prominent. Anterior femora beneath provided with three spines. Opercula short, narrow, and more or less pointed. Outer margin oblique and slightly sinuate near base. Rostrum reaching the middle coxse. Seventh ventrite attenuated posteriorly, rounded behind, and twice as long as the preceding one. Genital plate longer than the preceding two united. Body length 25 mm. Tegmina length 33 mm. Widest part of pronotum 9 mm. One male specimen from Mt. Chingchen, Kuanshien, Szechuan, July, 1932, in the author's collection. Genus Melampsalta Kolenati Key to the Species 1. Tegmina with cross-veins of the second and the third apical cell infuscated; pronotum sinuate and angulate laterally. . .bifuscata Tegmina with the cross-veins of apical area not infuscated; pronotum not angulate laterally 2 2. Mesonotum ochraceous with four obconical black fascia from the anterior margin; abdomen more or less ochraceous with the posterior segmental margins not distinctly marked . . . pellosoma Mesonotum not so colored and marked; abdomen with the pos- terior segmental margins usually differently marked 3 3. Mesonotum with five longitudinal fascise (the central one narrow and the lateral four broad) ; abdomen with posterior half of each segment above yellowish red and the eighth tergite as long as the preceding two united neocruentata Mesonotum and abdomen not so colored and marked 4 4. Abdomen above dull black with the lateral area more or less dull yellowish; opercula with the base fuscous, head black with an olivaceous spot at the apex of tylus isshikii Abdomen above black with the posterior segmental margins variously marked 5 108 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology 5. Mesonotum ochraceous with the disc of cruciform elevation black; the lateral margins and two discal spots reddish ochraceous. Head black with a reddish ochraceous spot on the posterior margin inglisi Mesonotum black with a few spots, head black with the anterior lateral margin usually colored 6 6. Pronotum with the central longitudinal fascia enlarged pos- teriorlv • 7 Pronotum with the central longitudinal fascia not enlarged pos- teriorly 8 7. Abdomen above with the central portion of posterior segmental margins reddish; opercula black; pronotum with the anterior and the posterior margin reddish megerlei Abdomen above with the posterior segmental margins reddish; opercula reddish; a short longitudinal fascia on pronotum, some spots on head, and two small spots on mesonotum reddish. dimissa 8. Pronotum with the central longitudinal fascia enclosing two small black spots; opercula piceous with the margins testaceous. mogannia Pronotum with the central longitudinal fascia enclosing one black spot in the enlarged part 9 9. Mesonotum with two central longitudinal fascia?, each enclosing a black spot; head with the apical margin of the tylus and the anterior lateral margin of vertex testaceous soulii Mesonotum with only two small spots 10 10. The length of the fusion of the veins more than half as long as the basal cell of tegmina which are nearly straight on the anterior margin; head including eyes narrower than the base of mesono- tum and about half as long as wide (including eyes) .... wulsini The length of the fusion of the veins very short, at most about one- fifth as long as the basal cell, sometimes the radial vein and the ulnar vein only approaching. Tegmina with the anterior margin more or less convex; head including the eyes about as wide as the base of mesonotum and less than half as long as wide (including eyes) radiator LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 109 Melampsalta neocruentata spec. nov. Plate 6, Fig. 37 In general appearance, color and markings of body above, and shape and size of opercnla, this cicada is very close to cruentata Fabricius from New Zealand (vide Stal, Hem. Fab. 2, 1869, p. 116). However, it can be readily separated by the following characters. Size larger, wings more elongate, penultimate abdominal segment longer than the preceding two united, genital plate larger and more broadly rounded posteriorly, and abdomen above without a longitudinal central dorsal line of silvery pile. This is a small reddish cicada and covered thickly with appressed silver pile. General form of the body truncate in front and pointed behind. It can be separated from other related species known to occur in China by the presence of five black longitudinal fascia? on mesono- tum and two circular small spots in front of cruciform elevation. Head declivous in front, shorter than the space between eyes, and wider than the base of mesonotum. Vertex black with the anterior lateral margin and a spot on the posterior margin reddish. The anterior lateral margin slightly ridged and upwardly convex. Tylus small, only a little wider than the anterior lateral margin of vertex, and black with the anterior margin and a central longitudinal fascia reddish. Antennae black. Eyes greyish brown and speckled anteriorly. Ocelli shining red and about as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum deflected laterally, dilated at the posterior angle, longer than head, as long as mesonotum including the cruciform elevation, reddish with a median spot in front of the posterior margin; an ill- defined spot on the posterior angle, and the lateral incisurial areas black or dark fuscous. The black area on the incisurial disc broken. A longi- tudinal sulcus extending from pronotum over crown to face beneath. Mesonotum reddish with the following markings black: four broad and large obconical fascia? from the anterior margin, a central and slender fascia from the cruciform elevation, and two small circular spots in front of cruciform elevation. The two lateral fascia? extend to the anterior arms of the cruciform elevation which is fuscous. Abdomen (8 mm.) about as long as the anterior half of the body (or slightly longer), gradually attenuated posteriorly, and with the tym- panal orifice entirely exposed. Eighth tergite longer than the preceding two united and the anal tergite produced into a strong spine behind. The predominant color of abdomen above is black but nearly the pos- terior half of each segment (except the first one) reddish. 110 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Tegmina hyaline and about three times as long as wide. Venation greenish ochraceous with the apical half fuscous. Basal cell much longer than wide and wider at base. The fusion of the radial vein with ulnar vein about two-thirds as long as the basal cell. Basal membrane reddish. Wings hyaline. Venation ochraceous with apical half fuscous. Body beneath reddish. Face reddish with transverse lateral stria- tions black. Antenna?, cheeks, the region between face and eyes, and a large spot in the middle of the first two abdominal segments beneath black. Rostrum, tibiae, tarsi, and femora of anterior legs, streaks on anterior coxa?, and streaks on middle and posterior legs castaneous. Bases of opercula piceous. Opercula, genital plate, lateral area of the second abdominal ventrite, lateral areas of the sternites, and lateral stripes on anterior coxa? and femora more or less slightly reddish och- raceous. Abdomen beneath reddish. Opercula short, widely separated, with the outer margin sinuate near base, posterior margin slightly convex, and the inner angles rounded. With the specimen on hand, the posterior margin does not reach the second abdominal ventrite. Rostrum just reaching the middle coxa?. Genital plate about as long as the preceding one, elon- gate-ovate, and not projecting beyond the appendages as it is in cruen- tata. Body length 17 mm. Tegmina length 20 mm. Widest part of pro- notum 5 mm. One male specimen from Mt. Kiuhua, Anhwei, 1932, in author's collection. Melampsalta bifuscata spec. nov. Plate 6, Fig. 40 This cicada is evidently allied to the European species, M. adusta Hagen, by the infuscation of the first two cross-veins of tegmina (Melichar, Cicad. M it. -Eur., 1896, p. 9). According to Melichar's de- scription, the markings on the mesonotum also seem to be similar. But the most remarkable character of this new species is the angulation of the lateral margins of pronotum. A small black cicada, covered with erect long hairs and with the first two cross- veins of tegmina infuscated. Head declivous in front, about as long as the space between eyes, and narrower than the base of mesonotum. Vertex black with an ochraceous spot before the middle of the posterior margin. Tylus black with an ochraceous spot at the apex and only a little wider than the anterior lateral margin of vertex. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 111 Antennae black. Eyes brown. Ocelli shining red and about as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum longer than head, shorter than mesonotum (including cruciform elevation), a little narrowed anteriorly, ampliated at the posterior angle, and strongly angulately produced in the middle of the lateral margin. Color entirely black with the posterior margin reddish, an anterior central longitudinal short fascia, and three small spots arranged in a triangle before the middle of posterior margin ochraceous. Mesonotum black with the following markings ochraceous: — anterior lateral margin, posterior margin, two small angulate spots on the disc, and the lateral arms of cruciform elevation. Abdomen (10 mm.) a little longer than the anterior half of the body, pointed behind, and entirely black with the posterior margins of the segments above (except the first two) narrowly ochraceous. Tympanal orifice entirely exposed. Eighth tergite about as long as the preceding two united. Anal tergite produced behind into a strong spine. Tegmina hyaline, less than three times as long as wide, and the first two cross-veins of apical area infuscated. Costal membrane warm ochraceous. Basal membrane red. Venation greenish ochraceous with the apical half fuscous. Basal cell about twice as long as wide and wider at base. The fusion of the radial vein with ulnar vein very short, not more than one-fifth as long as the basal cell. Wings hyaline. Venation fuscous. Margins and veins of claval area more or less infuscated. The base of the fourth apical cell also infuscated. Body beneath black and more longly pilose. Lateral margin of face, streaks on femora, margins of pro- and mesopleurites, margins of coxal cavities, and the posterior margins of abdominal ventrites (except the first one and the seventh one) more or less red. Apex of coxa3, femora, and tibia? ochraceous. Opercula with the basal half piceous, the apical half reddish, and the marginal area paler. Rostrum black with the base paler. Opercula about reaching the posterior margin of the second abdom- inal ventrite with the outer margin sinuate near base, posterior margin convex, and inner angles rounded. Rostrum just passing the middle coxae. Seventh ventrite depressed on the disc of the posterior third and longer than the genital plate. Body length 21 mm. Tegmina length 25 mm. Widest part of pro- notum 8 mm. One male specimen from Ta-tsien-lu, Szechuan, Aug. 31, 1905, in Harvard collection. 112 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Melampsalta radiator Uhler Plate 6, Fig. 39 From Mukden, Manchuria and Shoutsu, Corea. Melampsalta wulsini spec. nov. Plate 6, Fig. 38 Superficially speaking, this small black cicada is very similar to M. radiator. This is especially true with regard to the size, general color, and the markings of the body, both above and beneath. The claval vein of the wings also infuscated. But it can be separated easily by a number of structural differences. For instance, in this new species, the head including the eyes is much narrower than the base of mesono- tum, the fusion of the radial vein with ulnar vein is much longer than the apical cross-vein of the basal cell, the genital plate is globose, and the seventh ventrite is much shorter than the preceding three united. In radiator, the genital plate is more or less elongate. Head declivous in front, shorter than the space between eyes, and narrower than the base of mesonotum. Vertex black with a spot before the middle of the posterior margin and the anterior lateral margin reddish ochraceous. Anterior lateral margin a little convex. Tylus black with a central longitudinal fascia reddish ochraceous. Eyes brown. Ocelli dull red and about as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum longer than head, about as long as mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation), narrowed anteriorly, deflected laterally, and ampliated at the posterior angle. Color entirely black with the anterior and posterior margins, a central longitudinal fascia (not reaching the margins in both directions and a little constricted on posterior third), and two angular spots before the posterior margin reddish ochraceous. The lateral marginal area more or less piceous. Mesonotum entirely black with the anterior lateral margin, two small angulate spots on the disc, and the lateral arms of cruciform ele- vation reddish ochraceous. Posterior lateral margins piceous. Abdomen (11 mm.) as long as the anterior half of the body, gradually attenuated posteriorly, and the tympanal orifice entirely exposed. Anal tergite produced into a strong spine. Eighth tergite shorter than the preceding two united. Color of abdomen above entirely black with the posterior margins of tergites 3-8 very narrowly ochraceous. Anal tergite black with the lateral areas ochraceous. LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 113 Tegmina and wings hyaline. Tegmina less than three times as long as wide with the anterior margin nearly straight. Costal membrane brown. Post-costal membrane piceous. Basal membrane reddish. Basal cell about theee times as long as wide. The fusion of the radial vein with ulnar vein is about two-thirds as long as the basal cell. Apical cells eight. Venation reddish ochraceous with the apical half fuscous. Wings with the veins and margins of the claval area infus- cated. Venation reddish ochraceous with the apical half fuscous. Body beneath ochraceous. Face black, deeply and longitudinally sulcate in the middle with a spot at base and the lateral and anterior margins ochraceous. Spots between the face and eyes, disc of cheeks, longitudinal streaks on legs, mesosternite, base of opercula, and a large spot in the middle of the second abdominal ventrite, black. Rostrum and the four median spots on abdomen beneath piceous. Opercula not reaching the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite with the outer margin sinuate near base, posterior margin convex, and the angles rounded. The general shape of opercula is similar to that of M. radiator, but the posterior margin more convex and the inner angles less pointed. Rostrum just passing the middle coxae. Seventh ventrite shorter than the preceding three united. Genital plate globose. Body length 21 mm. Tegmina length 25 mm. Widest part of prono- tum 8 mm. Holotype male from Hung Djen Djun, Shansi, in Harvard collection. This insect is dedicated to its collector, Prof. Wulsin of Harvard. Four Other New Oriental Species Platypleura intermedia spec. nov. These insects combine the characters of P. subrufa Walker (Distant, Mon. Orient. Cicad. 1892, p. 9) and P. octogattata Fabricius. The markings of the tegmina are those of the latter while the prominent lateral angulation of the pronotum and the markings of the body above are similar to those of the former. There are also two small spots on the pronotum as in octoguttata but very obscure. Body length 27 mm. Widest part of pronotum 15 mm. Tegmina 34 mm. Holotype male from Poffua, Ceylon. Two paratypic males from the same locality. 114 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology Pycna minor spec, now Plate 1, Fig. 5 Markings on the tegmina and wings very close to P. repanda but differing from it by having the anal area of the wing entirely ochrace- ous, rostrum reaching the posterior margin of opercula, size much smaller, and body thickly covered with long hairs. Head strongly declivous in front, three-fifths as long as the space between the eyes, and including the eyes a little narrower than the base of mesonotum. Vertex long pilose, suffused with brown, longi- tudinally sulcate in the middle, and with a faint darker transverse fascia between the eyes. Tylus with the anterior margin paler. Antenna3 brown. Eyes dark grey, shining, and embedded between the lateral margins of the pronotum and the anterior lateral margin of vertex. Ocelli shining red and about twice as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum dull brown with an obscure central longitudinal fascia and the lateral marginal areas darker, slightly longer than the head, shorter than mesonotum, nearly three times as wide as long, and with the lateral margins ampliated and angulated in the middle. Mesono- tum dull brown with the faint markings more or less similar to those of repanda, namely; four obconical broad fascia? from the anterior margin (the middle two shortest and the lateral two reaching the cruciform elevation) and a central longitudinal pointed fascia from the cruciform elevation reaching almost to the anterior margin. Abdomen shorter than the anterior half of the body, abruptly pointed behind, with the eighth tergite longer than the preceding one and the anal tergite sharply pointed; long pilose; black with the posterior margins of tergites 3-5 paler. Anal tergite shining. Tym- panal orifice completely covered. Flaps piceous. Tegmina nearly three times as long as wide. Costal membrane dilated and arched. Basal cell broadly triangular. Venation greenish- ochraceous with the apical half warm ochraceous. Basal membrane blackish with the posterior margin white. Markings as shown in the figure. Wings ochraceous with the apical margin hyaline and a large apical spot fuscous. Body beneath paler and long pilose. Face longitudinally sulcate in the middle, the lateral transverse striations pale. Legs and rostrum reddish brown. Opercula and abdomen beneath pale castaneous. Margins of opercula paler. Rostrum passing the posterior cox?e, but far from the posterior LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 115 margin of the opercula. Opercula broad and transverse, passing a little over the second ventrite with the outer margin convex, posterior margins slightly oblique and convex, and the inner angles overlapping. Seventh ventrite broadly triangular, sunken and wrinkled on the posterior two-thirds, and longer than the preceding two united. Lateral areas of the eighth tergite pulverulent. Body length 19 mm. Widest part of pronotum 11 mm. Tegmina length 29 mm. Holotype male from Koolloo, India (Carleton). Para types one male and three females from the same localitv. While the characters in re panda tend to be variable, those in the present species are apparently constant. Platylomia maculata spec. nov. A large cicada, uniformly dark castaneous, body above and the anterior half beneath thickly pilose, abdomen beneath glabrous. Closely allied to P.ficulnea Distant (Mon. Orient, dead., 1892, p. 102), especially by the markings of the tegmina, which are similar in both, but differing from it by the shape and length of the opercula, the length of the rostrum, shape and opacity of the basal cell, the promi- nence of the eyes, etc. Head declivous in front, shorter than the space between eyes, wider (including eyes) than the base of mesonotum, and with the lateral markings more or less in a straight line with the eyes. Eyes prominent, projecting, and with the posterior margin fringed with long hairs. Ocelli shining red and more than twice as far from the eyes as from each others. Tylus fairly prominent. Pronotum longer than head but shorter than mesonotum. Lateral margins prominently and sharply toothed in the middle. Incisurial areas and posterior marginal area roughly wrinkled. The anterior lateral marginal areas covered with appressed, shining golden hairs. These pilose areas appear to be connected by a broad stripe across the face. Mesonotum with the lateral margins and the region before the cruciform elevation covered with long golden hairs. The region before the cruciform elevation encloses two small circular spots. The top of the elevation and its arms glabrous and shining. Abdomen longer than the anterior half of the body, thickly pilose, second tergite the longest, sixth the shortest, eighth a little longer than the preceding one, narrowed posteriorly, and truncated behind, anal 116 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology tergite pointed and hardly visible from above. Tympanal orifice com- pletely covered. Tegmina pale brownish smoky. Venation partly dark fuscous and partly paler. Basal cell almost opaque and more than three times as long as wide. Basal membrane dark piceous. Cross-veins of apical cells 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 heavily infuscated. A series of six small fuscous spots just behind the ambient vein. Face rather prominent. Rostrum nearly reaching the posterior margin of the first abdominal ventrite. Opercula reaching behind the fourth ventrite (the third one of Distant), concavely sinuate near the base, broadly pointed at the apex, and widely separated from each other. The space between the opercula is more than the width of the operculum at its broadest part. Legs faintly and broadly annulated. Body length 48 mm. Widest part of pronotum 15 mm. Tegmina length 50 mm., width 16 mm. Holotype male from Tumlong, Sikkim. A male from Langkat, Su- matra, and a female from Baran River, Borneo are much paler in color and in the female the face is almost glabrous with a central longitudinal fascia which is yellowish but they may belong to this species. Terpnosia neocollina spec, now Plate 1, Fig. 6 A small brown slender and elongate cicada with abdomen about one- half longer than the anterior half of the body and allied to T. eollina Distant (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), I, 1888, p. 371) by the absence of maculate spots on tegmina and by the shape and size of opercula. Body above nearly glabrous. Head slightly declivous in front, shorter than the space between eyes, and including eyes about as wide as the base of mesonotum. Vertex reddish brown with a large central black spot on the ocellar region and three smaller black spots on each of the lateral areas. Tylus reddish brown with a spot at the apex ochraceous and the lateral transverse stria tions black. Antennae dark fuscous with the basal seg- ment reddish ochraceous and the base of the third segment paler. Eyes shining ochraceous, projecting, and with the posterior margin black. Ocelli shining ochraceous and about twice as far from the eyes as from each other. Pronotum reddish brown with the lateral and posterior marginal areas and the central longitudinal lanceolate fascia reddish ochraceous and the following markings dark fuscous: — a longitudinal fascia on LIU: NEW ORIENTAL CICADID.E 117 each side of the central area, two oblique stripes on each of the inci- surial areas, the outer incisure, two spots near the posterior angle (con- nected with the outer margin of the incisurial area), and the extreme posterior margin. Lateral margins deflected and posterior angles di- lated. It is shorter than mesonotum (excluding cruciform elevation), narrowed anteriorly, and more than twice as wide as long. Mesonotum reddish ochraceous with seven fascia? from the anterior margin and two small spots in front of the cruciform elevation black. Of the seven fascia?, the central one and the outmost pair reach the cruciform elevation. The pair next to the central one curved inward. The pair next to the outmost ones very small. Abdomen (15 mm.) one-half longer than the anterior half of the body, gradually attenuated posteriorly, and suddenly constricted on the eighth segment. Tympanal flaps about one-third as long as the orifice, piceous black with a small basal spot ochraceous. Abdomen above reddish ochraceous with the first tergite black, two series of spots on tergites 3 to 6, and tergites 7 and 8, fuscous. Eighth tergite about as long as the preceding one. Anal segment prominent. Anal tergite indented in the middle on the posterior margin and extending as far as the genital plate. Tegmina and wings hyaline. Tegmina a little more than three times as long as wide and wider than the wing. Basal cell elongate. Venation dark brown. Anal vein ochraceous. Venation of wings dark brown. Body beneath with the anterior half thickly covered with appressed short pile. Face moderately prominent, globose, ochraceous with longitudinal lateral fascia? black. The outer marginal part of these black fascia? interrupted by a series of ochraceous stripes. A spot on lora, a large spot on clypeus, a spot beneath eyes (extending to face), black. Apex of rostrum, tarsi, outer extreme margin of opercula, streaks on anterior femora, lower part of tibiae, reddish. Abdominal ventrites piceous but the second one dark castaneous. Opercula not reaching the posterior margin of the second abdominal ventrite, narrow, short, oblique, widely separated from each other, and with the posterior angles rounded. Rostrum reaching the posterior coxa?. Seventh ventrite oblique, sinuate laterally, slightly sinuate behind, and shorter than the preceding one. Genital plate rounded behind, a little longer than the preceding one, dark ochraceous, with a central longitudinal fascia piceous. Body length 24 mm. Widest part of pronotum 7 mm. Tegmina length 28 mm. Holotype male from Mt. Angka, Siam (Asiatic Primate Expedition). EXPLANATION OF PLATES PLATE 1 Liu: New Oriental Cicadid.e. PLATE 1 Fig. 1. Pycna repanda Linnaeus Fig. 2. Platypleura ksempferi Fabricius Fig. 3. Platypleura retracta Liu Fig. 4. Platypleura hilpa Walker Fig. 5. Pycna minor Liu Fig. 6. Terpnosia neocollina Liu BULL. MUS. COMP. ZOOL. Liu. New Oriental Cicadidae. Plate 1. ■^*f 3 ^ wNo 6 PLATE 2 Liu: New Oriental Cicadid.e. Fig. 7. Fig. 8. Fig. 9. Fig. 10. Fig. 11. Fig. 12. PLATE 2 Polyneura ducalis Westwood Graptopsaltria tienta Karsch Graptopsaltria colorata Stal, female Graptopsaltria colorata Stal, male Gseana maculata Drury Gseana maculata distanti Liu BULL. MUS. COMP. ZOOL. Liu. New Oriental Cicadidae. Plate 2. PLATE 3 Liu: New Oriental Cicadid.e. PLATE 3 Fig. 13. Cryptotympana mandarina Distant Fig. 14. Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius Fig. 15. Chremistica banksi Liu Fig. 16. Oncotympana maculaticollis Motschulsky Fig. 17. Pomponia fusca Olivier BULL. MUS. COMP. ZOOL. Liu. New Oriental Cicadidae. Plate 3. 13 14 15 16 17 PLATE 4 Liu: New Oriental Cicadid. e. PLATE 4 Fig. 18. Lyristes flammata Distant Fig. 19. Lyristes sinensis Distant Fig. 20. Purana clavohyalina Liu Fig. 21. Maua fukienensis Liu Fig. 22. Tanna obliqua Liu Fig. 23. Tanna japonensis Distant BULL. MUS. COMP. ZOOL. Liu. New Oriental Cicadidae. Plate 4. 18 *~x Z 19 20 21 C^'- x 22 23 PLATE 5 Liu: New Oriental Cicadid.e. PLATE 5 Fig. 24. Dundubia bifasciata Liu Fig. 25. Dundubia mannifera Linnaeus Fig. 26. Flatylomia kingvosana Liu Fig. 27. Meimuna neomongolica Liu Fig. 28. Meimuna opalifera Walker BULL. MUS. COMP. ZOOL. Liu. New Oriental Cicadidae. Plate 5. 24 25 26 27 28 PLATE 6 Liu: New Oriental Cicadid.e. PLATE 6 Fig. 29. Huechys sanguinea Degeer Fig. 30. Huechys hsematica Distant Fig. 31. Scieroptera splendidula Fabricius Fig. 32. Mogannia cyanea Walker Fig. 33. Mogannia cyanea yungshienensis Liu Fig. 34. Mogannia hebes Walker Fig. 35. Lycurgus subvitta Walker Fig. 36. Terpnosia andersoni Distant Fig. 37. Melampsalta neocruentata Liu BULL. MUS. COMP. ZOOL. Liu. New Oriental Cicadidae. Plate 6. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 PLATE 7 Liu: New Oriental Cicadid.e. PLATE 7 Fig. 38. Melampsalta wulsini Liu Fig. 39. Melampsalta radiator Uhler Fig. 40. Melampsalta bifuscata Liu Fig. 41. Lisu neokanagana Liu Fig. 42. Terpnosia obscura Liu Fig. 43. Terpnosia ichangensis Liu BULL. MUS. COMP. ZOOL. Liu. New Oriental Cicadidae. Plate 7. 38 / 39 \ 40 41 42 43 Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology AT HARVARD COLLEGE Vol. LXXXVIL No. 3 MAMMAL AND BIRD COLLECTIONS OF THE ASIATIC PRIMATE EXPEDITION Introduction, by Harold J. Coolidge, Jr. Mammals, by G. M. Allen & H. J. Coolidge, Jr. Birds from northern Siam, by James C. Greenway, Jr. Birds from Mt. Kinabalu, N. Borneo, by James L. Peters. CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U. S. A. PRINTED FOR THE MUSEUM December, 1940 ^ loci «<*»** DEC 1/ 1M0 v\ No. 3. — Mammal and Bird Collections of the Asiatic Primate Expedition INTRODUCTION By Harold J. Coolidge, Jr. The Asiatic Primate Expedition was organized by H. Coolidge. Its per- sonnel included Dr. Adolph H. Schultz, Associate Professor of Physical Anthropology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a research associate of the Carnegie Institution; Dr. C. R. Carpenter, lecturer in Psychology at Bard College and research associate of the Peabody Museum at Harvard; Sherwood L. Washburn, Harvard graduate student and Sheldon Travelling Fellow; John A. Griswold, Jr., research associate in the Museum of Comparative Zoology; H. G. Deignan, an ornithologist who collected with the expedition in Borneo; John T. Coolidge, Jr., and Andrew Wylie, volunteer assistants. Financial contributions from thirty different sources have been acknowledged elsewhere. These included the Milton and Sheldon Funds at Harvard. Johns Hopkins Medical School and Bard College, Columbia University, have our gratitude for granting leaves of absence with salary to valued members of their faculties for participation in this cooperative undertaking. It was in a large measure the interest of the beloved late Professor William Morton Wheeler, as well as Dr. Thomas Barbour, Dr. George B. WTislocki, Dr. Ernest A. Hooton, Mr. Donald Scott, Mr. Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr., Mrs. Amory A. Lawrence, and Mrs. James A. Sullivan that made the Expedition possible. Generous cooperation was extended to us by the Royal Siamese Government, the British North Borneo Company and their officials, the government of French Indo-China, the military and civil officials of the Netherlands Indies Government in Sumatra, Mr. J. Holbrook Chapman, our charge d'affaires in Bangkok, and other American foreign service officials in Bangkok, Singapore, Saigon, Batavia, Pe- nang, and Medan. We owe special gratitude to the Presbyterian Mis- sion in Chiengmai, particularly to Reverend William Harris, Principal of Prince Royal's College, Dr. Edwin C. Cort, Superintendent of the McCormick Hospital, Miss Bates of the Jesselton Hospital, Dr. V. A. Stookes of Sandakan, the Deli Maatschappij of Sumatra; and thanks to Mr. F. N. Chasen of the Raffles Museum, Mr. E. Banks of the Sarawak Museum, Dr. W. C. Osman Hill of Colombo, Dr. E. C. Dammerman of Buitenzorg, Dr. and Mrs. George Pinkley of the 122 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology American Museum, Baron Rodolphe M. de Schauensee of the x\cademy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Dr. James Andrews of the Peabody Museum at Harvard, Mrs. and the late Mr. Martin Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Keith of Sandakan, Mr. Richard Evans and Mr. George Moffat of Jesselton, Dr. Lindsay Ride of the University of Hongkong, Mr. Peter W. Jansen, Mr. Herbert Cremer, Mr. P. G. Van Tienhoven, all of Amsterdam; Baron and Baroness Von Styrum of Medan, Mr. Monet B. Davis, our former Consul General in Singapore, Mr. Quincy Roberts, our former Consul in Saigon. Contributions of equipment were gratefully received from the Remington Arms Company, the Burgess Battery Company, the Bell Telephone Laboratories, the Kohler Manufacturing Company, S. S. Pierce Company, the Borden Company, Dewey and Almy Chemical Company, J. H. Emerson of Cambridge, Dr. Robert K. Enders of Swarthmore, the Harvard Film Service, the Harvard Travel- lers Club and Dr. George C. Shattuck of the Harvard Medical School. The Expedition operated in Siam, 1 French Indo-China, British North Borneo, and Sumatra from January to September, 1937. There were three main objectives for the field work. The first was to make collections of skins, skeletons, parasites and selected anatomical material, including embryos, of important primate types, especially the gibbon and the orang-utan. Five hundred specimens were col- lected. The primate collections were documented by detailed field measurements especially for comparative growth studies. Reports on various phases of the physical studies on primates are now in prepara- tion by Schultz, Wislocki, Washburn, and Coolidge. Some prelimi- nary reports have already been published. The second objective was to make the first behavior study of wild gibbons in their undisturbed natural environment as well as a survey of the possibility of making a similar study of the orang-utan in Sumatra at some future time. Dr. C. R. Carpenter procured films and recordings as well as extensive notes, from which he is preparing a re- port on his gibbon behavior studies, and a brief report on the orang- utan in North Sumatra has already been published. The third objective was to make general zoological collections for the Museum of Comparative Zoology from varying altitude zones in Northern Siam and British North Borneo. These totalled thirty- five hundred birds and mammals. A small collection, principally of large mammals, was also procured in French Indo-China. The pur- 'Now officially known as Thailand. ASIATIC PRIMATE EXPEDITION COLLECTIONS 123 pose of this paper is to list with notes the more important birds and mammals procured in Siam, Indo-China, and North Borneo. Mr. J. A. Griswold, Jr., was personally responsible for the making of a large part of the Kinabalu collection, and we are indebted to Mr. Wylie for a small collection of Indo-Chinese mammals. The chief collecting in Siam was done in the Chiengmai region 350 miles north of Bangkok. The base camp for mountain collecting was at an altitude of 4300 ft. on Doi Intanon or Mt. Angka with additional collecting camps at about 5500, 6000 and 8075 ft. This third camp was at the summit of the highest mountain in Siam. There was another base camp at Chieng Dao at the foot of Mt. (Doi) Dao. In Indo-China, Wylie did his collecting in the open forest of Southern Annam about 40 miles from Ban Me Thouet. In North Borneo some collecting was done from Jesselton on the west coast, close to sea level. From this point Griswold made his in*" 1 118° 50 300 Scale of Miles 6°N 2 ~N Sketch map of Northern Borneo to show collecting localities of the Asiatic Primate Expedition (1937). ascent of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia. He collected for three months at varying altitudes, his principal base camp being at Lumu Lumu in the primary forest at 5500 ft. He also 124 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology had collecting camps at Bundutuan about 3300 ft., Pakka Cave about 10,000 ft., Sayat Sayat at 12,000 ft., and reached the summit of Lowe's Peak 13,455 ft. On the east coast of North Borneo the primate study camp was at Abai near the mouth of the great Kinabatangan River, six hours by launch and 50 miles from Sandakan. H. G. Deignan collected lowland birds for us in the forest close to Sandakan, also at Merotai Besar, and at the mouth of the Kalabakang River on the east coast, not far from Tawao. SOUTH CHINA SEA