(a) Ogmodon.
This genus is characterised by the maxillary bones extending forwards as far as the palatines, and bearing, in addition to the poison-fangs, 6-7 grooved teeth. The head is not distinct from the neck; the eyes are very small. The body is cylindrical, and covered with smooth scales in 17 rows. Tail short; subcaudal scales in 2 rows.
O. vitianus.—Snout elongate, pointed; 139-152 ventral scales; 27-38 subcaudals.
Colour dark brown, lighter on the sides; belly brown or white, more or less spotted with black; tail black.
Total length, 360 millimetres; tail 45.
Habitat: Fiji Islands.
Fig. 43.—Skull of Glyphodon tristis (Australian Colubrine).
(After G. A. Boulenger, op. cit.)
(b) Glyphodon.
General characters the same; snout rounded; poison-fangs followed, after a wide interspace, by 6 small grooved teeth; anterior mandibular teeth strongly developed ([fig. 43]). Head and eyes small; pupils round or vertically subelliptic; nostrils pierced between 2 nasal shields. Body cylindrical; scales smooth, in 17 rows; tail short; subcaudals in 2 rows.