JSoVAtC /?*L<J

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

OF THE

MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY

Library of
SAMUEL GARMAN

7°, 8 ? 8

tjcttrwa/n.

CATALOGI >F REPTILES

INHABITING THE

MALAYAN PENINSULA AND ISLANDS,

COLLECTED OR OBSERVED

By THEODORE CANTOR, Esq., M. D.

BENGAL MEDICAL SERVICE.

CATALOGUE OF REPTILES

INHABITING THE

.MALAYAN PENINSULA AND ISLANDS,

COLLECTED OR OBSERVED

BY

THEODORE CANTOR, ESQ., M. D.

BENGAL MEDICAL SERVICE.

Extracted from the Journal of the Asiatic Society, edited by W. B. O'Shaug-'hnessy,
Esq., M.D , and J. W. Laidley, Esq., Joint Secretaries, Nos. CLXXX. CLXXXII. and
CLXXXIII. Vol. XVI. Calcutta 1847.

CALCUTTA :

PRINTED BY J. THOMAS, AT THE BAPTIST MISSION PRESS,

CIRCULAR ROAD.

1847.

HAI [IVERSnT

C/- ;- USA

jN

*

CATALOGUE OF REPTILES

INHABITING THE

MALAYAN PENINSULA AND ISLANDS,

ERRATA.

Page 8 line 16 for Potamida read Potamide,

,, 15 „ .23 for biporcatus read porosus.

„ 17 Note: for Geckotidce read Geckonidce.

„ 37 line 3 for on the Pinang read in the Pinang.

,, 50 „ 5 for Polycopodimn read Polypodimn.

„ 74 ,, 30 for Hexahonotus read Hexagonotus.

„ 80 „ 6 for catenularies read cutenularis.

„ 82 „ 5 for Dryiphis read Dryiophis.

,, 152 ,, 8 from below, for [This read The latter,

„ 152 ,, 5 from below, for crinitas read crinitus.

Geoemyda spinosa, Gray.

Shell oblong, subquadrate, keeled, flattened above, chestnut coloured,
front and hinder edge strongly serrated ; vertebral plates broad, first
suburceolate ; costal plates with a posterior, subsuperior areola, with a
slight subconic tubercle ; beneath yellow, brown rayed ; young depress-

;•■

^

c

CATALOGUE OF REPTILES

INHABITING THE

MALAYAN PENINSULA AND ISLANDS,

COLLECTED OR OBSERVED BY

THEODORE CANTOR, ESQ. M.D.,

Bengal Medical Service.

[Localities printed in Italics signify those from whence the animals of the Catalogue
were obtained ; in ordinary type those previously given by authors. The descriptions are
in most cases taken from life ; in the few in which it is expressly noted, shortly after death ,
in none from specimens preserved in spirits of wine.]

CHELONIA.

FAM. ELODID.E, OR MARSH-TORTOISES, Bum. and Bibr.
Sub-Fam. Cryptoderin.*:, Dum. and Bibr.
Gen. Geoemyda, Gray.
Head covered with thin continued skin ; chin not bearded. Legs
strong, not fringed behind. Toes 5-4, strong, short, free, covered
above by a series of shields ; claws short. Tail tapering ; shell depress-
ed, three-keeled; hinder edge strongly toothed. Sternum solid,
broad truncated before, notched behind ; gular plate linear, band-like,
small ; axillary and inguinal plates small.

Geoemyda spinosa, (Bell.)

Syn. — Emys spinosa, Bell apud Dum. and Bibr.
Emys bispinosa, Schlegel.
Testudo emys, Muller ?
Geoemyda spinosa, Gray.

Shell oblong, subquadrate, keeled, flattened above, chestnut coloured,
front and hinder edge strongly serrated ; vertebral plates broad, first
suburceolate ; costal plates with a posterior, subsuperior areola, with a
slight subconic tubercle ; beneath yellow, brown rayed ; youny depress-

('dialogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

ed, pale brown, bluntly keeled, with a distinct spine in the areola of
each discal plate.

Habit. — Piuang Hills.
Sumatra.
Two individuals were observed by the Hon'ble Sir William Norris,
late Recorder of H. M. Court of Judicature in the Straits of Malacca,
on the Great Hill at Pinang, at a distance from water. The colour of
the shell is a dirty brownish ochre, here and there with sooty rays,
which numerously intersect the concave sternum. The keel, the mar-
ginal spines, and the costal tubercles are nearly obliterated, and the
shell presents frequent marks of corrosion. The larger individual is of
the following; dimensions : —

o

Length of the head, If inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 1|

Ditto ditto shell, 8

Ditto ditto tail, If

A large tick was firmly adhering to the throat of one of these
tortoises, the presence of which however does not indicate an exclusive-
ly terrestrial life, as one species at least of the Ricinice (Ixodes ophio-
phihis, Midler?) occurs on acmatic as well as terrestrial serpents. The
following are the characters of Ixodes geoemydce. The short sucker
is depressed, slightly widening towards the bifid apex, and encased by
the palpi. Above, and at a short distance from the latter, are two
minute rounded fossae. The cephalic, tetragonal plate is of a reddish
brown colour, with a yellow spot at the posterior angle. The oval body
is dark pearl-coloured. On each side close to the articulation of the
posterior leg appears a small rounded horny plate. The legs are red-
dish brown with a yellow spot at each of the joints, except the last.
Swollen, as the tick appeared, it measured six-eights of an inch in
length ; half an inch in breadth.

Gen. Emys, Brogniart.
Head moderate, covered with a thin hard skin ; chin not bearded.
Feet short, covered with scales ; toes 5-4, strong, shielded above,
webbed to the claws. Tail moderate. Shell depressed. Sternum solid,
broad, truncated before, notched behind, affixed to the thorax by a bony
symphysis, covered by the ends of the pectoral and abdominal plates ;
axillary and inguinal plates moderate, distinct.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. ,S

A . — Vertebral plates lozenge-shaped. — Gray.
Emys crassicollis, Bell, MSS. apud Gray.
Syn. — Emys crassicollis, Bell, apud Dam. and Bibr.
Emys spengleri, Var, Schlegel.
Shell ovate, oblong, rather convex, revolute on the sides and deeply
toothed behind, black, slightly three-keeled ; keels close ; first verte-
bral plate elongate, six-sided ; sternum flat, pale, and keeled on the
sides; head and neck thick, black.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang.
Sumatra, Java.
In Malayan individuals, numerously inhabiting rivulets and ponds
in the valleys, the throat is whitish, and a small white spot appears on
each side of the occiput. The vertebral keels and the lateral spines
become obliterated with age. The largest individual observed was of
the following dimensions : —

Length of the head, If inch.

Ditto ditto neck, If

Ditto ditto shell, 9

Ditto ditto tail, V 1 \

It feeds upon frogs and also upon shell-fish and animal offal. Old
Malay women, who may be seen after every heavy fall of rain, spending
hours, rod in hand, over the overflowing ditches, out of which their
huts rise, are often ludicrously disappointed on perceiving this tortoise
on the hook.

B. — Vertebral plates broad, six-sided. Gray.
Emys platynota, — Grav.
Syn. — " Katong" of the Malays of the Peninsula.

Shell ovate, convex, yellow dotted, with the centre of the back quil
flat, as if truncated ; shields striated, nucleus central : vertebral shields
broader than long, six-sided, 5th keeled ; the front and hinder margin
strongly toothed ; sternum flat, truncated before ; and slightly notched
behind ; tail moderate, tapering.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang.
Sumatra.
Mr. Gray's description refers to the young animal, of which the
length of the shell is given in Proceed. Zoolog. Hoc. 1834. P. 54,
as 9 inches. The representation of Emys platynotha in Illust. Sad.

4 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Zool. from its size, and the strongly toothed flat front and hind margins
of the shell, also appears to be a young animal. The penultimate, the
fourth, vertebral shield is represented as divided in two pieces, which
if so in the original, must be accidental, as normally the fourth vertebral
shield is six-sided, and in size nearly equalling the preceding. The nuclei
of the costal shields are more central than represented in the plate.

In the living adult animal the head, neck, shell, tail and feet are of a
dirty yellowish, or greenish brown, which becomes paler on the sternum.
The nuclei of the vertebral shields are slightly raised. The costal shields
are depressed, their sides sloping towards the nuclei, thus forming as it
were very shallow hexagonal basins. The front and hind margins are
broadly revolute, their toothed appearance worn off. The sternum is
slightly concave in the centre. The largest individual was of the fol-
lowing dimensions :

Length of the head,1. 0 feet 3 inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 0 3

Ditto ditto shell, 1 7£

Ditto ditto tail, 0 2f

It lived in my garden at Pinang upwards of a twelvemonth, appa-
rently without food, aud it was never observed to enter a tank. The
shell bears deep white marks of corrosion, in appearance like that
observed in Testacea inhabiting stagnant water. The animal suffered
itself to be touched with impunity, never offering to scratch or bite.
This tortoise inhabits the valleys, but is apparently not numerous.
Emys trivittata, Dumeril and Bibron.
Shell smooth, entire, subcordiform, arched, yellowish green, and with
three broad longitudinal black bands ; jaws toothed.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang.
Bengal.
It inhabits rivers and ponds on the Malayan Peninsula, but appears
not to be numerous. In the Malayan adult animal there is a large
black spot situated at the anterior, lower angle of the marginal shields,
there is no trace of a keel in the centre of the vertebral shields, and
the very minute nuchal shield is triangular, with the apex towards the
vertebral shields. The shield is rather oval than subcordiform. The
sternum is slightly arched, of a pale whitish yellow. The largest
individual was of the following dimensions :

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 5

Length of the head, 0 feet 3 inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 0 2|

Ditto ditto shell, 1 6

Ditto ditto tail, 0 2|

Gen. Cistudo, Fleming.

Head moderate, covered with a thin hard continued skin, Toes

5-4, webbed to the claws, web thick, with a small intermediate lobe

between the claws. Tail short. Shell convex, ovate, or hemispherical.

Sternum broad, rounded before and behind, completely closing the

cavity of the thorax, affixed to it by a ligamentous, symphysis, and

divided by a cross suture between the pectoral and abdominal plates.

Sternal shields twelve. Inguinal and axillary plates very small, but

distinct. Marginal plates 23-27. Nuchal plate small or wanting.

Cistudo amboinensis, (Daudin.)

Syn. — Testudo amboinensis, Daudin.

Emys amboinensis, and couro, Scbweigger,

Tortue a boite d' Amboine, Bosc.

Tevrapene amboinensis, Merrem,

Kinosternon amboinense, Bell.

Cistuda amboinensis, Gray.

Terrapene couro, Fitzinger.

Emys couro, apud Wagler.

Terrapene bieolor. Bell.

Emys couro, Var. Schlegel, apud Gray.

" Bailing" of the Malays of the Peninsula.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Singapore.

Java, Amboina, Philippine Islands, Tenasserim provinces.
Shell hemispherical, slightly three-keeled, blackish, margin broad
expanded, nuchal shield linear ; sternum black and yellow-varied ;
animal blackish, varied with yellow, head dark with two broad yellow
streaks on each side.

The dorsal keels become obsolete with age, and the margin of the
shell, particularly the posterior part, becomes revolute. This species
appears to be numerous in the valleys, in ponds, rivulets and paddy
fields. It is very timid, withdrawing its head and limbs when handled,
though it neither bites nor scratches. The largest individual observed
was of the following dimensions.

Length of the head, 2 inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 2^

Ditto ditto shell, 7

Ditto ditto tail, . . . 1

G Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Gen. Tetraonyx, Lesson.
Toes live ; nails 4-4 ; sternum solid, broad with six pairs of
shields ; 25 marginal shields.

Tetraonyx affinis, N. S.
Young. Shell orbicular, its breadth exceeding its length ; the back
sharply keeled longitudinally, slightly arched, laterally depressed ;
costal shields with a tubercular nucleus at the posterior margin ; grey-
ish green olive, minutely spotted with brown ; edge sharply toothed,
pale greenish yellow. Sternum truncated in front, angularly indented
behind, narrow, yellow ; laterally keeled, eompresspd, pale yellowish
green.

Habit. — Sea off Pinang.

The outline of the shell and its composing shields strikingly resem-
ble the young of Cyclemys orbiculata, Bell.*

The nuchal shield (wanting in one individual,) is small, subrectangular
or subtriangular, with the base directed backwards. The vertebral shields
are strongly keeled, laterally sloping, hexagonal, broader than long,
which however with the first is less the case than with the rest ; the
second, third and fourth are the broadest, and of nearly equal size ; the
fifth assumes a broadly truncated triangular shape. The costal shields are
nearly all as broad as long ; the first, second and third have each a tuber-
cular nucleus in the centre of the posterior margin, the fourth is smooth,
and a little smaller than the preceding. The first pair of marginal shields
is truncated triangular, the second, and third subrectangular ; the fourth
sixth, and eighth pentagonal ; the rest subrectangular. In all, the pos-
terior external angle forms a more or less sharp spine, directed over the
anterior external margin of the next shield. From the first to the
sixth the shields gradually increase in size, the sixth being the largest
and broadest, from which the following gradually decrease towards the
twelfth pair, and their angular spines become obsolete. The sternum
consists of two parts : one central, and two lateral, formed by the sterno-
costal processes of the two central pairs, sharply sloping towards the
marginal shields. The central part is longitudinally a little concave,
narrowing towards both extremities, truncated in front, angularly iu-

* Syn. Emys dentata. Illust. Ind. Zoolog-. — Emy: dhor, Gray. — Emys hasseltii, Boie.
— Emys spengleri, Vat. Schlegel. — Cistudo diardii, Dum. and Bibr.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 7

dentated behind. Thegular pair of shields is very short, broadly sub-
i ii angular with the posterior margin concave, curved backwards. The
second, and fifth pairs are of nearly equal size, subquadrangular, their
external margins forming a sharp ridge. The central part of the third
and fourth pairs is subrectangular, broader than long, their margins
forming a sharp ridge where they join the sterno-costal processes.
The latter are of nearly equal size, longer than broad, their united
length being less than one half of the central part of the sternum. The
sixth pair is subrhomboidal, longer than broad. The axillary and in-
guinal pairs are large ; the former subrhomboidal or lozeng-shaped,
the latter subtriangular. The head is conic ; the muzzle short pointed ;
the vertex irregularly wrinkled. On the temples, cheeks, and round
the orbits, and the lower jaw appear some large polygonal scales. The
occiput, angle of the mouth, and the rounded tympanum are covered
with similar minute scales. The eyes are large, prominent ; the iris
silvery grey ; the pupil round black. The nostrils are minute, round,
horizontally pierced, close together at the apex of the muzzle. The
jaws are minutely toothed ; the upper has at the symphysis two larger
teeth, between which fits a similar single one in the lower jaw, thus
hermetically closing the mouth. The neck, the throat and the other
soft parts are studded with minute tubercles, except the fore-arm, the
posterior tarsal margin, and the back of the fingers and toes, which are
covered with broad, but very short, polygonal scales. On the ulnar
margin of the fore-arm are four to five large rounded flexible scales.
The interdigital web is large and lax. The nails are strong, of nearly
equal size, sharp, and arched. The conical tail reaches but little beyond
the shell, with a longitudinal furrow behind the vent. The head, neck,
throat and the limbs are of the same greyish green olive as the shell.
The interdigital membrane is blackish, except the web connecting the
fourth and fifth (nailless) toe, which is of a bright greenish yellow
colour. Of three individuals observed, differing but little in size, the
largest was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto neck, Of

Ditto ditto shell, 2f

Ditto ditto tail, 0|

Greatest transverse diameter of the shell, 2f

8 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Two were at different times found in fishing stakes placed along the
sea-shore of Pinang ; a third was also taken out of the sea with a small
hook, baited with a shrimp. The Malays assert that this tortoise also
inhabits estuaries and rivers on the Peninsula, and that it grows to a
considerable size. The young is very timid, withdrawing^the head and
extremities when touched, and thus it remained immoveable while a
sketch was taken.

From the description of the young of Tetraonyx lessonii, Dum.
and Bibr. given in Erpetologie Generate, Tome 2, p. 338, and from
the plates of JEmys batagur and Emys baska, in lllu&tr. Ind. Zool.,
from B. Hamilton's MSS., the present appears to differ in too
many particulars, to warrant the conclusion of its being the young of
those or that species.* The detailed description of the young will
enable future observers, who may succeed in examining the adult,
finally to decide the question.

FAM. POTAMIDA, OR RIVER-TORTOISES, Bum. and Bibr.
Gen. Gymnopus, Bum. and Bibr.

(Trionyx, Geoffroy. — Aspidonectes, Wagler. — Tyrse, Bogania, Chitra,

Gray.)

Shell cartilaginous in its circumference, very broad, flexible behind,
and externally not bony ; sternum too narrow behind completely to
cover the extremities, when the animal withdraws them under the shell.

Gymnopus gangeticus, (Cuvier.)

Syn. — Testudo ocellatus, (Young.) "1

Testudo hurum, > Buchan. Ham. MSS.

Testudo chim, (Adult.) J

Trionyx gangeticus, Cuvier.
. Trionyx hurum, Gray.

Trionyx hurum, Illust. Ind. Zool.
Trionyx ocellatus, Illust. Ind. Zool. (Young.)
Trionyx gangeticus, Var, Guerin. (Young.)
Gymnopus ocellatus, Dum. and Bibr. (Young.)
Gymnopus duvaucellii, Dum. and Bibr.
Tyrse gangetica, Gray : Catal.

Young. — (Testudo ocellatus, B. Ham. MSS.) Head above pale
olive with one large yellow spot between the eyes and a similar behind

* M.M. Dumeril and Bibron describe them as two distinct species ; Mr. Gray is oi

opinion that they are identical.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 9

each eye ; neck, limbs and posterior margin of the shell dark olive
with paler round spots ; shell olive with black irregular lines, and 4
or 5 central ocelli, black in the centre, edged with red, round which a
black ring; sternum pale whitish-olive.

Testudo hurum, B. Ham, MSS. is the transition state of the
former, being about changing the livery. Head yellow olive, with
irregular dark lines ; shell light olive, vermiculated with blackish or
dark olive. The four ocelli are present, but are altered in colours and
shape : the centre, instead of being black, is like the rest of the sur-
face, light olive, vermiculated with black ; the red ring is changed to
black, and the outer black one to light olive. The shape is changed
from round to irregular oval.

Adult. {Testudo chim, B. Ham. MSS.) Dark olive-green, vermicu-
lated, and spotted with light olive brown. Beneath greenish white.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang {Rivers and Sea-coast.)
Rivers and Bay of Bengal.
It is of fierce habits, desperately defending itself by biting, emit-
ting when excited a low, hoarse, cackling sound. At Pinang the present
species appears to be far less numerous than the two following. The
largest individual was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 feet 4 inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 0 4|

Ditto ditto shell, 1 1 1

Ditto ditto tail, 0 5

Gym n opus cartilaginea, (Boddaert.)

Syn. — Young.

Testudo cartilaginea, Boddaert.

Testudo boddaertii, Schneider.

Testudo rostrata, Thunberg ?

Testudo rostrata, apud Schoepff, and Daudin ?

Trionyx stellatus, Geoffroy.

Trionyx stellatus, apud Merrem.

Aspidonectes javanicus, Wagler.

Adult.

Trionyx javanicus, Geoffroy.

Trionyx javanicus, apud Schweigger and Gray.

Gvmnopus javanicus, Dumeril and Bibron.

Tyrse javanica, Gray : Catal.

Very Young. — Above olive green ; the head and upper part of the
neck with numerous small white spots, becoming larger and more

10 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

distant on the cheeks and chin ; on the vertex, two round black spots ;
on the oeciput two diverging black lines ; the shell with several large
black white-ringed spots, between which numerous smaller indistinct
white spots ; margin pale white ; several longitudinal ridges, composed
of close minute tubercles. Beneath greenish white.

Older. — Above uniformly olive-green ; the longitudinal ridges of
the shell consisting of tubercles, more distant and proportionally smaller
than in the very young.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang.

Java, Dukhun, " India," "China."
This species is numerous in rivers and ponds. The largest indivi-
dual observed was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 2f inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 2f

Ditto ditto shell, 6f

Ditto ditto tail, Of

GYMNorus indicits, (Gray.)

Syn. — Testiulo chitra, Buclian. Ham. MSS.
Trionyx, indieus, Gray.

Trionyx segyptiacus, Var. indica, Gray : 111. Ind. Zool.
Gymnopus lineatus, Dumeril and Bibron.
Chitra indica, Gray : Catal.

Shell remarkably depressed, smooth.* Above greenish olive, vermi-
culated and spotted with brown or rust colour ; beneath greenish white.

Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula, (Estuaries, Sea Coast).
Rivers in India, Philippine Islands.
At Pinang this species is frequently taken in the fishing stakes. The
Chinese inhabitants greatly relish this as well as the preceding species
of Gymnopus, as articles of food. Individuals weighing 2-10ibs. occur
in the Ganges, and others of gigantic dimensions are not uncommon at
Pinang. It is very powerful, and of ferocious habits. The largest
individual measured :

* In the living adult no longitudinal central depression is apparent, nor the outline ol
the costa?, as represented in the figure in Illustrations of l»<li<in Zoology

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 11

Length oi the head, 0 feet (3 inch

Ditto ditto neck, 0 5

Ditto ditto shell, 3 1

Ditto ditto tail, 0 4

FAM, THALASSIDiE, Oil TURTLES, Dum. and Bibr.
Gen. Chelonia, Brogniart.
Body covered with horny plates ; fins with one or two nails.

Sub-Gen. Chelonia libera1 (Chelonees j 'ranches). Bum. and Bibr.

Discal shields 13, not imbricate ; muzzle short, rounded ; upper jaw

slightly notched in front, toothed on the sides ; lower jaw formed of

three pieces, and with the edges deeply toothed ; the first finger of each

fin nailed.

Chelonia virgata, Schweigger.

Svx.— Turtle of the Red Sea, Bruce.

Chelonia virgata, apud Cuvier, Guerhi, Dume'ril and Bibrou, Gray :

Catal.
Chelonia midas, Var. D. Gray.
Chelouia faseiata, Cuvier, apud Schlegel.
" Pinyu" of the Malays of Piuang.

Young. — Head, shell and fins greenish black ; margin of the shell
and fins and sternum white.

Adult. — Head and fins chestnut, scales edged with yellow ; shell
greenish yellow with chestnut rays and spots ; sternum gamboge, or
greenish yellow.
Habit. — Malayan Seas.

Teneriffe, Rio Janeiro, Cape of Good Hope, New York, Indian
Ocean, Red Sea.

This species is at all seasons plentifully taken in fishing stakes iu
the straits of Malacca, and is the " Green Turtle" of the European
inhabitants of our Malayan settlements, and of the sea-ports of In-
dia. In size it equals Chelonia midas, Schweigger, which it rivals in
flavour. About December and January is the season when the female
deposits her eggs in the sandy beach of some sequestered island, and
then the fishermen watch during the moonlight nights to " turn
turtles." The eggs are of a spherical shape, about one inch in dia-
metei-, covered by a soft hemitransparent membrane of a pale yellow
colour. The expert eye of the fishermen baffles the pains with which
the turtle conceals her eggs, and prodigious numbers are disinterred.

12 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

They are very rich, flavoured like marrow, and will keep for weeks al-
though exposed to the air.

M. M. Dumeril and Bibrou have pointed out the differences between
the adult of the present species and Chelonia midas, Schweigger, prin-
cipally consisting in colours, and in the form of the vertebral and
costal shields, to which may be added the comparative greater length
of the fronto-nasal shields in Chelonia virgata, in which the breadth is
one-third of the length, whereas in Chelonia midas it is one-half, and
these proportions appear to be constant in all ages of the two species.
The very young of both greatly resemble each other in colours and
shape. Six living young of the present species were all of the follow-
ing dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 0^-

Ditto ditto shell, 2

Ditto ditto tail, Of

The following slight differences are the result of a comparison be-
tween the living young of Chelonia virgata and the representation of
Chelonia midas given by Schoepff. Tab. XVII. Fig. 2.

Chelonia virgata. Chelonia midas.

1 . Shell cordiform ; the length 1 . Shell ovate ; the length ex-
exceeds the breadth by one-eighth, ceeds the breadth by more than

two-eighths.

2. 2d vertebral shield much n . A , n , , , .

. . , . 2. 1st and 2nd vertebral of

broader than 1st, and is altogether , ,.

. , „ , . equal dimensions,

the largest of the series.

3. 2d costal shield larger than

, , 3. 2d and 3d costal equal.

4. Sincipital plate broader than 4. Sincipital plate longer than
long. broad.

5. Breadth of fronto-nasal 5. Breadth of fronto-nasals one
shields one third of their length. half of their length.

6. Each fin with a single nail. 6. Each fin with 2 nails.

Sub. Gen. Chelonice imbricatce, (Chelonees imbriquees,) Bum. and Bib r.

Discal shields 13, imbricate; muzzle long, compressed; jaws with
the edge straight, not toothed, at the extremity slightly recurved : each
fin with 2 nails.

Malay a a Peninsula and Islands. 13

Chelonia imbricata, (Linne'.)

Syn. — L;i Tortue Caret, Dutertre.
Scaled Tortoise, Grew.

Caret, Labat, Fermin, Lace])., Bosc, Cuvier.
Testuilo marina americana, Seba.
Hawksbill Turtle, Brown, Catesby.

"Gmelin.
Pennant.
Donnd.

Testudo imbricata, Linne, apud^ TC/°^n '

Scbneider.
Shaw.
_Daudin.
Testudo caretta, Knorr.
La Tuilee, Daubenton.

Caretta imbricata, Merrem, apud Gray : Catal.
Chelonia multiscutala, Kuhl ?

f Prince Maxim.

Chelonia imbricata, Schweig-J ^, *', -, , Tt-,

i ' fo <^ Dumeril and Bibron.

° ' * | Prince Musignano.

[_Bell.

Chelonee faux caret, Lesson.

Chelonia caretta, Temminck, and Schlegel.

" Kura-kura" of the Malays of Pinang.

Head brown, scales edged ov rayed with yellow ; shell yellow, marbled
or rayed with rich brown ; sternum yellowish white. In the young the
areola of the sternal shields black.

Habit. — Malayan Seas.

Atlantic and Indian Ocean.
The largest individual observed was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 feet 4f inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 0 3±

Ditto ditto shell, 1 7

Ditto ditto tail, 0 2|

Sub. Gen. Caouance, (Caouanes,) Bum. and Bibr.

Discal shields 15, not imbricate j jaws at the extremity slightly
recurved.

Chelonia olivacea, Eschscholtz : Atlas.

Syn. — Chelonia caouana, Var. B. Gray.

Chelonia dussumierii, Dum. and Bibr.
Caouana olivacea, Gray : Catal.

11 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting th<

Young. — Above blackish olive, lighter than in the adult , shell and
tins edged with pale yellow ; sternum pale greenish yellow, washed with
chestnut, areolae blackish.

Adult. — Head brown ; shell blackish green ; some of the marginal
scales of the fins yellow ; sternum yellow, washed with chestnut ; 27
marginal shields ; fins with one nail.

Habit. — Malayan Seas.

Bay of Bengal, Chinese Seas.
This species is at Pinang of rare occurrence. A single young indivi-
dual observed was of the following dimensions :

■&

Length of the head, If inch.

Ditto ditto neck, 1

Ditto ditto shell, , 6

Ditto ditto tail, 0|

The shell is broad sub-cordiform, (its length exceeding its breadth 1>\
half an inch,) three-keeled, the vertebral keel strongest, dentated behind ;
the marginal shields 27, obliquely placed. The 1st and 4th pair of
costals, and the 4th vertebral shield each divided in two pieces.

In a not cmite full-grown specimen, in the Museum of the Asiatic
Society, the length of the shell is 2ft. If inch; its greatest breadth is
2ft. Of inch, the length exceeding the breadth by one inch. The
vertebral shields are still slightly keeled. The 1st and 4th pair of
costals, the 2nd left costal, and the 4th vertebral are divided. The
central part of the margin is slightly curved upwards. The edges of the
jaws are not toothed, but they are transparent with fine white vertical
lines, which give them a fringed appearance.

The flesh of this turtle, though relished by the Chinese settlers, is
unpalatable to Europeans.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 15

SAURIA. '

FAM. CROCODILIDJE, Bonaparte (ASPIDIOTES, Bum. andBibr.)

S I). Gen Crocodihts, apud Cuvier.

Muzzle oblong, depressed; teeth unequal, the 4t!i of the lower jaw
fitting into lateral notches, and not into hollows of the upper jaw.
Skull behind the eyes with two large holes, perceptible through the
integuments. Hind-feet with an external dentated crest, and the toes
pal mated.

Crocodilus vulgaris, Cuvier. — Yar. B., Dum. and Bibr.

Syn. — Crocodilus palustris, Lesson.

Crocodilus vulgaris, Var. E. Gray.

Crocodilus biporcatus raninus, Midler, Tab. 3, Fig. 7-

Crocodilus palustris, apud Gray : Catal.

" Buaya" of tbe Malays.

Muzzle a little widened, thick, transversally very slightly curved ;
head covered with angular rugosities ; lateral margins of the skull not
raised. Above greenish-olive, speckled with black ; beneath yellowish
or greenish- white.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Java, Sumatra, Tenasserim, Bengal, Coromandel, Malabar.

It inhabits not only rivers and estuaries, but also the sea-coasts, and
may in calm weather be seen floating at a distance of two to three miles
from the shore. Although numerous at Piuang and the opposite coast,
it appears to be less so than Crocodihts biporcatus. Fishermen while
working the nets are not seldom attacked by Crocodiles, and would, but
for their presence of mind, oftener than they do, forfeit their lives. When
seized, they force the fingers into the eyes of the Crocodile, which imme-
diately lets go its victim, who is farther rescued by his comrades. — From
1842 to 1845 amputations from accidents of this description, were unfor-
tunately of no rare occurrence in the General Hospital at Pinang.

Individuals, 15 feet in length are not uncommon ; some attaining to
20 feet and upwards are reported to occur. — In rivers a single one will
often appropriate to himself a limited district, which if it happens to be
in the vicinity of a village, will soon be perceived in the loss of the graz-
ing cattle. Instances of Malays, who, to avenge the loss of a relative, have
watched the crocodile, and by diving from below, plunged a Kris into its

16 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

heart, are on record. The eggs are white, the shell hard, of a cylindri-
cal form, upwards of 3 inches in length, and about 1^ inch in diameter.

Crocodilus porosus, Schneider.

Syn, — Crocodili Ceylonici ex ovo prodiens, Scba.

"Tideman, Oppel, Liboschitz.
Merren.

Bory de St. Vincent.

r< i • *. n • i Fitzineer.

Cr. biporcatus, Cuvier, apud ^ Lesson

Guerin.

Wagler.

Gray.

Crocodilus biporcatus raninus, Midler, Tab. 3, Fig. 8.
Crocodilus porosus, Schn., apud Gray : Catal.
" Buaya" of the Malays.

Upper jaw surmounted by two rugged ridges, each commencing from
the anterior angle of the eye ; nuchal plates either none, or two very
small. Above yellowish green with large black oval spots ; keels of
the dorsal scales green ; beneath greenish white.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang, Singapore.

India, Tenasserim, Sumatra, Java, Timor, Seychelle Islands.
This, in the Malayan countries exceedingly numerous species, is of
the same habits, and attains to the same size as the preceding.

FAM. GECKONIM, Bonaparte (ASCALABOTES, Bum. and Bibr.)
Gen. Platydactylxjs, Cuvier.
Toes more or less dilated throughout their length, beneath with
transverse imbricate plates, either entire or divided by a central longitu-
dinal groove.

Platydactylxjs lugubris, Dum. and Bibr.

Syn. — Amydosaurus lugubris, Gray.

Thumbs nailless ; trausverse plates beneath all the toes; back finely granu-
lar. Above whitish, with black spots.

Habit. — Pinang.
Otaheite.
A single male was captured in my house in the valley of Pinang.
The integuments correspond to the description given by M. M.
Dumeril and Bibron, to which may be added the following characters:

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 17

The skin is somewhat loose, forming a slight longitudinal fold on each
side of the body, and on the anterior margin of the thigh. The anus is
covered by a transversal fold, reaching across from the one thigh to
the other. There are no femoral pores. The tail is tapering, much
depressed, convex on the upper surface, flat beneath, sharp at the sides.
Near the root, about f of an inch distant from the anus, the skin forms
an annular fold, completely encircling that part of the tail. The colour
slightly differs from that of the Otaheite individuals. The upper partes
and the lower surface of the tail from the annular fold are of a buff or
pale dust colour, so closely and minutely dotted with reddish brown,
that the parts have a pale greyish brown appearance. On the loins and
between the shoulders are a few distant blackish spots, besides in the
latter place appear two short lateral lines, and an indistinct band pro-
ceeds from the nostril across the eye to the shoulder. The throat,
inner side of the limbs, abdomen and the lower surface of the root of
the tail to the annular fold are buff-coloured. The pupil is black,
vertical, dentilated, the iris silvery, dotted with reddish brown.

Length of the head Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk \\

Ditto ditto tail If

Entire length 3^ inch.

Platydactylus gecko, (Linne.)

Syn. — Salamandra indica, Bontius.

Gekko ceilonicus, Seba.

Lacerta canda tereti mediocri, Linne' mus, Adolph.

Lacerta gecko, Linne.

Gekko teres, \ y .

Gekko verticillatus, /

Salamandre, ou Gecko de Linneus, Knorr.

Stellio gecko, Schneider

Common Gecko, Shaw.

Gecko guttatus, Daudin, apud Gray.

Lacerta guttata, Hermann.

„ , ,^ , f Gray. Zool. Journ.

Gecko verus, Merrem, apud < p *' f atai

Gecko annulatus, Kuhl

Gecko a gouttelettes, Cuvier

Platvdactvlus guttatus, Cuv. apud Guerin, Dtim. and Bibr.

"To'ke"' of the Malays.*

* The Malays denominate the family of Geckotidm : Gekko, Kiko, Gdgo, Gokc,
evidently Onomatopoeias, in imitation of the cry of these lizards.

18 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Above ash-coloured with numerous pale orange spots ; beneath yel-
lowish white. Between the scales of the back 12 longitudinal rows
of large distant tubercles, and six similar on the tail ; the latter with
minute scales beneath.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.
Philippine Islands,

Java, Tenasserim, Bur mah, Bengal, Coromandel Coast.
• On the Malayan peninsula this species appears to be less numerous
than in the Tenasserim Provinces, where its shrill cry, "To-ke" is
nightly heard in houses. The male has two tubercular scales on each
side of the root of the tail. The largest individual observed was of
the following dimensions :

1 &"■■

Length of the head, If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 4-|

Ditto ditto tail, 4|

Entire length lOf inch.

Platydactyhjs stentor. N. S.

Syn.— "Toke" of the Malays.

Above light bluish grey with numerous irregular blackish spots,
forming on the vertex an angle like an inverted V., and on the neck
short oblique lateral bands. Beneath pearl-coloured. On the back and
sides 1 0 longitudinal rows of large distant lenticular scales, and G simi-
lar on the tail ; the latter with scutella beneath.

Habit. — Pinang.

In form and size this species closely resembles the preceding, from
which it however differs in the following particulars. The oval nostrils
are bordered in front by three scales, viz. the first upper-labial, a smaller
rectangular, and a larger pentagonal scale, both of which latter are
situated between the nostril and the rostral. Above the nostrils are
surrounded by two smaller irregular triangular, and behind by a narrow
crescent-shaped scale. Of labial scales there are 14 above, 12 below.
There are about 72 teeth in each jaw. The eye is very large ; pupil
black dentilated ; iris silvery bluish grey. The ear is very large, ob-

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 19

liquely oval without dentilations. The checks are much swollen. The
scales of the back are small, rounded, hexagonal, becoming more rec-
tangular on the sides. The rows of lenticular scales along the vertebrae
are smaller than the rest, but not so close as in P. guttatus. Behind
the mental scale is a pair of large elongated scales, and 5 pentagonal larger
appear on each side behind the lower labials. The gular scales are
small, polygonal ; the abdominal are rounded, hexagonal, not imbricate,
and below the root of the tail become somewhat larger. The rest
of the lower surface of the tail is covered with scutella. Above the
covering of the tail is like that of P. guttatus. On each side of the
posterior margin of the cloaca are two very large tubercular scales,
and towards the centre two rather large postanal pores, covered by a
loose fold of the skin. Fourteen femoral pores are placed on a slightly
angular line. This species is also closely allied to Platydactylus mo-
narchus, Schlegel, from which it however readily may be distinguished
by the regular rows of lenticular dorsal scales, by its far greater size,
and by its loud note. It is not numerous at Pinang. The only indi-
vidual obtained, from the villa on the Pentland Hills, was a male of the
following dimensions :

Length of the head, 2f inch.

*&"

Ditto ditto trunk, 5f

Ditto ditto tail, 8f

Entire length 1 ft. 4 inch.

Flatydactylus monarchus, Schlegel, MS.

Syn. — Platydactylus monarchus, Schl. apud Dum. and Bibr.
Gecko monarchus, Gray : Catal.

On the back, sides and limbs numerous conical tubercles irregularly
scattered among the smaller flat polygonal scales ; on the upper surface
of the tail 6 to 13 transversal series of small spines ; beneath scutella,
sometimes mixed with scuta. Chin with 2 larger oblong scales.

New-born. — Above brown, with the dorsal and caudal tubercles (no
spines) white ; the posterior part of the tail indistinctly white ringed ;
beneath uniformly paler brown.

Adult. — Above buff or ash-coloured or reddish brown, with 8 to 12
pairs of irregularly rounded, distant, dark brown spots along the spine ;

20 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

the head, limbs and sides with numerous more or less distinct, irregular
dark brown spots ; in some younger individuals the tail with whitish
rings. Beneath yellowish white.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang, Singapore.
Philippine Islands, Amboyna, Borneo.

The Malayan Geckonidce have the power of somewhat changing the
ground colour, none however in a greater degree than the present spe-
cies. In the valley and on the hills of Pinang it is very numerous,
swarming at night in rooms, on the walls, and under the ceiling, occa-
sionally giving out a sound, resembling the monosyllable " Tok," repeated
G or 8 times with increased celerity. The aim of these lizards is by no
means unerring ; they frequently miss an insect, and fall from the
ceiling. Among themselves they are pugnacious : when two or more
covet an insect, the successful one has to defend its prize, or give it up
to the stronger. The new-born (with umbilical aperture) and adult
are of the following dimensions :

New-born. Adult.

Length of the head, Of If inch.

„ trunk, Of 2f

j> j> tail, lg^ Og

Entire length, .... 2^ Gf inch.

Sub-Gen. Ptychozoon, Kuhl.
Toes webbed to the last compressed joint ; thumbs nailless ; sides of
the head, body, limbs and tail with broad scaly membranes, those of
the tail anteriorly scalloped. Male with femoral pores. On the sides
scattered tubercles.

Ptychozoon homalocephalum, (Creveld.)

Syn. — Lacevta homalocephala, Creveld.
Gecko homalocephalus, Tilesius.

T Fitzinger.
Ptychozoon homaloeepbalum, apud \ Wagler.

LWiegmann.
Pteropleura horsfieldii, Gray.

Platyilaetylus homalocephalus, Cuv. apud Diim, and Bibr.
Ptychozoon homalocephala, Kuhl. apnd Gray : Catal.

Heath The ground colour yellowish green olive. Between the eyes
and muzzle a double figure, in whitish outline, representing in front a

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 21

broad arrowhead, posteriorly united by a narrow stalk to a rectangular
transversal band, situated in front of the eyes. On the vertex another,
larger figure, traced in whitish outline, rectangular in front, spreading
like a four-rayed star over the occiput. A dark brown band proceeds
from behind the eye, across the ear, to the shoulders, where it is lost in
the general dark brown colour of the sides of the body. The superior
margins of these two lateral bands are white proceeding backwards in
zig-zag line, approaching each other over the shoulders, where they
join the anterior black transversal line. The lips white. The mem-
branes of the cheeks pale flesh -colour, with dark blue spots, and with
the interstices between the scales pale lilac. The pupil vertical, denti-
lated ; the iris rich golden brown.

Bac/c. Of the same ground colour as the head, becoming dark red-
dish brown on the sides, relieved by 4 to G distant transversal black
dotted lines, on the upper part of the form of the letter M, sending
oblique, forwards pointed, lines on the sides. The upper part of the
lateral membrane reddish brown ; the interstices of the small rectan-
gular scales purple.

Tail and limbs. Same ground-colour, as that of the head and back,
with broad, distant, indistinctly whitish, transversal bands. On each
elbow a whitish ring. Membranes of the tail, limbs and toes are
yellowish grey with numerous minute spots of brown, purple, blue and
red, which impart a purple, changing appearance to the general colour.
The number of the indentations of the caudal membranes varies indivi-
dually ; the posterior part is entire, with waving surfaces.

Lower pa.-ts. Brownish white, with a few pale brown spots on the
throat, innerside of the limbs, in the palms and soles. The tail and its
membranes brownish.
Habit. — Pinany Hills.

Singapore, Java, Ramree Island, (Arracan.)
As correctly observed by M. M. Dumeril andBibron, the scales of the
female, corresponding to those with the femoral pores of the male, have
a slight, yet distinct, central depression. The female has a large tu-
bercular scale on each side of the root of the tail, as well as the male.
In colour and size the two sexes resemble each other. Two in-
dividuals were at different times captured in the villa occupied by
Sir William Norris on the Great Hill of Pinang. When the lizard

22 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

is at rest, the membranes of the cheeks, and the body are kept
in close contact with these parts ; in leaping those of the body are
somewhat stretched out, and all the membranes together then act as a
parachute. Also this lizard has in some degree the power of changing
the ground colour from a darker to a lighter shade. The apex of the
tongue is rounded, with a small notch in the centre. A female while
in my possession refused insects and water. She deposited a single
egg, of a spherical form, about half an inch in diameter, soft, and of a
yellowish white colour, which the following day she devoured. A male
ate the integuments he had been changing. The female was of the
following dimensions :

Length of the head, 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, , 2f

Ditto ditto tail, 3f

Entire length, 7f inches.
In the Museum of the Asiatic Society is preserved a specimen of
Lejjtophis ornatus, (Merrem,) in the act of devouring one of the pre-
sent species. The serpent was captured in the island of Ramree on
the coast of Arracan.

Gen. Hemidactylus, Cuvier.
End of the toes widened into an oval disk, with a double series of
transverse, imbricate plates beneath. From the middle of the disk
rise the slender second and third nailed phalanx. A series of scuta
beneath the tail.

Hemidactylus peronii, Dum. and Bibr.

Syn. — Hemidactylus leiurus, Gray.
Peripia peronii, Gray : Catal.

Under the chin a large triangular figure, composed of six elongated,
towards the sides decreasing, scales ; thumbs nailless ; male with femoral
pores ; tail much depressed, very broad at the root, tapering towards
the point, (sometimes with a small membrane on each side of the
point,) with a series of scuta beneath ; pupil vertical, shaped like two
rhombs placed with the angles towards each other.*

* Such is its appearance in the living- animal, when the eye is exposed to the influence
of light. M. M. Dumeril and Bibron note the pupil being " elliptical," which pro-
bably originates in their describing from preserved specimens, although my own in spi-
rits of wine have retained the original form of the pupil.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 23

Above ash-coloured, labial scales whitish, each with a brown spot ;
beneath whitish. Iris silvery grey, spotted with brown.

Habit. — Pinang.

Isle of France.

Of two individuals, captured at different times in my house in the
valley of Pinang, the larger was of the following dimensions :
Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, I

Ditto ditto tail, 2f

Eutire length, 4f inches.

Hemidactylus coct^i, Dum. and Bibr.

Thumbs well developed, nailed ;* back with minute granular scales ;
in some individuals with a few larger ones on the sides ; tail broad at
the root, tapering, a little depressed, with from 4 to 15 indistinct rings
and 6 series of minute spines ; beneath with scuta ; chin with 4 larger
scales ; the central pair elongate pentagonal ; male with 1 2 femoral
pores ; pupil as in Hemidactylus peronii.
Above ash-coloured, whitish beneath.
Habit. — Pinang.

Bengal, Bombay.
Of two males observed in houses in the valley of Pinang, the larger
was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2f

Ditto ditto tail, 3f

Entire length, 7 inches.
Hemidactylus frenatus, Schlegel, MS.

Syn. — Hemidactylus frenatus, Schlegel, apud Dum. and Bibr.
Hemidactylus lateralis j Q R M

Hemidactylus qumquenneatus, J J

Back with some larger granular scales ; tail rounded, tapering above,
with 6 series of small spines, scuta beneath ; chin with 4 or 6 larger

* Mr. Gray gives the present species as a Syn. of Boltalia subl&vis, Gray, (Catalogue,
p. 158.) As the latter species is characterised as having' the thumbs " clawless," it
cannot be identical with H. coct&i.

24 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

scales ; ears very small ; pupil as in the preceding species ; thumbs very
small, femoral pores 26 to 28, disposed on a slightly angular line.

Young and Adult. — 'Buff or ash-coloured, with or without brown
spots ; some with one or two brown lateral bands, commencing one
above the other from the muzzle, interrupted or continued to the tail ;
the latter in some with indistinct brown rings. Beneath whitish or
buff.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang, Singapore.

Amboyna, Timor, Java, Marianne Islands, Ceylon, Bengal
Assam,* South Africa, Madagascar.

In the Malayan valleys and hills this small species is very numerous.
It is of fierce habits, like several other Geckonidce, destroying its own
species. Its normal colour appears to be greyish, which it however has
in its power to change. The largest individuals observed were of the
following dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2

Ditto ditto tail, 2

Entire length, 4f inches.

Hemidactylus platyurus, (Schneider.)

Svn. — Stellio platyurus, Schneider.
Lacerta sclmeideriaua, Shaw.
Gecko platyurus, Merrem.
Hemidactylus platyurus, Wiegiuanu.

AVagler.

Hemidactj'lus marginatus, Cuvier, apud < Wiegmann.

I Gray.
Platyurus schneideriauus, Gray : Catal.

Sides of the body and posterior margin of the thighs with a loose
membrane ; tail tapering, depressed, with sharp, fringed margins, with
scuta beneath ; toes webbed half their length ; chin with 4 pentagonal
broad scales, placed in pairs, behind each other : ,'- 6 femoral pores placed
on a continued line.

Young and Adult. — Above ash-coloured, in some with a greyish brown
lateral band, from the muzzle continued to the tail ; the latter with
indistinct brownish transversal bands ; others irregularly spotted and

* Specimens in the Museum of the Asiatic Society.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 25

marbled with blackish In-own ; pupil and iris as in the preceding
species. Whitish beneath.

ll\RiT.^Pinang.

Philippine Islands, Borneo, Java, Bengal, Assam.*
The individuals were observed in houses in the valley of Pinang.
In a male the posterior half of the tail happens to be divided so as to
appear double ; one of the pieces, the continuation of the normal tail,
is depressed, slightly fringed, and beneath with the row of scuta conti-
nued, the other is cylindrical, somewhat shorter, and above and below
covered with minute scales. The largest individual was of the following
dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2

Ditto ditto tail, 2\

Entire length, 4f inches.

Gen. Gymnodactylus, Spix.
Toes not widened into a disk, nor with dentilated margins ; all five
with non-retractile nails ; fifth hind-toe versatile or capable of turning
from the others under a right angle.

Gymnodactylus pulchellus, (Gray.)

Syn. — Cyrtodactylus pulchellus, Gray.

Gonyodactylus pulchellus, Wagler.
Gymnodactylus pulchellus, Dumeril and Bibron.

Head, back and limbs with numerous three-sided tubercles among
the smaller flat scales ; sides of the body with a longitudinal fold of
the skin ; the anterior upper part of the cylindrical tail with distant
rings of rounded, pointed tubercles ; beneath a row of scuta. Chin
with six scales, the centre pair elongated pentagonal. Males with 36
femoral pores on two not connected lines, between which, in front of
the anus, a short narrow, longitudinal furrow. Both sexes with 3 or
4 tubercles obliquely situated on each side of the root of the tail.

Young and Adult. — Above a rich brownish ochre ; the nape of the
neck and back with 6 broad transversal bands (the two anterior horse-
shoe shaped), of a rich velvety mulberry, or snuff-colour with sulphur

*

Specimens in the Museum of the Asiatic Society.

20 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting tin-

or chrome-yellow margins. The tail with 8 or V complete rings of
similar colour, without the margins. Beneath : throat and belly whitish
yellow, or pale brownish, each scale minutely dotted with brown.
Pupil vertical, dentilated ; iris golden, finely vermiculated with Van
Dyke brown.

Habit. — Pinang Hills.
Singapore.

In the male the two rows of femoral pores commence as two short
parallel longitudinal lines, separated from each other by a narrow short
furrow, on the sides of which, (vertically,) the first 5 femoral (preanal),
pores are placed. In front of the anus the short vertical portions
turn right and left under a nearly right angle, continuing the entire
length of the thigh, each supporting 13 more femoral pores. The interval
between the anus and the latter is partly occupied by a flat, slightly
raised triangular space, covered by rather large, imbricate, rounded
scales. In the female the two lines of larger scales carrying the femoral
pores of the males, are present, each scale having a small shallow,
round depression. The short, longitudinal furrow of the male is either
wanting or barely distinguishable, but the triangular space with larger
scales, in front of the anus, is present. The species appears to be
rather numerous on the hills at Pinang, where the individuals obtained
were captured in houses, at an elevation of 2,200 feet. The largest
male was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 1| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3

Ditto ditto tail, 5f

Entire length, 10 inches.

Its habits offer nothing peculiar : it bites fiercely in defence. In
captivity it refuses insects. The integuments, when about being renew-
ed, are piecemeal torn off by the teeth, and devoured. A single egg
deposited was of a spherical form, about half an inch in diameter, of a
whitish yellow colour. M. M. Dumeril and Bibron assign Bengal as
the Habitat of this species. The specimen originally described by Mr.
Gray, some in the Museum of the Asiatic Society, and a number in my
own collection, all are from the hills of Prince of Wales Island (Pulo

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 27

Pinang,) but no authenticated record exists of this species ever having
been observed in Bengal. Another, widely different species of Gymno-
dactylm inhabits Bengal, as yet not published, and only known from
three specimens, preserved in spirits in the Museum of the Asiatic
Society, where they are marked Gynmodactylus lunatus, Blyth. One
of these came from Midnapore, the others from Chyebassa. The spe-
cies somewhat approaches to G. fasciatus, Dum. and Bibr. (Gubina
fasciata, Gray.) The Museum possesses another nondescript species
from Almorah, Gynmodactylus nebulosus, Blyth, MSS. allied to G.
marmoratus, (Gray).

The plate of Cyrtodactylus pulchellus in Gray's Illustrations ol
Indian Zoology is not taken from life, and gives a most inadequate idea
of the physiognomy and beauty of the living animal. This should be
observed, as M. M. Dumeril and Bibron praise the figure, which evi-
dently has served as original of their own description, and of copies
introduced in illustrative works upon that order of animals.

FAM. VARANIM, Bonaparte, (PLATYNOTES, Dum. and Bibr.)

Gen. Varantjs, — Merrem.

Scales set side by side, surrounded by an annular scries of very
minute tubercles ; tail above more or less trenchant ; on the throat a
fold in front of the chest.

Varani aquatici, — Dum. and Bibr.
Varantjs nebulosus, — Dumeril and Bibron.

Syn. — Tupinambis nebulosus, Cuvier MSS.
Monitor nebulosus, Gray.
Monitor nebulatus, Schlegel.
Uaranus nebulosus, apud Gray : Catal.

Muzzle very elongated ; nostrils obliquely cleft, situated half-ways
between the muzzle and the anterior angle of the eye; lips each with
jO scales ; teeth compressed with sharp but not dentilated edges.

Young. — Above. Ground-colour deep chocolate brown ; the head largely
marbled with greenish yellow ; neck with indistinct obliquely converging
gamboge lines ; back, sides and limbs with gamboge spots, consisting
of one to five scales, (those of the upper margins of the fingers forming
continued lines ;) sides of the anterior half of the tail, similarly colour-
ed ; the double row of scales covering the back of (he tail gamboge;

28 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

the posterior half Jeep chocolate with two distant, (the second subter-
minal,) indistinct gamboge coloured rings.

Beneath. Ground-colour pale chocolate. Chin, throat, chest and
forelimbs transversely undulated with greenish yellow ; abdomen with
short, interrupted, transversal yellow bands, consisting of from 4 to 1 2
scales ; hind-limbs with larger similar spots ; anterior half of the tail
indistinctly marbled with yellowish green ; posterior half like the upper
surface. Pupil round ; iris narrow golden.

Adult. — Above brownish olive with yellow dots ; anterior half of
the tail yellow with minute square brown spots ; posterior half brown
and yellow-ringed ; margins of the toes yellow. Beneath marbled and
barred with brown and yellow.

Habit. — Pinang.

Java, Siam, Bengal.
The only individual observed was a young male, captured in the hills
at Pinang, of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 5|

Ditto ditto tail, 9£

Entire length, 1G inches.

Varanus flavescens, (Gray).

Syn. — Monitor flavescens, Gray.

Monitor hardwickii. Gray, MSS.

Varanus russellii, Schlegel, MSS.

Monitor exanthamaticus, Var indica, Schlegel.

Varanus picquotii, Dum and Bibr.

Empagusia flavescens, Gray : Catal.

Muzzle obtuse ; nostrils oval, oblique, nearer the muzzle than the
orbit ; a series of supraorbital scales larger than the rest ; scales of
the back distant, bluntly keeled, of the tail and outside of the hind-
limbs closer, sharply keeled ; toes very short, nails yellow.

Above. Ground-colour light green-olive with numerous distant,
interrupted, transversal, yellow bands ; temples, cheeks and lips yellow.
Beneath yellow ; the throat with transversal pale brownish bands.
Habit. — Pinang.

Bengal, Nipal.

A single male observed was of the following dimensions :

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 29

Length of the head, 0 feet 3 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 Of

Ditto ditto tail, 1 6|

Entire length, 2 feet 9f inch.

Varan us salvator. (Laurcnti).

Syn. — Lacertus indicus, Lochner ?

Lacerta mexicana, Seba.

Lacertus americanus, amphibius Tupinambis dictus : Seba.

Stellio salvator, Laurenti.

Monitor Lizard, Shaw.

Lacerta monitor? Hermann.

Tupinambis bivittatus, Kuhl, apud Boie.

Monitor elegans, Gray.

Monitor a deux rubans, Cuvier.

Hydrosaurus bivittatus, Wagler.

Monitor vittatus, Lesson.

Varanus bivittattus, Dumeril and Bibron.

Hydrosaurus salvator, Gray : Catal.

" Beyawak" of the Malays of the Peninsula.

Head very elongated ; nostrils oval, nearly transversal, close to the
muzzle ; a series of supraorbital scales, larger than the rest ; teeth with
dentilated edges ; toes very long. Above. Ground colour dark brown
or black ; a band on the side of the neck from the shoulder to the eye,
5 to 7 distant, transversal series of separate rings, between which
numerous spots or interrupted transversal lines, all yellow or yellowish
white ; the outside of the limbs and the tail spotted, the latter indis-
tinctly banded with yellow. Beneath yellow, the throat with indistinct
transversal black bands and minute spots ; the sides of the body and
limbs in some individuals with large blackish dentilationsi

Habit. — Malayan, Peninsula, Pinang.

Philippine and Molucca Islands, Amboina, Java, Bengal.
This species is very numerous both in hilly and marshy localities.
It is commonly during the day observed in the branches of trees over-
hanging rivers, preying upon birds and their eggs, and smaller lizards,
and when disturbed, it throws itself from a considerable height into the
water. When attacked on level ground, it attempts its escape by run-
ning, if possible towards the water. Its quickness however is not so
great as to prevent a man from overtaking it, when it will courageously
defend itself with teeth and claws and by strokes of the tail. The

30 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

lowest casts of Hindoos capture these lizards commonly by digging them
out of their burrows on the banks of rivers, for the sake of their flesh,
which by these people is greatly relished. — Some individuals attain to
nearly 7 feet in length, but the majority are smaller. A female examin-
ed was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 feet 4f inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 3f

Ditto ditto tail, 2 8f

Entire length, 4 feet 4f inch.

FAM. IGUANIDiE, Gray, (EUNOTES, Dumerit and Bibron )

Sub-Fam. Acrodontin.e (Acrodontes, Dum. and Bibr.)

Gen. Calotes, Cuvier.

Head quadrangular pyramidal, more or less elongated, with small
angular scales of nearly equal diameter. Occipital scale minute.
Tongue thick, fungous, rounded, with the apex slightly notched. In
the upper-jaw 5 incisors and 2 canines. Nostrils lateral, pierced through
a plate situated close to the muzzle. No transversal fold on the throat,
sometimes with a large longitudinal fold on both sides. A gular pouch
varying in size. A crest from the nape of the neck to the tail. Scales
of the sides of the trunk homogeneous, imbricated in oblique series.
No femoral pores.

Sub. -Gen. Bronchocela, Kemp.

Scales of the trunk in oblique series, inclined backwards, their points
directed downwards. Posterior part of the sides of the head not swollen,

Bronchocela cristatella, (Kuhl.)

Syn. — Lacerta mexicana strumosa, &c. Seba, 89, 1.
Agama cristatella, Kuhl.
Agama gutturosa, Menem.

Bronchocela cristatella, Kaup, apiul Dam. and Bibr.
Agama moluccana, Lesson, apud Sehinz.
Calotes gutturosa, Guerin.
Calotes cristatellus, Sehinz.
Calotes gutturosus, Wiegmann.
" Gruning" of the Malays of the Peninsula.

Cervical crest (6 to 10 scales,) abruptly decreasing on the anterior
part of the back ; scales of the side of the trunk keeled, scarcely half
the size of those of abdomen ; behind the posterior angle of the orbit

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 31

3 to .") flattened scales, pointing outwards, forming a minute longitu-
dinal crest.

Normal colours. Beautiful grass green, lighter beneath, entirely, or
partially changeable to light grey, greyish olive, greenish brown, or
blackish, sometimes with orange spots, or with indistinct black net-
work ; large isolated round spots on the head or back, or the lips,
eyelids, or margins round tympanum, momentarily black ; sometimes
with transversal distant brown bands, particularly on the tail.* Scales
of the outside of the limbs and feet edged with brown. Pupil circular ;
iris brown with a narrow golden ring.

TIabit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang, Singapore.
Amboyna, Island of Buru, Java, Sumatra.
This species is very numerous in the Malayan countries both in the
vallies and on the hills. It moves and leaps with great quickness among
the branches of trees. The most striking feature is the great power of
suddenly changing its colours. The Malayan denomination of this
species is " Griming" which in Marsden's Dictionary is translated " a
species of lizard, which changes its colour as it is affected by fear or
anger ; the cameleon." No camcleon however appears to inhabit the
Malayan countries, but the present lizard passes under that name among
the European inhabitants. One of the largest males was of the follow-
ing dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 feet If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 0 3|

Ditto ditto tail, 1 2

Entire length, 1ft. 7|- inch.

Those of the intestinal canal :

Small intestines, 3f inch.

Large, „ If

Ccecum, „ Of

The stomach is cylindrical, simply a continuation of oesophagus
without fundus, but separated from the small intestines by a valve. In

* During life there is no trace of blue, or even bluish green about this lizard, but after
death it sometimes acquires this colour from the etl'ects ol spirits of wine, to which cir-
cumstance must be attributed the denomination of " Blue Calotes," Grav, in Griffith's
edition of Cuvier. Vol. 9, p, 55.

32 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

several dissected it contained nothing but mucus. The length of oeso-
phagus and the stomach together was If inch. The anterior part of the
small intestines is widened till about a quarter of an inch from the
pyloric valve, where ductus coledochus enters. Coecum is very widened,
more so than any other part of the canal, of a crescent shape.

Gen. Lophyrtjs, Dumeril.
Head triangular, more or less elongated, shelving in front ; orbital
edge arched or angular ; nostrils lateral, circular, or oval ; tongue papil-
lary, rounded and very slightly notched at the point ; in the upper jaw
5 incisors and 2 canines ; tympanum superficial ; skin of the throat
lax, forming in some a scarcely perceptible, in others a highly developed
pouch, and an angular cross fold in front of the chest ; neck, trunk and
tail compressed, with a crest, generally most elevated on the nape of
the neck ; scales of the trunk rhombic, subimbricate, unequal, (with
scattered larger scales) ; femoral pores none.

Lophyrus armatus, (Gray.)

Syn. — Agama armata, Gray.

Calotes tropidogaster, Cuvier.*
Acantliosaura armata, Graj\

Orbital edge slightly angular, with a long spine at its posterior
extremity ; no spinous tubercles on the occiput ; on each side of the
nape of the neck, immediately above the ear, another long spine, sur-
rounded with 5 to 6 shorter ones, at its base, from whence proceed
obliquely over the temple and cheek a curved series of 18 larger poly-
gonal, keeled scales ; tympanum thick, circular ; on the neck a crest of
S to 12 long spines, surrounded with numerous smaller ones at the
base ; at a short interval the dorsal crest, the anterior 5 to 6 spines of
which are very long, the rest rapidly decreasing towards the tail ; gular
pouch very small, not toothed, with scales of equal size ; tail subtrian-
gular, with a toothed crest above.

Above. Head chestnut ; trunk and limbs blackish green, with a
black transversal band in the interval between the cervical and dorsal
crests, continued over the shoulders, with numerous pale yellowish
white, black-edged, rounded spots, assuming the shape of transversal
bands on the limbs and the tail ; the larger single scales on the sides,
limbs and tail clear sky-blue ; from the orbit over the lip 5 to 6 radiat-
* I!y mistake : Calotes lepidogaster, R6grie nnim. 1829. T. ii. p. 39.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 33

ing, black lines. Beneath yellowish white. Pupil circular, iris brown,
with a narrow golden ring.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore,

Cochin China.
At Pinang this species appears to be very local, and not numerous :
two individuals examined were obtained from spice plantations in the
valley. They were very active and fierce, possessed in a slight degree
the power of changing the ground-colour to a lighter hue, and in capti-
vitv refused food and water. In a female were found 13 eggs of a

*/ Co

yellowish white colour, of an oval shape, -| inches in length. The
stomach contained fragments of leaves and twigs, and a quantity of
earth and lime. The latter probably originated from the lime water,
with which the spice-trees are copiously sprinkled, to secure them
against the attack of insects. The dimensions of the lizard were :

Length of the head, li inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3|

Ditto ditto tail, 6

Entire length,. . lOf
Of the intestinal canal :

Small intestines, 7f inch.

Large, < If

Ccecum, Of

The stomach capacious, with thick parietes. The first portion of
Duodenum -is much widened till within half an inch from Pylorus,
where Ductus coledochus enters. Ccecum is of a crescent-shape, much
widened, as well as the large intestine.

Gen. Dilophyrus, Gray.

Head four-sided. Forehead rather concave, face-ridge high. Eye-
brows rounded. Occiput with 3 or 4 larger tubercles on each side.

Parotids unarmed. Nape and back with a crest of high compressed
scales, with series of smaller scales at their base. The throat rather
lax,* with a cross fold behind,! extending up the front of the
shoulders. Scales of the back small, rhombic, ecpial ; of the belly rather

* Add ; with a compressed pouch, minutely toothed in front.
f Questionable.

;•; 1 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

larger, smooth. Tail compressed, keeled and toothed ahove, with 2
series of elongated keeled scales beneath. Femoral and preanal scales

none.

Dilophyrus (iRANDis, Gray. (PI- XX.)
Habit. — Pinang Hills,
Rangoon.

As the only published characters of this species leave its identity
with the Malayan somewhat doubtful, they are here preposed.

"Olive green; sides white spotted, beneath ivhitish ; tail black-
lauded; head with lines of rather larger scales; crest very high,
formed of broad compressed close-set scales, with 3 or 4 series of scales
an each side of the base, interrupted over the shoulders." (Gray :
Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards, fyc. p. 239.)

Form. The head is elongated, four-sided pyramidal, its greatest
height and breadth being equal, and less than one half of the length.
The muzzle is narrow, rounded, depressed. The upper surface of the
head is very sloping, with a narrow furrow between the arched orbital
parictes ; the forehead depressed or concave. The scales are polygo-
nal, keeled ; those of the margin of the orbits and forehead larger,
imbricate, forming a sharp ridge ; four similar scales form a short ridge
in the centre of the forehead, close to the muzzle. Behind the orbit,
over tympanum, and on each side of the nape of the neck are similar
short, oblique ridges, each composed of 5 larger pointed tubercular
scales. The rostral shield is very broad, narrow, triangular ; the men-
tal, is much smaller, pointed, triangular, with two large polygonal scales
on each side. The upper jaw is covered with 26, the lower with 24
elongated, narrow, rectangular scales.

Dentition .

T • 6 n . 1 — 1 ,r , 14.14 36

lncis. — ; Canin. . Molar, =

4 1—1 ' 14.14 34

The incisors and anterior molars are very small ; the latter gradually
increasing in size, flat, sharply edged, bluntly tricuspidate. The tongue
is thick, flattened, very slightly notched in front, the anterior half
spongy, the posterior with large backwards pointed papillae. The nos-
trils are nearly circular, pierced in a large oval scale, in front of which
3 scales intervene between the rostral. The eyes are large, sunk in
the orbits ; the pupil circular, black ; the iris blue with golden

r/.xx.

MC : Li
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
CAMBRIDGE. MA USA

Malayan Peninsula end Islands. 35

spots and a narrow ring. The eyelids are covered with very mi-
nute polygonal, tubercular scales, Each tarsus with a double row
of scales, the inner one of small, polygonal, tubercular ; the outer
one of rhombic, flat, with the angles overlapping, so as to give the
free margin a toothed appearance. The tympanum is large cir-
cular. The skin of the throat is very lax, forming a compressed
pouch, the anterior margin of which is slightly toothed, owing to the
series of scales overlapping each other. But there is during life no
trace of any "crossfold behind, extending up the front of the shoul-
ders." The scales of the neck and back are very minute, rhombic, or
sub-rectangular, smooth, increasing in size and becoming imbricate on
the sides, abdomen, limbs and throat. On the neck is a high arched,
toothed crest, composed of 26 large ensiform scales, the 13 anterior
gradually increasing in length, the rest decreasing. The base of the
crest is supported by two parallel, slightly arched, series of rectangular
scales, much larger than those of the rest of the body, but those
of the upper series double the size of those of the inferior. The
dorsal crest commences at a short interval a little behind the shoul-
ders. In shape and component parts it resembles the former, but i.<
double the extent, consisting of 45 scales, all of which however are
inferior in height to those of the cervical crest, which, as well as the
somewhat lower, sloping level, renders the dorsal crest less conspi-
cuous than the former. The skin is somewhat lax on the sides of the
bodv, leaving the ribs visible. The tail is very much compresM'il,
attenuated, elongated. Its sides are covered with rather large, smooth
imbricate, rhombic scales. The anterior third of the upper margin is
toothed, composed of a single row of large, gradually decreasing,
sharply keeled scales. The other two thirds are covered by two rows
of keeled scales, thus giving the posterior part of the tail a bidentated
appearance. The lower surface of the tail is covered by two series
of large, gradually decreasing, imbricate, keeled scales, giving it a
bidentated appearance. The limbs are slender ; the anterior little more
than half the length of the posterior, and the toes very short. The
posterior 4th toe is excessively long. The palms and soles are covered
with minute, pointed, rough scales ; the toes above and beneath with
sharply keeled, imbricate, rhombic scales. The claws are large, tren-
chant, curved.

36 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabit tin/ the

Cot ours. The ground-colour of the head, neck, throat, gular pouch,
and the chest is impure gamboge, the scales edged with brown. The
eyelids dark brown, the tarsi buff. A. dark blue triangular streak
proceeds from the anterior angle of the orbit to the nostril ; another is
placed parallel with the upper labial scales, which as well as the lower
are of a pale blue, as also the tympanum. From the labial scales and
tympanum on each side across the throat, the pouch, and the sides of
the neck, proceed 7 oblique, undulating, dark blue bands. The tympa-
num is enclosed by two oblique broad, purple-brown bands, which join
each other under an angle at the anterior extremity of the cervical crest,
where a third broad, longitudinal purple-brown band commences, pro-
ceeding oyer the side of the neck, then expanding, covers the back and
the upper half of the sides of the body, where its lower margin describes
two large curves. The lower part of the sides are of a deep lilac, changing
on the abdomen to bluish white. On the sides of the body and on the
abdomen appear several oblique series of lozenge-shaped spots : a few
on the brown portion of the sides of a deep Indian red, the rest bright
gamboge. The cervical and dorsal crests are mulberry-brown ; the
former with the upper half of each of the first 13 scales light green ;
the latter with the upper half of the first 10 scales pale yellow. The
scales at the base of the crests partake of the general colour, but many
of them have a pale yellow spot. The tail is above and beneath with
alternate broad rings of impure white, the scales edged with brown, and
purple-brown, changing to black on the posterior half. The legs, feet and
toes are dark purple-brown with indistinct transversal yellowish bands.

Dimensions.

Length of the head, 0 foot 2 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 0 4f

Ditto ditto tail, 1 4

Entire length, 1 foot 1 Of inch.
Length of the cervical crest,. . 1-|- inch ; height of 13th scale, Of inch.
Ditto ditto dorsal crest, 3 inch ; ditto ditto 15th scale, Of

Length of humerus, ........ 1 inch ; of femur, 1| inch.

Ditto ditto fore arm, 1^ of tibia, , . . . 2

Ditto ditto hand and 4th toe, 1 of foot and 4th toe,. 2|-

Entire length, 3^ inch. 6 inch.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 37

The only individual examined, was captured on a botanical excur-
sion by Sir William Norris on the Pinang Hills, on the bank of
a mountain stream, at an elevation of about 2,000 feet. It appeared
slow in its movements, of general sluggish habits, showed no power of
changing colours, and in confinement it refused insects, vegetable food,
as well as water. After having been preserved in rectified spirits of
wine for upwards of three years, the specimen has retained the original
brown and white colours and the Indian red spot ; but the yellow, light-
green and light-blue have changed to whitish, and the dark blue marks
to blackish. Although the colours in this state do uot agree with those
given by Mr. Gray, apparently though not stated, taken from a pre-
served specimen, the peculiar distribution of the markings correspond,
and induce me'to believe in the identity of the animals.

Gen. Draco, Linne, apud DumSril and Bibron.
Head triangular, obtuse in front, slightly depressed, covered with
small scales of unequal diameter. Three or four incisors and 2 canines
in the upper jaw. Tongue spongy, thick, rounded, entire.* Tympa-
num hidden 6^*in some, visible in others. In the centre of the throat
an elongated vertical pouch ; on each side a smaller horizontal. In
general a small cervical crest. f Trunk depressed, with a lateral mem-
brane, supported by the spurious ribs. No femoral pores. Tail very
long, thin, angular, slightly depressed at the root.

A. — Tympanum visible, metallic iridescent.

Draco volans, Linne.

Syn. — Draco volans, apud Gmcl., Latr., Gray.
Draco praepos, Linne, apud Gmelin.
Draco major, Laurenti.
Draco minor, Laurenti.
Le Dragon, Daubenton, Lacepede, Bonnat.
Flying Draco, Shaw.

Draco viridis, Daudin, apud Merr., Knhl, Wolf, Wagler,
Draco fuscus, Daudin, apud Merr., Knhl.
Draco bourouniensis, Lesson ?
Draco daudinii, Dumeril and Bibron.
" Chicliak terbang" or " Rubin" of the Malays.

■n

* In the following species the tongue is minutely, yet distinctly notched,

Kr* i. e. Dracunculus, Wiegmann,

$ The female of Draco fimbriates, Kuhl, (i. e. Draco abbreviates, Gray,) I), volans and
D. maculates differs from the male in having no cervical crest, ami in having a smaller,
less elongate*! gtdar pouch.

38 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Scales of the back rhomboidal, imbricate, indistinctly keeled ; of the
throat granular, of cqnal size ; the adult male with a small cervical crest ;
tongue minutely notched in front ; gular pouch of the male very long,
narrow, nearly double the length of the head ; of the female shorter,
broad triangular.

Adult male and female. Head metallic brown or green, with a black
spot between the eyes. Back and inner half of the wing-membrane
varied with metallic, iridescent dark brown and rose-colour, in some
disposed in alternate transversal bands, with numerous black spots and
short irregular waved or zigzag lines. Limbs and tail in some with rose
coloured transversal bands. Sides of the neck and lips also rose coloured
with black spots. Cheeks and eyelids silvery-white or sky-blue, the latter
with short radiating black lines. Throat and gular pouch bright yellow,
the former dotted with black ; lateral pouches yellow or silvery rose,
dotted with black. Outer half of the wing membrane black with in-
distinct transversal bands, composed of large, sometimes confluent,
spots of silvery rose or whitish colour ; the margins appearing as
minutely fringed with silver. Beneath either whitish yellow or pale
sky blue with metallic lustre ; the membrane largely, the abdomen in
some minutely spotted with black or brown. Iris hazel, with a golden
narrow ring. Young of the same more vivid colours, with a series of
double black spots along the spine of the back, and some scattered on
the sides.
Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang.

Philippine Islands, Borneo, Java.

The transcendent beauty of the individually varying colours, baffles
description. Such as are current of this and other species, appear to
have been taken from preserved specimens. As the lizard lies in shade
along the trunk of a tree, its colours at a distance appear like a mix-
ture of brown and grey, and render it scarcely distinguishable from the
bark. Thus it remains with no signs of life except the restless eyes,
watching passing insects, which, suddenly expanding the wings, it seizes
with a sometimes considerable, unerring leap. It is but on close in-
spection, exposed to the light or in the sun that the matchless brilli-
ancy of its colours appears. But the lizard itself appears to possess no
power of changing them. This species is numerous on trees, in valleys
and hills. The female, apparently less numerous than the male, car-

Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

rics 3 to 4 eggs of an oval cylindrical shape, § of an inch in length,
and of a yellowish white colour.— Of a number examined none ex
cceded the following dimensions :

Lenth of the head, 0£ inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2f

Ditto ditto tail, 4|

7^ inches.

B.— Tympanum hidden by scales. (Dracunculus, Wiegmann.)
Draco maculatus, (Gray.)
Syn. — Dracunculus maculatus, Gray *
Habit. — Pinang.

Tenasserim.

Form. This species closely resembles Draco lineatus, Daudin, (Dra-
cunculus lineatus, Wiegmann,) from which it differs in the following-
particulars. The adult male carries a very elongated, pointed gular
pouch, double the length of the head, and a slightly elevated cervical
crest, consisting of G to 8 pointed tubercular scales, and continued
along; the anterior half of the back in the shape of a ridge composed
of a raised fold of the skin. The female has neither cervical crest nor
dorsal ridge, and her gular pouch is much reduced, its length being
about one half of the length of the head. Both sexes have the follow-
in0, characters in common. From each side of the neck commences a
series of spinous scales, sometimes close together on one side, distant
on the other, which, increasing in size and becoming more distant,
continue along the side of the body, where they deviate outwards,
marking the origin of the wings, and again converge towards the
root of the tail, where they terminate. The scales of the back are
generally smooth, consisting of smaller polygonal, mixed with some
larger rhombic, indistinctly keeled, imbricate scales. In some indivi-
duals the latter arc disposed so as to form a series on each side of the
dorsal spine. The supraorbital margin has from 3 to 4 large pointed
tubercles, of which but the one situated at the posterior angle appears

* "Grey, black-spotted; wings blackspotted ; throat grey; pouch of the male
elongate ; scales of the back rather unequal, rhombic, keeled ; of the sides rather
smaller; sides with a series of large keeled scales; cars rather sunk, with unequal flal
scales ; tail slender, with a central keel above, and 5 more small ones on the sides, base
dilated, with 5 nearly equi-distant equal keels above." (Catalogue of the Specimens oj
Lizards, &c. p. 236.)

40 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

to be constant. The scales of the neck and throat are small granular,
from which those covering the tympanum differ by being larger, flattened
and polygonal. The tubercles of the throat and neck, and many of the
scales of the back, wing-membranes, and the limbs, have each a minute
rounded cavity at the point, discernible by a lens. The pouches, chest
and abdomen are covered with rhombic, imbricate, keeled scales with-
out apical cavities. Each jaw has 16 labial scales. The tail is long,
very broad at the base, particularly in the male, suddenly tapering,
rounded above, and covered with strongly keeled, imbricate, rhombic
scales. The first large ones of the lowest series of the root form a
more or less conspicuous toothed crest. The lower surface is flattened,
with scales like the upper. The apex of the tongue is notched.

Dentition.

Incis. i-, Canin. \z±3 Molar, l±U .
2 1—1 15.15

Colours. This species bears so close a resemblance to Draco volans,
that it is scarcely possible to point out any difference. The upper
parts of the body are metallic greenish brown, varied with golden rose-
colour or Isabella, indistinctly dotted and lined with black. The wings
are golden isabella with transversal black bands, formed by series of
black rounded spots, either separate or confluent on the inner half, but
blending into one another on the outer-half. In some individuals
numerous undulating golden rose-coloured or buff lines longitudinally
intersect the bands. The margins are finely fringed with silver. The
limbs and tail are indistinctly ringed with black or brown. A black
spot on the vertex, between the eyes, appears to be constant also in
this species. The gular pouch and the throat are bright yellow, the
latter in some dotted with pale brown. The chest and abdomen whitish
yellow in some, bluish white in others. The under surface of the wines
is of the latter colour, in some with single large rounded black spots
near the margins, independent of the upper markings, which may be
distinguished through the hemitransparent membrane.

Of this species but four, of which 2 males were received from Sir Wm.
Norris. They were all from the Hills of Pinang ;* none exceeded the
following dimension :

* The Museum of the Asiatic Society possesses two females, obtained by the lute Dr.
Spry in the Tenasserim Provinces.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 41

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk. 3

Ditto ditto tail, 5|

8-| inches,

The intestinal canal of a female measured :

Small Intestines, 3 inches.

Large „ Of

Ccecum ,, Of

The capacious stomach contained remains of insects, particularly of
the gigantic black ant, inhabiting the Malayan hill forests. The first
portion of Duodenum is much widened till within a quarter of an inch
from Pylorus, where Ductus coledochus enters. Ccecum is of a short
crescent shape, much widened as well as the large intestine. In the
abdominal cavity appeared 5 eggs, of an oval form, yellowish white
colour, each half an inch in length.

Gen. Leiolepis, Cuvier, apud DumSril and Bibron.

Head sub-pyramidal cpiadrangular with minute, polygonal, tubercular
scales. Tympanic membrane a little sunk. Tongue scaly on the
anterior, papillary on the posterior half, apex bifid. Chest with a
transversal fold in front. Two canines in each jaw. Trunk sub-cylin-
drical with granular scales above ; beneath with larger, smooth, imbri-
cate, rectangular scales. Femoral pores. Tail conical, very long;
the root broad and depressed, the rest excessively slender.

To these characters it will be necessary to add : Skin of the sides of
the trunk excessively lax, capable of being expanded into a large icing-
like membrane by means of the six anterior, very long, spurious ribs.

Leiolepis bellii, (Gray.)

Syn. — Uromastix»bellii, Gray.

Uromastix belliana, ill. Ind. Zool.*

Leiolepis guttatus, Cuvier, apud-fj^^, an(1 Bibron,

Cynosaurus punctatus, Schlegel.
Leiolepis bellii, Gray : Catal.

* In the supposition that this incorrectly drawn and coloured figure has been taken
from the living animal, M. M. Dumeril and Bibron have been led to publish an erroneous
description and figure. The last description of this species of Mr. Gray appears to be
founded on the same authority. It runs thus : " Olive with black edged white spots and
a black edged white streak on each side, beneath whitish." Catal, &c. p. 263.

42 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Ground-colour, above blackish-grey ; the back and sides with 7 parallel
lines of pale sulphur colour, edged with black, the 2nd from below, the
4th and 6th composed of more or less confluent spots, the other 3 of
distant round spots. The expanded membrane black with 7 or 8 broad
distant, transversal bars of a brilliant orange. The tail above with
numerous small pale yellow spots. The forelegs with orange coloured
rounded spots, some of which tipped with azure. ; the hindlegs minutely
spotted with yellow. The throat pale azure ; abdomen pale oranse-
marbled with broad bluish black veins ; the tail beneath pale yellowish
white. The lower eyelid is pure white ; pupil circular, iris hazel with
a narrow golden ring.

Habit. — Malayan Peutusula, Pinang.
Cochin-China.

The head is covered with small elongated polygonal keeled scales ,

the upper jaw with 2(5, the lower with 18 to 20. The mental shield

is elongated, polygonal ; the upper part of the sides is joined to the

first lower labial scale ; the centre part is on each side in contact with

the first of series of 13 to 15 elongated polygonal scales, which follow

the tract of the labial, between which there is a narrow intervening

space covered with smooth polygonal scales, larger than those of the

rest of the throat. The back and wing-membranes are covered with

minute granular scales ; the abdomen with larger smooth rhombic scales.

Those of the tail, above and beneath are ver titillated, rectangular,

subimbricate, and strongly keeled. The tongue is thick, fungous, not

scaly as incorrectly represented, with the tip much flattened, free and

slightly extensile, divided in two laterally compressed sharp points. —

The molar teeth are tricuspidate, increasing in size, the anterior being

the smallest. In the adult they are much worn and incrustated with

brown tartar, like the teeth of Semnopitheci and Ruminantia.

Dentition.

Incis. - — -, Canin. -, Molar. '. ..

1—1 1—1 11.11

The naiks are long, slightly arched, of a pale yellowish horn-colour.

The wing-membrane in a state of repose appears like a longitudinal
loose fold, extending along each side from the axilla to the inguinal re-
gion. Expanded the external margin becomes arched, the trunk and the
membranes forming a greatly flattened oval disk, (strongly contrasting

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. -43

with the bulky appearance of the parts in a state of repose,) resembling
the hood of Naja. The transversal diameter of the disk across
axilla and the inguinal region is 1 1 inch ; across the centre 2f
inches. Like the mechanism of the Genus Draco, the membranes
are expanded by means of the very long six anterior pairs of spurious
ribs, which the lizard has the power of moving forward under a right
angle with the vertebral column. The six posterior ones are excessively
short, and though equally moveable, do not appear materially to assist
in expanding the membranes. The latter are used as a parachute in
leaping from branch to branch, after which they immediately resume
their state of repose. Sudden fear, or anger will also cause a momentary
expansion. The femoral pores are situated on a scries of rather large
rhombic scales on each thigh. In a number of twelve adult individuals,
the pores varied from 13 to 19 on each thigh. In the specimens in
the Paris Museum, described by M. M. Dumeril and Bibron, there are
from 20 to 2-1 on each thigh.

This species appears to be numerous, but local. Twelve were at one
time obtained from a spice plantation in province Wellesley, some of
which were in the act of changing the integuments. They were very
active and swift, more so than their rather heavy make would induce to
believe, and they would bite and scratch when handled, although among
themselves in a spacious cage, they appeared peaceable, and patiently
submitted to being trodden, or run over by a neighbour, about ascending
the perch. The Malay, who brought the lizards, asserted they were frugi-
vorous, and might be fed with soft fruit and boiled rice, which was
perfectly true. In one immediately examined, the stomach and intes-
tines contained rounded seeds of various kinds from the smallest size
to that of a large pea, and vegetable fibres.*

The rest refused insects and different kinds of fruit, but duri112the.se-
vera! months' confinement each would daily eat a little boiled rice, and oc-
casionally take water. Of these none exceeded the following dimension- :

Length of the head, 0 ft. l^inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 0 4|

Ditto ditto tail, 1 o"

Entire length, 1 foot 5finch.
I he latter, however, as well as sand and fragments ol stones, also occur in caini\, -
rous and insectivorous lizards, a^ well as serpents, which swallow these substances to
timulate digestion.

U Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting tin

Length of the intestinal canal :

Small intestines, of inch.

Large ditto 3

Ccecum, Of

The stomach is of a lengthened pyriform shape, one inch in length ;
Duodenum, narrow, receives Ductus coleductus at f inch distance from
Pylorus. — Ccecum is very short, nearly circular. The large intestine
is sacculated, terminating in a short simple rectum.

There seems to be reason to believe that Leiolepis revesii,* Gray,
inhabiting " China" and Arracan, is also found on the Malayan
Peninsula.

FAM. SCINCID.E, Gray, (LEPIDOSAURES, Dumeril and Bibron.)

Sub. Fam. Saurophthalmin^l, Coeteau.

Gen. Gongyltjs, Wagler, apud Dumeril and Bibron.

Nostrils lateral, pierced either through the nasal, or between the
nasal and rostral shield ; tongue notched, squamous ; teeth conical,
often slightly compressed, and as it were wedge-shaped, simple ; palate
toothed or not, with a posterior notch or a longitudinal groove ; auricu-

* Syn. Uromustix revesii, Gray.—" Olive with a series of bright red spots on each
side." (Griffith: Animal Kingdom, IX. p. 62.) Such was the only account of this
species at the time of the publication of Erpetologie Generate, where it is not intro-
duced. Mr. Gray's latest description runs thus : " Olive with longitudinal series of pale
whitish spots ; when alive blackish, with orange spots on the bach, and a series of bright
red spots on the sides. — China." (Catalogue, &c. p. 263.)

The Museum of the Asiatic Society possesses an adult male and a young specimen,
sent from Arracan by Capt. Phayre. The form resembles in every particular that of
Leiolepis guttatus, from which the present species principally differs by its colours, larger,
heavier make and size. Each jaw is covered by 20 scales. From the mental scale pro-
ceeds a series of 10 larger scales on each side below the labial. On the throat appear 2
or 3 strong transversal folds, of which the anterior commences from the posterior margin
of the tympanum, The tail is covered with keeled verticillate scales as in L. gutta-
tus, but not with " rings of smooth scales" as Mr. Gray's generic character states.

4 1—1 10.10

Dentition. — Incis. , Canin. , Molar. , Femoral pores 20.

1-1 1—1 10.10

Length of the head, 0 feet If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 0 6£

Ditto ditto tail, 1 (j

Entire length, 1 7| inch.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 4")

lar apertures ; four feet, each with 5 unequal, slightly compressed, not
dentilated, nailed toes; sides rounded; tail conical or slightly com-
pressed, pointed.

Sub-Gen. Eumeces, Wiegmann.

Nostrils pierced through the nasal shield, near the posterior margin ;
2 supernasal shields ; palate not toothed, with a rather shallow triangular
notch behind ; scales smooth.

Eumeces punctatus, (Linne,) Var.

Syn. — Lacevta punctata, Linne.
Stellio punctatus, Laurenti.
La Double raie, Danb., apud Lacep, Bonnat.

{Donml.
Shaw.
Latreillc.
Scincus bilineatus, Daudin.
Scincus punctatus, Schneider, apud Merrem.
Seps scincoi'des, Cuv. apud Griffith, A. K.
Lygosoma punctata, Gray, apud Griff. A. K.
Riopa punctata, Gray.
Tiliqua cuvierii, Cocteau.
Tiliqua duvaucellii, Cocteau.

Eumeces punctatus, Wiegmann, apud Dum. and Bibr.
Riopa hardwickii, Gray : Catal, (Young.)

Trunk individually varying in length ; limbs very small, giving the
lizard a blindworm-like appearance ; tail very thick at the root, fusi-
form, tapering to a very sharp point, its length varying from one to
two-thirds of the entire length of the animal. On the anterior margin
of the ear a small tubercle. Above metallic chestnut, or greenish
bronce, in some with G more or less distinct, dotted, black lines along
the back, or with the two rows of scales nearest each side of a lighter
shade than the ground colour, thus forming two lighter longitudinal
bands. From the nostril to the middle of the side of the tail a black
or brown band, with numerous small white spots on the sides. Limbs
outside dotted with white. Beneath sulphur-coloured, in some the
throat and tail minutely dotted with black. Iris dark brown, with
a narrow, circular, golden ring.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinany, Sinyapore.
Malabar and Coromandel Coast, Bengal.

46 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

The Variety described above, is numerous in the Malayan countries,
both on hills and in valleys. Of several the largest individual was of
the following dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 21

Ditto ditto tail, 1|

Entire length, 4§ inches.

Sub. Gen. Euprepis, Wagler.

Nostrils pierced through the posterior part of the nasal shield ; two
super-nasals ; palate with a more or less deep triangular incision ;
pterygoid teeth ; scales keeled.

EUPREPIS RUFESCENS, (Shaw.)

Syn. — Lacerta maritima maxima, &c. Seba II, Tab. 105, Fig 3.
Lacerta rui'escens, Shaw, III, P. 1, P. 2S5.

Scincus rufcscens, Merrem, apud -l r,mier< „ ._,,_, , ..

1 I Gray m Gnflitli, A. K.

Scincus multifasciatus, Kuhl.

Mabouva multifasciata, Fitzinger.

Euprepis multifasciatus, Wagler.

Tiliqua fufescens, Gray.

Eumeces rufescens, Wiegmann.

Tiliqua carinata, Gray.

Tiliqua affinis, Gray, (Young.)

Euprepes sebne, Dumeril et Fubron.

Body strong ; limbs proportionate ; tail rounded, slightly com-
pressed, little exceeding half the entire length. Scales of the back and
sides : in the young with 5 to 7 keels ; in the adult the dorsal scales
with 3 to .") keels, the rest smooth. The anterior margin of the ear with
3 or 4 minute lobules. Lower eyelid with a series of 4 or d larger, square
scales. Pterygoid teeth minute, few, hid in the palatal membrane, form-
ing a short line on each side of the triangular incision of the palate.

Habit. — Sandwich-Islands, Philippines, Timor, Celebes, Borneo, Java,
Coromandel, Bengal.

Var. D., Dumeril and Bibron.
Above. Ground colour shining bronce with 5 to 7 zigzag, or dotted
black lines, in some continued on the tail ; sides with many of the scales
black, with a square white spot in the middle, in some arranged so as

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 47

to produce numerous, distant, transversal bands. The margins of some
or all the shields of the head black. Beneath sulphur-coloured. Iris
black with a golden circular ring.
tjv13IT> — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang, Singapore.

Var. E., Dumeril and Bibron.
Above uniformly shining bronze ; sides in some sprinkled with blood
red ; rest like the preceding.

II a hit. — Same localities.

Var. F., Dumeril and Bibron.
Above uniformly shining bronze ; the anterior half of the sides with
a broad blood-red stripe, which in specimens preserved in spirits of
wine changes to whitish, or disappears ; the posterior part of the sides
of the body and the anterior of the tail in some with scpiare sky-blue
spots in the middle of some of the scales ; rest like the preceding.

Habit. — Same localities.

These three varieties are exceedingly numerous in the hills and val-
leys of the Malayan countries. They may be seen basking in the sun,
in bamboo hedges, or on trees, and they fearlessly enter houses in
pursuit of insects, in which they display great agility. The female
deposits G to 12 yellow white, oval, cylindrical eggs, half an inch
in length. Nearly all have on the lower two-thirds of the tail a series
of lar<rc scuta. In one individual observed the last two-thirds of the
back of the tail was covered with a single series of very broad scales, of
which each of the anterior had 15 to 1G keels. In another the tail
had been lost near the root, and reproduced by a pyramidal, soft, naked
process, § inch long, with circular folds like those of the body of
Ichthyophis. — Var. F. appears to exceed the others in size : the largest
was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, '. 3f

Ditto ditto tail, 4f

Entire length : 8| inch .

Euprkpis ernestii, Dumeril and Bibron.

Syn. — Scineus ernestii, Boie, MSS.

Psammite de Van Ernest, Coctean.
Dasia olivacea, Uray : Catal.

-4tS Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Form like E. rufescens. Triangular incision of the palate very small,
with a few minute pterygoid teeth on each side. Ears obliquely oval,
small, appearing more so being half covered by two of the temporal
scales ; no lobules on the anterior margin. Scales of the back with
minute, longitudinally waved lines, and from 3 to 8 indistinct keels.
The outer half of the toes and the nails sharply compressed. A series
of scuta beneath the tail.

Very young. Head light green bronze, shields edged with black and
a black line, edged with silver, from the muzzle to the ear. Back,
sides, root of the tail and outside of the limbs shining black with
numerous transversal, waved, silvery lines. Feet and toes rose, or
flesh-coloured. Tail brilliant scarlet.* Throat, abdomen and inside
of the limbs silvery white.

Adult. Ground colour greyish-brown bronze. Frontal and supra-
orbital shields black edged ; fronto-parietals, inter-parietals and parietals
black, each with a whitish elongated mark, united, forming a symmetrical
figure. From the nostril to the eye a black streak. Neck and body
with a number (12 to 14,) of distant, transversal, waved bands, com-
posed of black scales, each with a rectangular white spot in the middle.
Outside of limbs with 4 or 5 similar bands. In some a buff coloured
lateral band on the posterior part of the back, and the anterior half of
the side of the tail. Beneath iridescent light bluish-green; scales with
whitish edges. Iris black with a golden narrow circle.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula, Pinang.
Java.

In habits this species resembles Euprepis rufescens, but appears to
be far less numerous. In a female were found eleven eggs, in shape,
size and colours resembling those of E. rufescens. The young, above
described, was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1

Ditto ditto tail, If

Entire length : 3| inch.

* The very young of Eumeces lessonii, Dum. and Bibr. (Scincus cyanurus, Lesson,)

is distinguished by a similar distribution of colours.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Of the two adult individuals the large measured :

Length of the head, 0-f inch,

Ditto ditto trunk, 3f-

Ditto ditto tail, 4f

Entire length : 8f inches.

Sub-Gen. Lygosoma, Gray, apudDum. and Bibr.

Nostrils pierced through the nasal shield ; no supranasals ; palate

toothless, with a small triangular incision, situated far hack ; scales

smooth.

Lygosoma chalcides, (Linne.)

Syn. — Scincus pedibus brevissimis, &c. Gronov. P. II, No. l.'i
Lacerta chalcides, Linne.
Angvis quadrupes, Linne, apud Hermann.
Le Chalcide, Daid>enton.
Der Vierfuss, Miiller.
Lezard vert a ecailles lisses, Vosmaer.

f Hermann.

I Gmelin.
Lacerta serpens, Bloch, apud < Leske.

Donnd.

LShaw.
Angvis quadrupede, Lacepede.
Chalcida serpens, Meyer.
Lacerta serpens, Donnd, apud Shaw.
Scincus braehypus, Schneid. apud Merrem.
Chalcides serpens, Latreille.
Seps pentadactj lus, Daudin.

Seps (Angvis quadrupes, Lin.) Cuv., apud Griffith, A. K.
Mabouya serpens, Fitzinger ?

Lygosoma serpens, Gray, apud j q^^' a. k.

Lygosoma aurata, Gray, apud Griffith. A. K.
Tiliqua de Vosmaer, Cocteau.
Lygosoma brachypoda, Dumeril and Bibron.
Podophis chalcides, Gray : Catal.

Blindworm-like ; limbs excessively small ; tail strong, conical, about
two-fifth of the entire length. A single large lozenge-shaped fronto-
parietal shield. Ear minute, circular. Lower eyelid scaly, with a few
larger scales. Preanal scales larger than the rest.

Ground colour : iridescent lighter or darker copper, or bronze, in some
with indistinct dark brown zigzag lines, produced by the scales being
laterally edged or dotted with that colour. Beneath pale or whitish
yellow. The tail in some minutely dotted with brown. Iris black with
a minute golden ring. The supraorbital scales being somewhat trans-
parent, the black colour of the eye gives them a blackish appearance.

50 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Habit. — Piuang.

Singapore, Java.
But two individuals were observed on the Great Hill of Pinang, oua
by Sir W. Norris, the other by myself. The latter made its appearance
through a hole in the soft, moist mould beneath a group of Polympo-
dium horsfeldii. Above ground its movements were very quick, ser-
pent-like, apparently little assisted by the tiny limbs. The head of
the larger measured f inch, the trunk 2| inches in length. One
had but 4 toes on the anterior feet. In both the tail was reproduced,
which is also the case in a third, from Singapore, preserved in the
Museum of the Asiatic Society.

OPHIDIA.

INNOCUOUS SERPENTS.

FAM. TYPHLOPIM, Gray.

BURROWING.
Gen. Pilidion, Diunvril and Bibron.
Head covered with shields, cylindrical, very short, as if truncated,
convex above, declivous in front ; muzzle rounded ; rostral shield like
a large rounded cap covering the head and muzzle ; an anterior frontal,
a frontal, a pair of supra-orbital-, ocular-, nasal-, and fronto-nasal shields ;
neither parietals, inter-parietals, nor prse-orbitals ; nostrils hemispheri-
cal, under the muzzle, between the nasal-and fronto-nasal shields ; eyes
excessively small, hidden by the ocular shields.

Pilidion lineatum, (Boie.)

Syn. — Acontias lineatus, Reinwardt, MS.
Typhlops lineatus, H. Boie.
Typhlina, Wagler.

Typhlops lineatus, Gray in Griffith, A. K.
Typhlops lineatus, Schlegel.
Pilidion lineatum, Dumeril and Bibron.
Typhlinalis lineatum, Gray : Catal.

Ground-colour pale gamboge or orange, uniform on the head, the

apical third of the tail, and the abdomen ; interrupted on the back and

sides by 12 longitudinal, serrated brown lines, produced by a minute

triangular spot on each side of the scales.

Habit. — Pinang Hills.

Java, Sumatra, Singapore.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 5 1

A single individual, captured by Sir William Norris, differs from the
description given by M. M. Dumeril and Bibron in the comparatively
greater dimensions of the tail. It is strongly arched; its length
equals twice the breadth of the head ; it is covered with 16 trans-
versal series of scales, and it is considerably thicker than the rest
of the uniformly cylindrical body. The anterior frontal shield is
very broad, larger than the frontal. It was of the following dimen-
sions : —

Length of the head, 0 feet Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 Of

Ditto ditto tail, 0 Of

1 ft. If inch.
Circumference of the trunk f inch ; of the tail f inch.

Gen. Typhlops, Schneider.

Head covered with shields, depressed ; muzzle rounded, covered above
and beneath by the rostral shield ; an anterior frontal, a frontal, a pair
of supra-orbitals, one or two pairs of parietals and interparietals ; a
pair of nasals, fronto-nasals, prae-orbitals and oculars ; nostrils lateral,
hemispherical, opening in the suture between the nasal and fronto-
nasal ; eyes lateral, more or less distinct ; pupil round.

Typhlops nigro-albus, Dumeril and Bibron.
Syn. — Argyrophis bicolor, Gray : Catal.

Shining black above ; on the head some transversal and radiating
whitish yellow lines ; scales of the back edged with white ; beneath
whitish yellow.

Habit. — Pinang Hills, Singapore.

Sumatra.
This species is closely allied to T. diardi, Schlegel,* an inhabitant
of Assam and the Khassia Hills. Of two individuals observed, the
larger was of the following dimensions.

Length of the head, 0 feet Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 0

Ditto ditto tail, 0 Of

lft. Of inch.

Circumference of the trunk f inch, of the tail 1^ inch.
' Svn,— T. diai dii, apud Dum. ami Bibr. — Argyrophis harsfieldii, Gray : Catal.

52 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Typhlops braminus, (Daiulin.)

Syn. — L'Orvet lombric, Lacepede.

Anguis. Rondoo Talooloo Ptim. Russell, I. PI. 43.
Punctulated Slow-Worm, Shaw.
Eryx braminus, Daudin.
Typhlops rondoo talooloo, Cuvier.
Tortrix russelii, Merrem.

I" Cuvier.
Typhlops braminus, apud-j Fitzinger.

L Gray in Griffith, A. K.
Typhlops russellii, Schlegel.

Typhlops braminus, Cuvier, apud Dume'ril and Bibron.
Argyrophis bramicus, Gray : Catal.

Shining copper-coloured, or brown of various shades above, paler
beneath. Some individuals of a uniformly bluish white. All the
scales with a dark brown spot at the anterior part. The shields of the
head have a whitish line close to their margins. In the young the
latter is crenulated, and the sides of the head, lips, throat; the anal
region, and the point of the tail are yellowish or whitish, and the body
is semitransparent.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.

Canton-Province, Philippines, Guam (Marian Isles,) Java,
Tenasserim, Bengal, Assam, Coromandel, Ceylon, Malabar.
In the Malayan countries this species is numerous in hills and

valleys. The eyes are black, the pupil round, which is also the case in

T. nigro-albus. The largest of a great number examined was of the

following dimensions : —

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 7f

Ditto ditto tail, 0|

7f inch.
Circumference of the neck £ inch ; of the tail f inch.

The preceding species of this family are all of similar habits. They
mostly live under ground, but appear occasionally in shady places,
particularly after showers of rain, in Bengal, in the rainy season. They
are very agile, and appear to make use of the horny point of the tail
as a propeller. When taken, they frequently press it against the hand
in their attempts to escape. Reposing on the ground Typhlops bra-

Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

0.)

minus may easily be mistaken for an earthworm, until its serpentine
movements, the darting of the white furcated tongue, while the head
and neck are raised, make it known. In confinement they refuse food
and water. In all dissected, the stomach contained some earth ; in a
few, remains of insects, (myriapoda, ants.) A young female had a
string of six cylindrical soft eggs, of a yellowish white colour, each
about f of an inch in length, -^ in diameter.

FAM. BQID.E, Bonapartk.

BURROWING.
Gen. Cylindrophis, Wagler.
Scales smooth, imbricate, hexagonal ; those of the abdomen broader
than the rest ; nostrils subvertical, opening in the lower part of the
anterior frontal shield ; neither nasals, frenals, nor prae-orbitals ; a single
post-orbital ; frontals large, reaching the minute eye, and the large 2nd and
3rd labials ; supra-orbitals, occipitals and vertical distinct ; tail very short.

Cylindrophis rufus, (Laurenti)

{Gmelin.
Schneider.
Shaw.
Anguis striatus, Gmelin.

Anguis scytale, Limit', apud Russell. II. PI. 27-
Shilay Pamboo, Russell, II. PI. 28 (young.)
Anguis corallina, Shaw.
Eryx rufa, Daudin.

''Gray.

Tortrix rufa, Merreni, apud*

Schinz.
Sehlegel.
. Filippi.

Scj tale scheuchzeri, Merrem.

Ilysia rufa, Lichtenstein, apud Fitzinger.

Cylindrophis resplendens, Wagler.

Cylindrophis rufa, Gray, apud Dumeril and Bibron.

Iridescent blackish brown above, beneath with alternate black and
yellowish white transversal bands or interrupted bars. Iris black,
pupil vertically contracted by the light ; tongue whitish. Central
series of abdominal scales 206 ; subcaudal 6.

1 1 a r i t . — Sing apore .

Java, Tranquebar, Bengal. (?)
A single individual, turned up with the earth in a garden at Singa-
pore belonging to Dr. Montgomerie, differs from the description

54 Catalogue nf Reptiles inhabiting the

given by M. M. Dumeril and Bibron in the following particulars. The
head is uniformly black, without the two scarlet frontal spots ; the
apex of the tail whitish ; the posterior part of the body is more robust
than the anterior ; the length of the head forms more than -£T of the
entire length of the animal ; there are six pairs of labial shields on
each jaw, and the scales of the trunk are disposed in 20 longitudinal
series. It unites characters assigned by M. M. Dumeril and Bibron
as distinguishing Cyliadrophis rufus from C. melanotus, Wagler, and
it would therefore appear that Dr. Schlegel is justified in considering
the latter from Celebes (Tortrix melanota, Boie, MS.) as a variety of
rufa. In the present individual there is no external appearance of the
very rudimentary anal hooks. It was slow in its movements, attempted
to escape, but not to bite.

Length of the head, 0 feet Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 6f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 0

1 ft. 71 inch.

Gen. Xenopeltis, Reinwardt.

Head rather narrower than the trunk, depressed, obsoletely angular ;
eyes small, round ; nostrils large, apical ; frenal shield very large ;
prse-orbital none ;* post-orbitals three ;f interparietal very large,
equalling the vertical ; trunk thick, short with imbricate smooth hex-
agonal scales, disposed in longitudinal series, increasing in size towards
the narrow abdominal scuta ; tail thick, short, awl-shaped, beneath
with scutella.

Xenopeltis unicolor, Reinwardt.

Syn. — Xenopeltis concolor, Reinwardt.

Xenopeltis leucocephala, Reinwardt (young.)
Guerin : Iconog. PI. 21, Fig. 3.
Tortrix xenopeltis, Schlegel.

Adult. — Blackish or reddish brown above with strong metallic blue,
purple, and green lustre ; lips and throat buff; the lowest lateral series

* The single prae-orbital is very largre, the frenal small, sub-rectangular ; the jiostrils
open between the latter and the nasal shield,
t Three individuals examined, presented two post-orbitals.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 55

of scales, scuta and scutella pale reddish brown with broad whitish
margins. Iris black ; pupil lanceolate with the apex downwards, ver-
tically contracted by the light ; tongue buff.

Young. — Head yellowish white with a brown spot on the crown
and labial shields ; the scales of the sides edged with white, producing
longitudinal zig-zag lines ; the two lowest series of scales and scuta
yellowish white ; scutella of the same colour with a brown transversal
line.

Scuta 175 to 179, Scutella 26' to 27.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.
Celebes, Java, Sumatra.
Of three young individuals, one was found by Sir William Norris
on the Great Hill at Pinang, a second by Dr. Montgomerie at Singa-
pore, and a third was obtained in Province Wellesley, where also a
single adult male was killed. As this serpent in general appearance bears
a strong resemblance to Lycodon aulicus, (Linne) (Syn. L. hebe, apud
Schlegel), so it also does in its fierce habits, and mode of attack. The
scales are smooth, rhombic-hexagonal, disposed in 15 longitudinal series.
Labial shields -|3-|. The stomach of a young individual examined, con-
tained the remains of a rat. The adult attains to a much larger size
than supposed : a male was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 feet. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3 2f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 4

3 ft. 7f inch.

Circumfernce of the neck 2|, of the trunk 4|, of the root of the

tail 2 inch.

TERRESTRIAL.

Gen. Python, Dan/fin.

Entire shields under the abdomen and tail, the latter cylindrical,

sometimes with scutella ; anus with scales and a hook on each side.

Python ueticulatus, (Schneider.)

Syx.— Seba I, Tab. 62, Fig. 2 ; II. Tab. ?.), Fig. 1. and Tab. Si). Fig. 1.
Liar sawa, Wurmb.
La jaune et blcue Lacepede.
L'oularsawa, Bonnaterre.
Boa reticulata, Sebneider, apud Daudin.
Boa rhombeata, Schneider.

5C Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Boa aniethystina, Schneider.
Boa constrictor, Var e, Latreille.
Boa phrygia ; Shaw.
Coluber javanicus, Shaw.
Boa constrictor, Var 5, Daudin.
Python amethystinus, Daudin.
Python des isles de la Sonde.

r F. Boie.
Python schneiderii, Merrem, apud < Guerin.

L Schlegel.
Coluber javauensis, Fleming.

r Fitzinger.
Python javanicus,* Kuhl, apud-^ Gray in Griffith, A. K,

L Eichwald.
Constrictor (P. schneideri, Kliul) Wagler.
Python reticularis, Gray, apud Dumeril and Bibron.
" Ular sawa" of the Malays.

Ground-colour above light yellowish-brown, chestnut or olive-green,
assuming a greyish hue on the sides, all the colours strongly iri-
descent, particularly reflecting metallic blue, or green. The head
is divided from the muzzle to the nape of the neck by a black line,
continued along the back to the point of the tail and describing a
series of large lozenges, sometimes linked to each other by a small black
ring, sometimes broken up into large irregular patches. A black ob-
lique hue proceeds from behind the eye towards the angle of the mouth,
continuing on the sides as a series of more or less regular lozenges,
which are joined to the lateral angles of those of the back by a large
black triangular spot with a white arched mark in the centre. The
scales nearest the black margins of the lozenges are of a lighter colour
than the rest, sometimes whitish. Between and within the lateral
lozenges appear numerous black spots, or interrupted lines. The lips
(the lower in some present a black line), and abdominal scuta are
gamboge, or pale yellow, as well as the lowest two or three series of
scales, but the latter with irregular black spots. The caudal scutella,
and scuta, when present, are yellow, marbled with black. The iris is
silvery flesh-coloured or yellowish-brown, sometimes with a black bar ;
the pupil vertically contracted by the light. The tongue is black
above, bluish white beneath. In the young the colours are brighter
than in the adult.

Scuta 297 to 330 ; Scutella 82 to 102.

' Pytho javanicus, figured and described in Abel's Narrative, &c, is Python molurus,
( Linne.)

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 57

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Chusan ?* Amboina, Java, Banka, Sumatra, Bengal I figg1"

The two ibssets of the rostral shield are pyriform with the apex
diverging, and those of the nearest 3 or 4 upper labials are of similar
shape. The inferior fossets are square, occupying the lower margin ot
the shield, varying from 7 to 9 on each side. The foremost of these
is situated on the shield corresponding to that of the upper jaw, which
borders the orbit.

This species is very numerous in the Malayan hills and valleys, feed-
ing upon quadrupeds and birds. It often takes up its abode in out-
houses, preying at night, and is thus useful in destroying vermin,
although plunder is occasionally committed in poultry yards. Dr.
Montgomerie has seen in George Town, Pinang, a young one which
the inhabitants suffered to retain unmolested possession of the rice
stores in order to secure them against the ravages of rats. Indivi-
duals of 16 ft. in length are of no rare occurrence. In 184 4 one was
killed at the foot of Pinang, which a gentleman informed me measured
more than 30ft. During the expedition to China in 1840 one was
shot from the poop of one of H. M. Transports, then riding in Singa-
pore roads, between 3 and 4 miles from the shore. It was about 9ft.
long, and had the upper part of the head infested with Ixodes ophio-
philus, Miillcr. The Chinese attribute great medicinal qualities to
the heart and the gall-bladder, and use the skin to cover the bodies
of some of their musical instruments. Python tnolurus, (Linne,) Pedda
Poda, Russell, I. PI. 22. 23, 24, and Bora, PL 39, is said also to
occur, but rarely, in the Malayan Peninsula, but I never had an oppor-
tunity of seeing it.

* Skins arc of frequent occurrence at Chusan, and the natives assert that the serpent
is found there and on the neighbouring continent. Serpents from 14 to 16 feet in length,
" Rock-snakes," were observed by several officers during our occupation of the island.

Ifcf-M. M. Duineril and Bibron state that this species has been sent from Bengal by
M. A. Duvaucel. The natives are not acquainted with it, and the specimens in the
Museum of the Asiatic Society are from Pinang. The living animal is occasionally
brought from the Straits of Malacca to Calcutta, and such is probably the history of the
specimen sent from Bengal by M. Duvancel. Python molurus, (Linne,) ( Pedda Poda
and Bora of Russell,) is very numerous in Bengal.

jg Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

AQUATIC.
Gun. Ackochordus, apud Schlegel.

{Acrochordus, Hornstedt, 1787. — Chersydrus, Cuvier, 1817.)
Acrochordus, Hornstedt. Nostrils vertical, eyes encircled by a ring
of minute scales ; trunk compressed, attenuated towards both extremi-
ties ; tail tapering, compressed ; all the scales small, trifid, strongly
keeled.

Acrochordus jayanicus, Hornstedt.

Syn. — Acrochordus javanicus, apud Shaw.

Acrochordus javensis, Lacep. apud Cuvier.

Acrochordus javauicus, apud Schlegel.

" U'lar karong, or sapi, or lembu" of the Malays.*

Young. Above dull greyish-brown ; sides and lower parts pale yellow,
or dirty ochre ; back with 3 longitudinal, undulating, frequently inter-
rupted black bands ; sides and abdomen with rows of rounded spots,
marbled and dotted with black.

Adult. Of similar, but less distinct colours. Iris brown, pupil
elliptic, vertically contracted by the light ; tongue whitish.
Habit. — Pinang, Singapore.
Java.
A female captured on the Great Hill ut Pinang, at a distance from
water, was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 4 7

Ditto ditto tail, 0 9

5ft. 5f inch.

Greatest circumference one foot.

Notwithstanding the sharply compressed abdomen, the serpent mov-
ed without difficulty, but sluggishly on the ground, and preferred
quiet. When touched she attempted to bite, but the pupil being con-
tracted by the glare, she missed her aim. Shortly after being brought,
while the rest of the body remained motionless, the posterior ribs were
observed moving, and the serpent successively, in the course of about
25 minutes, brought forth twenty- seven young ones. Each birth was

* U'lar signifies a serpent, kdrong a sac ; sdpi and lembu a cow or ox. These expres-
sive vernacular names refer to the loose skin, and the bulk of the animal.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 59

followed by some sanguinolent serum. With two exceptions the foetus
appeared with the head foremost. They were very active, bit fiercely;
and their teeth were fully developed. Shortly after birth the integu-
ments came off in large pieces, which is also the case with the foetus of
several species of Homalopsis. The present ones were placed in water,
which however appeared to distress them, as they all attempted to
escape on dry ground. Nearly all were of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 If

Ditto ditto tail, 0 3

lft. 5 inch.

The Malays of Pinang assert that this species is of very rare occur-
rence. During a residence of 20 years at Singapore, Dr. Montgomerie
observed it but in a solitary instance. The physiognomy of this
species bears a striking resemblance to that of a thorough-bred Bull-
dog, which in a somewhat less degree also may be said of the follow-
ing.

Sub-Gen. Chersydms,* Cuvier. Head and body uniformly covered
small scales.

Acrochordus granulatus, (Schneider.)

Syn. — Hydrus granulatus, Schneider.
Angvis granulatus, Schneider.
Acrochordus fasciatus, Shaw.
Acrochordus dubius, Shaw.
Pelamis granulatus, Daudin.
Chcrsydrus (A. fasciatus, Shaw), Cuvier.
Acrochordus fasciatus, apud Raffles.
Chersydrus granulatus, Merrem, apud Wagler.
Acrochordus fasciatus, apud Schlegel.
• U'lar limpa," t-W or " U'lar laut" of the Malays.

Young. Blackish-brown or liver-coloured ; the head with a few
scattered yellowish-white spots, the rest of the body with numerous
rings of the latter colour, some interrupted on the back, others on the
abdomen.

* This Sub-Gen. was founded upon the erroneous supposition that Acrochordus fascia-
tus, Shaw, possessed venomous organs.
t^* Limpa, i. e. liver, liver-coloured.

,,(' Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the.

Adult. The dark colours fade to a dull greyish black, uniform 00
the back, and the sides and abdomen present alternate dark and whitish
vertical bands. Lis black, pupil vertically contracted ; tongue whitish.

Habit. — Rivers and sea-coast of the Malayan Peninsula and Islands.
Bay of Manilla, New-Guinea, Timor, Java, Sumatra, Coro-
mandel.

This species appears not to exceed about 3ft. in length. The body is
less bulky and the skin less loose than in A.javanicus. But the form
is more compressed, particularly the sword, or oar-like tail, and -like
that of the pelagic venomous serpent, appears exclusively calculated
to aquatic habits. The scales also resemble those of the latter, and are
generally smaller than in A. javanicus. Those of the back, the largest,
are rounded rhombic, each with a minute tubercle in the centre. The
skin in the interstices is finely wrinkled. On the abdomen the scales
are mucronate, with a sharp, reclining central point. In both species
the medial line is raised by 2 or 3 quincunx rows of scales with their
points overlapping each other. The orbit is surrounded by a ring
of scales a little larger than the rest. The nostrils, pierced high up
on the muzzle, are almost vertical, slightly more so than they are in
.J. javanicus. In both they are tubular, larger in the present species,
sinuous, and provided with a deeply seated membranous fold, which
can hermetically close the passage. The mouth is secured in a similar
manner by a central arched notch and two lateral protuberances, which
correspond to a protuberance and two lateral cavities in the lower jaw.
This contrivance also occurs in Hydrus, and to a certain extent in
Homalopsis. With the exception of the dentition and the absence of
venomous organs, in anatomical details both species of Acrochordus
closely resemble Hydrus. As observed by M. Schlegel, the most
striking feature is the great development of the lung, which occupies
nearly three-fourths of the extent of the abdominal cavity. A some-
what similar arrangement also occurs in Homalopsis. All the maxillary
teeth (inter-maxillary none) are strong, pointed, inwardly reclining and
disposed in double or treble rows. The 3 anterior teeth are the short-
est : the upper jaw has on each side upwards of 20 teeth, the lower 3
or 4 less. The palatal teeth number 12 on each side, the pterygoid 9,
and are shorter than the rest. Acrochordus granulatus is of no rare

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 61

occurrence in the sea of the Malayan coasts, although, according to
Raffles, it is rarely seen on the coasts of Sumatra. At Pinang they
are found among the fishes, taken in the stakes some 3 or 4 miles
distant from the coast. M. Schlegel is mistaken in stating that this
species never inhabits the sea,* and in censuring M. Eschscholtz for
his slating that the fishermen often take it in the Bay of Manilla. A
female of the following dimensions had six eggs :• —

Length of the head, 0 feet Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 7f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 3f

2 ft. Ill inch.

8

Greatest circumference, 4 inches.

The egg is cylindrical, soft, coriaceous, whitish, about 1 \ inch in
length. In each egg was coiled up a living young one of the following
dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, «)

Ditto ditto tail, \\

10]- inch.
Greatest circumference, 1 inch. In food and general habits this
species resembles the pelagic, venomous, serpents ; in its element, it is
active, but on dry, blinded by the daylight, it is sluggish and of uncer-
tain movements.

FAM. COLUBRIDE, Bonaparte.

TERRESTRIAL.

Gen. Calamaria, //. Boie.

Body diminutive, elongated, obtuse at both extremities, throughout

of equal diameter, cylindrical ; eyes very small with round pupil ;

frontals one pair, laterally extending to the labials ; frenals none ;

nostrils lateral, opening in a small shield between the frontal, rostral

and anterior labial ; one prfe-orbital, one post-orbital, four mental shields ;

dorsal scales rhombic, polished, smooth ; tail very short.

Calamaria lumbricoidea, Schlegel, Yak.

Syn. — Calamaria lumbricoidea, Boie, MS.

Calamaria virgulata, Boie, MS. (Young.)
* Essai ,&c. p. 492.

62 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Strongly iridescent, brownish-black, lighter on the head, scales with
whitish edges; cheeks, lips and throat citrine ; the lowest row of scales
and abdominal surface yellowish white ; sub-caudal scutella faintly
marked with brown ; eyes and tongue black.

Scuta 169; Scutella 26.

II a bit. — Pinang, Singapore.
Celebes, Java.

This variety differs in nothing but colours from the species describ-
ed by M. Schlegel. Of three individuals observed, two were taken by
Sir W. Norris and W. T. Lewis, Esq. in the hills of Pinang, the third
by Dr. Montgomerie at Singapore. The largest was of the following
dimensions :

Length of the head, 3f inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 If

Ditto ditto tail, If

1 ft. \± inch.

Circumference -f inch.

The livery bears a remarkable resemblance to that of Calamaria alba
(Linne), (C. brachyorrhos, Schlegel,) from which it however differs in
the absence of the anterior frontal shields, and in having 13 instead
of 17 longitudinal series of scales.

'O'

Calamaria linnei, II. Boie, Vvr. Schlegel.

Syn. — Calamaria reticulata, Boie, MS. ?

Changulia albiventer, Gray : 111. Ind. Zool. PI.— Fig. 6—9.*
Calamaria linnei, Var Schlegel.

Adult. Head brown, minutely dotted with black, lips and cheeks
pale gamboge ; trunk reddish brown, on each side with two vermillion
longitudinal bands with black serrated edges ; beneath carmine with
a black serrated line on each side ; subcaudal scutella with a central
hlack, zig-zag line ; all the colours strongly iridescent ; eyes black,
tongue vermilion.

Young. Like the adult, but with a broad black nuchal band, edged

* Referred by M. Schlegel to C. lumbricoideu , but the characteristic distribution of
ihe colours is that of the present I'ur. 1 'lie figure however is not good, and not colour-
ed from life.

HA- :TY

CAMBRIDGE. MA USA

J '.Slack MuUit Zttii' 3-cfs Cal

J) Cantor cUJ- .

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 63

with white, a vermilion band at the root of the tail, and in some a
similar near the point.
Scuta 166, Scutella 17.

Habit. — Pinang.

Java.
The present variety corresponds in all particulars te the description
of C. linnei hy M. Schlegel, who however does not mention that the
two or three anterior teeth on each side of the lower jaw are longer
than the rest. Of six individuals from the hills of Pinang the largest
individual measured

Length of the head, 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 10£

Ditto ditto tail, Of

1 1 inch.
Circumference of the neck f, of the trunk f inch.

Calamaria longiceps. n. s. (See plate, Fig. 1.)

Strongly iridescent soot-coloured, a shade lighter beneath ; the scuta
and scutella edged with whitish. Eyes and tongue black.
Scuta 131, Scutella 26.

Habit. — Pinang.

The head is elongated, narrow, conical, the muzzle rounded, project-
ing over the lower jaw. The anterior frontals are much smaller than
the frontals, which on the sides occupy the place of the absent frenal
shield, and thus reach the second upper labial ; the nasal is very
small, rectangular, perforated by the rather large nostril near the
lower anterior angle. The eye is comparatively large, between an
obliquely placed rectangular prse-orbital, and a similar post-orbital
shield ; the supra-orbitals are narrow, rectangular ; the vertical mode-
rate, pentagonal, arched and somewhat narrowed at the anterior mar-
gin. The occipitals, the largest, are elongated, bordered below by the
large fifth upper labial, and behind by a single pair of post-occipitals.
Each jaw has 5 pairs of labials. Of the 2 pairs of mentals, the ante-
rior is the longer, and is enclosed by the rostral and 3 anterior labials,
the posterior pair, by the fourth labial. The teeth are minute, sharp,
reclining, all of equal size. The trunk is cylindrical, narrowed towards

64 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

both extremities, covered with 15 longitudinal series of smooth, rhom-
bic, imbricate scales. The abdomen is arched, the short tail tapering
to a blunt point. This species approaches to Calamaria alba (Linne),
(C. brachyorrhos, Schlegel), but differs by its elongated shape of the
shields of the head, and its larger eyes. A single individual, captured
by W. T. Lewis, Esq., on the Great Hill of Pinaug, was of the follow-
ing dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 5

Ditto ditto tail, 0^-

6^ inch.
Circumference of the trunk ^, of the neck f, at the root of the
tail f inch.

Calamaria sagittaria.
Syn. — Calamaria sagittaria, Cantor : Spicil.

Head yellow or white, marbled with black, forming a streak above
(he citrine lips ; neck white with a black arrow-shaped mark ; back
partly ash, partly rust-coloured, with a medial series of distant minute
black spots; sides bluish-black or grey, with a narrow black line
above ; beneath citrine, the throat marbled with black, and with a
minute black spot near the lateral angle of each scutum. Iris golden,
tongue carmine.

Scuta 216 to 227 ; Scutella 57 to 70.

Habit. — Ma lagan Peninsula.
Bengal, Assam.

But for the diminutive size, and the reduced shields of the head and
throat, this species might be taken for a Coronelfa. The head is but
little distinct, depressed, ovate, covered by the normal number of
shields. The anterior frontals are very small, pentagonal ; the frenal
short rectangular. The nostrils are rather large, piercing the middle
of the nasal. The eyes are large, prominent with one prse-orbital, two
post-orbitals ; the upper jaw, but slighly longer than the lower, has on
each side 6 labials, the lower 7, enclosing two pairs of small mentals.
The temples are covered by three shields. The trunk, with 1 7 longi-
tudinal series of smooth, rhombofdal imbricate scales, is slightly thick-

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 65

er towards the middle than at the extremities ; the back throughout
depressed, forming an angle with the sides, and the abdomen is flat,
which makes a vertical section of the body square. The tail is very
slender, tapering to a sharp point, and exceeds one-fifth of the entire
length. The teeth are very minute, of equal size. A single specimen
from the Malayan Peninsula was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 9f

Ditto ditto tail, 2\

Hi inch.

Circumference of the trunk : f, of the neck and root of the tail | in.

In Bengal this species is of no uncommon occurrence, particularly
during the rainy season, when the water compels the serpents to leave
the shady recesses which most of them occupy to avoid the heat of
the day. The present species appears to be closely allied to the
African C. arctiventris, Schlegel.

Of the preceding four species, the three first appear at Pinang
exclusively to inhabit the hills, but the variety of C. lumbricoidea
occurs at Singapore in valleys. They are nowhere to be met in num-
bers. They are of gentle peaceable habits, never attempting to bite,
and scarcely to escape. They are sluggish, move but slowly, and to
a short distance, even when compelled by danger, and soon resume
the motionless position which they appear to affect. The remarkable
abstinence of most of their congeners, they possess but in a very
limited degree. In captivity they refuse food, and soon expire ; be-
sides, they are so delicate, that slight pressure in examining them, is
sufficient to kill them. Their bodies are very smooth, and brilliantly
reflect rain-bow-colours, which continue in preserved specimens, long
after the gay livery has faded. They feed upon slugs, earth-worms,
and insects. The stomach of a C. sagittaria contained remains of an
lulus and some sand. In general appearance, and habits these species
of Calamaria strongly resemble the Malayan Elaps (vide infra.)

Gen. (Joronella, Laurenti.
Head above covered with large plates, of which one between the eyes ;

''0 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

sides of the head and occiput with imbricate scales ; trunk narrowed
near the head, thicker towards the middle ; tail conical, elongated,
tapering to a sharp point.

CORONELLA BALIODEIRA, Schlegel.

Svx.— Patza Tutta, Russell I. PI. 29 ?
Coluber pictus, Daudiu ?
Coluber plinii, Merrem ?
Coronella baliodeira, Boie MS.

Above lighter or darker olive brown, yellowish on the head, the
scales minutely dotted with dark brown ; the anterior part of the trunk
with a number of distant transversal ocellated lines, composed of single
transversal series of white scales, edged with black, . labial shields
yellow edged with black ; beneath pearl coloured or yellowish white ;
iris golden, lower half blackish ; tongue black.

Scuta 122 to 132 ; Scutella 6.~> to 72.

Habit. — Pinang.

Java.

Of two individuals from the hills of Pinang, the larger was of the
following dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, Sf-

Ditto ditto tail, 3f

lft. 1 inch.

Circumference of the neck |, of the trunk |, of the root of the
tail |- inch.

Both agree with the description of M. Schlegel, except in having
two small prse-orbitals instead of one. Russell's No. 29, from Casem-
cottah, which according to M. Schlegel is Coluber pictus, Daudiu, C.
plinii, Merrem, is probably intended to represent the present species.
It is of fierce habits.

Gen. Xenodon, II. Boie.

Head scarcely distinct, muzzle obtuse, nostrils rounded, between 3
shields ; eyes encircled behind only by 3 shields ; trunk short robust ;
tail rather, short slowly tapering ; 4 very large mentals, the last upper
maxillary tooth the longest.

M<i/(djaii Peninsula and Islands. 67

Xenodon purpurascens, Schlegel.

Syn. — Coronella albocincta, Cantor, (Var.)

Above olive brown with black spots, and numerous pale red trans-
versal zig-zag bands, each with a submarginal black line. The first
occupies the space between the eyes, continuing obliquely backward
over the cheeks and lips ; the second, arrow-shaped, diverging over
the neck ; labial shields yellow with brown margins. Beneath strongly
iridescent pale carmine ; every other scutum entirely or partially
black near the lateral angles. Iris circular, golden, lower half dotted
with black ; tongue black.

Scuta 179 to 183 ; Scutella 36 to 6."i.
Habit. — Pinang.

Java, Tenasserim, (Var) Chirra-Punji, Assam, Darjeling,

Midnapore (Bengal.)

A solitary individual observed on the summit of the Great Hill of
Pinang, defended itself vigorously. The dimensions were :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, . 1 8f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 3*

2 ft. 1 inch.

Circumference of the neck, 1±, of the trunk 2, of the root of the
tail \\ inch. It differs from the description of M. Schlegel in having
21 longitudinal series of scales instead of 19, and on the right side 3

o

prEe-orbitals. Labials on each side -r- . The Variety described as Coro-
nella albocincta inhabits Assam, Chirra Punji, Darjeling, and Midna-
pore (Bengal.) It differs from those of the southern localities in having
the head not distinct from he trunk, and its shields are shorter. The
eyes are smaller, and, owing to the much swollen cheeks, appear sunk,
which with the remarkably shelving profile, contribute to render the
physiognomy singularly scowling. The largest specimen in the Museum
of the Asiatic Society measures in length 2 feet 5f inch., of which the
head f, the trunk 2 feet If, and the tail 3 inch. In all, the livery is
individually varying, but the arrow-shaped mark, double in some, ap-

pears to be constant. Labials on each side y'.

68 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Gen. Lycodon, //. Bote.

Head not very distinct, oblong, depressed ; supra-orbital shield trian-
gular, narrowed in front ; prse-orbital one ; post-orbitals two ; frenal
one ; eyes sunk, far removed from the muzzle ; pupil vertical ; trunk
elongated, somewhat compressed with smooth, rhomboidal, imbricate
scales ; tail short, tapering : anterior maxillary teeth longer than the
rest.

Lycodon aulicus, (Linne.)

Lyn. — Coluber aulicus, Linne (not apud Daudin.)
Russell* I, PI. 16, Gajoo Tutta.
Coluber striatus, Sbaw ?
Coluber malignus, Daudin.

Lycodon hebe, Boie, apud Wagler, Scblegel (excl. Synon. Col. hebe,
Daud.)

Lighter or darker chestnut with numerous white transversal bands,
(in some spotted with black,) on the sides forming a forked network,
composed of brown scales edged with white ; on each side of the hind-
head a white triangular spot (confluent in some,) with brown spots ;
lips similarly coloured ; beneath pearl-coloured ; eyes black ; tongue
whitish.

Scuta 208 to 257 ; scutella 57 to 91.

Habit. — Pinang.

■ Bengal, Coromandel.

Var. A.

Syn. — Lycodon bebe, Var, Scblegel.

With a number of large square white spots, with black edges and
central spots.

Habit. — Pinang.
Bengal.

Var. B.

Syn.— Russell II, PI. 37.

Lycodon capucinus, Boie.

Lycodon hebe, Var. javan. Schlegel.

Lycodon atropurpuveus, Cantor.

* Russell I, PI. 26, Karetta, upon which is founded Coluber galathea, Daudin,
appears to represent the present species, or one of its Varieties.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 69

Chesnut or deep purple marbled with white veins, edged with black,
with or without a white collar.

Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Tenasserim Provinces, Java.

Var. C.

Lyn. — Lycodon hebe, Var. timorensis, Scblegel.

Chestnut, with a white collar, and indistinct traces of white network.

Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Pulo Samao, Timor.

Var. D.

Syn — Russel II, PI. 39.

Lydocon subfuscus, Cantor.

Uniformly light brown above, the lips white, edged with brown.

II abit. — Malayan Peninsula.

Bengal.
This species occurs in the Malayan countries both in the hills and
valleys, but it is apparently not so numerous as it is in Bengal. It is of
fierce habits and defends itself vigorously, In one examined the sto-
mach contained a young Euprejais mfescens, (Shaw).

The largest individual observed, Var. li., was of the following
dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 8f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 4±

2 ft. If inch.

Circumference of the neck 1 inch, of the trunk If, of the root of the
tail f inch

Ophites. — Wagler differing from Lycodon in the absence of the
prse orbital shield ; frenal elongated ; eyes small, scales rhombic with
truncated points ; some of the posterior dorsal scales keeled.

Lycodon platurinus, (Shaw,)

Syn.— Seba Thes. I, 83, 3.
Russel, II, PL 41.
Coluber platurinus, Shaw.
Coluber platyrhinus, Merrem.
Lycodon subcinctus, II . Boie.
Ophites, Wagler.
Lycodon subcinctus, apud Scblegel.

70 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Shining blackish brown with steel blue reflections, and a varying
number of broad, distant bands, the lips, throat and a collar all white,
spotted with black ; beneath pale blackish brown, the anterior part of
the abdomen, the sharp lateral angle and the broad posterior margins
of the scuta and scutella whitish. Eyes black ; tongue flesh-coloured.

Scutta 221, Scutella 74.

Habit, — Pinang.

Java, Bengal.*
On both sides of each jaw the anterior 4 or 5 teeth increase in size
and are longer than the rest. The fifth upper maxillary tooth is re-
moved from the preceding, which in addition to the general shape of
the head and the lax integuments, imparts to this serpent a striking
resemblance to the venomous genus Bungarus. In fierceness it resem-
bles the preceding species. The only individual observed was captur-
ed near the summit of the Great Hill of Pinang, where it had seized a
large Euprejris rufescens, (Shaw). It was of the following dimensions.

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 8|

Ditto ditto tail, 0 7f

3ft. 5 inch.
Circumference of the neck If, of the trunk 2£ inch.

Lycodon effr.enis, n. s.

Shining bluish black above, with a few minute white spots, not
affecting the ground colour ; the throat, lips, and a band, bordering the
sides of the head from the muzzle to the hind head, buff coloured,
finely marbled with black ; beneath strongly iridescent, pale bluish
black, the scuta with whitish edges ; the body encircled by a number
(11,) of broad distant buff rings, above with indentated margins. Eves
black, pupil elliptical ; tongue whitish.

Scuta 228 ; Scutella 72.

* According to M. Schlegel, who observes that a specimen has been forwarded from
Bengal by M. Duvaucel. No specimen exists in the Museum of the Asiatic Society,
nor are the natives acquainted with the species.

Malayan Peninsula and Islam/-;.

i i

Habit. — Pinany.

The head is elongated, ovate depressed, broader than the neck, the
muzzle rounded, slightly projecting ; the anterior frontals are orbicular
pentagonal, much smaller .than the frontals, which are bent over the
sides, substituting the absent frenal, so as to meet the second upper
labial ; the nasal is small, rectangular, obliquely wedged in between the
rostral, the two pairs of frontals, and the anterior upper labial ; the
nostril large, piercing the middle of the shield ; the vertical is elong-
ated pentagonal, broader in front, so as to render the posterior
part of the moderate suprseorbitals broader than the anterior ; the
occipitals are the largest, elongated, on each side surrounded by 3
scales, somewhat longer than the rest covering the temples, and behind
by two small post-occipitals. The eyes are proportionally large and
prominent, surrounded by one prseorbital and two smaller post-orbitals,
the lower of which touches the narrow projecting fifth upper labial,
which with the fourth, borders the lower prat of the orbit ; the jaws are
covered by 8 pairs of upper, 9 of lower labials. The gape is moderate ;
the particulars of the dentition noted in L. platurinus, exist in the
present species. The two anterior of the three pairs of small elongated
mental shields are bordered by the six anterior pairs of labials ; behind
by a number of small scales. The trunk is slender, decreasing towards
both extremities, with 1/ longitudinal series of smooth, rhomboidal,
slightly imbricate scales. The back is depressed, forming an angle with
the compressed somewhat bulging sides. The latter are joined to the
flat narrow abdomen under a right angle on the sides of the scuta, so
that the vertical section of the body is quadangular. A single indivi-
dual found by Sir Win. Norris on the Great Hill of Pinang, was of
the following dimensions :

Length of the head, . . Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 9f

Ditto ditto tail, 2|

1 ft. Of inch.

Circumference of the neck f , of the trunk ■§, of the root of the tail
-f inch.

In fierceness the present species resembles its congeners, but unlike
them, it raises vertically the anterior part of the body, and bites after

72 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

a few oscillating movements from side to side. Lycodon platurinus,
and auiicus, like many other harmless, — and some venomous serpents,
the pupils of which are vertically closed by the light, prepare to attack
horizontally coiled on the ground, with the head bent close to the body,
and drawn as far backwards as possible, when, suddenly uncoiling the
anterior part of the body, they dart obliquely upwards, but as they
are blinded, not always in the direction apparently aimed at, and they
frequently miss the aim.

Gen. Coluber, Linnc
Abdomen with scuta ; scutella under the tail.

Coluber fasciolatus, Shaw.

Syn.— Russel I. pi. 21 Nooni Paragoodoo.

Coluber hebe, Daudin (Synon. apud Boie, Wagler3 Schlegel).

" Cineritious grey with an obscure cast of reddish brown, particu-
larly about the head and neck. The back variegated by black and
white, or black and yellowish, narrow bands ; and on the sides are two
or three rows of short, separate oblique lines, formed by the yellow ov
white edges of the lateral scales ; but in general these bands are not
visible on the tail. The scuta (192) and scutella (62) are of a dusky
pearl-colour." (Russell I. Pg. 26J

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.

Coromandel Coast.
A young individual, killed in Province Wellesley corresponds to the
description of Russell, copied by Shaw and Daudin. It has two small
post-orbitals, one elongated pree-orbital, one minute irregularly hexago-
nal frenal, and on each side 8 upper, 9 lower labial shields. The
trunk is covered by 2 1 longitudinal series of smooth imbricate scales,
which are rhombic on the sides, rhomboidal above, all with rounded
points. The teeth are of uniform size, and as Russell correctly des-
cribes them, very small, reflex, sharp, numerous. The dentition,
therefore, sufficiently indicates that the species cannot be placed in the
Gen. Lycodon, to which it has been referred by M. M. II. Boie,
Wagler and Schlegel. The young one is of the following dimensions

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk , 8 j

Ditto ditto tail, • 2£

10 1 inch.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 73

Greatest circumference of the trunk, ■§ inch.

Scuta 201 ; Scutella 73.

Coluber radiatls, Schlegel.

Syn.— Russell II. PI. 42.

Coluber quadrifasciatus, Cantor, (Var )

Head and back light yellowish bay, paler on the sides ; the hind
head with a transversal black line, branching off along the exterior
margins of the occipitals ; a black oblique streak behind the eyes, and
another beneath them dividing both jaws. On each side of the back a
broad longitudinal black band, relieved at intervals by a short net-
work, produced by 3 or 4 scales of each series being edged with pale
brown, and the skin between them white. The bands, in some com-
mencing at a distance from the head, are continued or interrupted,
terminating on the posterior part of the back. Below them is on each
side a parallel black line ; lips, throat and lower surface yellow. Iris
bright gamboge with a concentric black ring. Tongue bluish black.

Young. Above of clearer colours ; beneath pearl- coloured.

Scuta 222 to 248 ; Scutella 82 to 94.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.

Java, Sumatra, Cochin China, Tenasserim, Assam.
This species is numerous in marshes, and paddy-fields, and often
becomes a tenant of out- houses, where during the day it remains con-
cealed, till nightfall favours its pursuit after rats. It is however
equally diurnal, preying upon smaller birds, lizards and frogs. Assam
produces a local variety distinguished by 18 instead of 17 longitudinal
series of scales, of which the 3 upper ones are all lineated, whereas
normally such is the case on those of the posterior part of the body.
It makes a vigorous defence, and in darting at an enemy is capable of
raising nearly the anterior two thirds of the body from the ground. In
a female were found 23 whitish, soft, cylindrical eggs, of which the
largest measured 1£ inch, in length. The largest individual observed
was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 4 3f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 lOf

5 ft. 3f inch.
Greatest circumference, 3| inch.

"4 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Habits and general appearance link the present species to Col.
dluunnades, Cantor,* and Col. mucosus, Linne (Col. blumenbachii,
Merrem,) but the latter as well as its variety with uniformly smooth
scales (Col. dhumna, Cantor : Spicil.) utter when irritated a peculiar
diminuendo sound, not unlike that produced by a gently struck tuning-
fork .

Coluber korros, lteinwardt.

Syn. — Coluber korros, Reinwardt, apucl Wagler, Selilegel.

Brownish green above, the scales of the posterior part of the trunk
and of the tail with black points and edges, producing a regular net-
work ; beneath yellowish white or pearl-coloured ; the lateral part of
the scuta light bluish-grey. Iris bright yellow with a bluish grey or
blackish concentric ring, tongue black.

Young.— Above with some indistinct transversal bands, produced by
two lateral white spots on some of the scales ; the posterior part o*
the trunk with dark longitudinal lines.

Scuta 162 to 190 ; Scutella 79 to 130.
Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.
Java, Sumatra, Arracan, Tenasserim.
It is numerous in the Malayan vallies. The largest individual
measured :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 6f

Ditto ditto tail, 1 4f

3 ft. 1 If inch.
Greatest circumference of the trunk 3 inches.

Its habits are similar to those of the last mentioned species, from
which it is easily distinguished by its 15 longitudinal series of smooth
rhomboidal scales with rounded points.

Coluber hexahonotus, N. S.

Head and back dark brown, changing to pale brownish buff on the
sides ; trunk with numerous, close, transversal black bands, each with

* Chusan.— It is covered by 14 to 16 Ion? it. series of rhomboidal scales, of which
those of the two uppermost series commence at a short distance from the head, exhibiting-
the central raised line.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 75

a few white spots on the lower parts, becoming indistinct towards the
posterior extremity of the trunk, from whence the colour is uniformly
dark brown ; labial shields yellow, edged with black ; beneath yellowish
white, scutella edged with brown. Iris gamboge with a black concen-
tric ring ; pupil round, tongue black ; central series of dorsal scales
hexagonal.

Scuta 191 j Scutella 148.

Habit. — Pinang.

The head is distinct, elongated, with the muzzle broad, truncated,
covered above with the normal number of shields, in form resembling
those of Col. korros. The eyes are large, prominent, with two pree-
orbitals, of which the superior is the larger, the inferior is wedged in
between the 3rd, 4th and oth upper labials. In addition to two post-
orbitals, there is an elongated crescent-shaped infra-orbital, resting on
the Gth and 7th upper labials. The latter are 8 on each side, of which
the 5th, broad hexagonal, borders the orbit j the following are elongated,
gradually increasing in size. The lower labials, 9 on each side, lie on
the chin in contact with two pairs of elongated shields. The nostrils
are rather large, orbicular, opening near the margin of the anterior
frontals. The frenal is small, obliquely situated between the surround-
ing shields. The temples are covered by two pairs of elongated sbields.
The gape is wide, the teeth minute, of equal length. Tbe trunk is
slender, much compressed with 1 7 longitudinal series of smooth, rhom-
bic, sub imbricate scales, of which the central series is hexagonal. The
abdomen narrow, arched. The tail is very slender elongated, tapering
to a sharp point.

A solitary individual, discovered by Sir William Norris on the Great
Hill of Pinang, was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 10

Ditto ditto tail, 4J-

1 ft. 3 J- inch.

Circumference of the neck f, of the trunk 1 inch., of the root of the
tail f . In fierceness it resembled the preceding species.

76 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

ARBORIAL.
Gen. Dipsas, Laurenti.
Head large, broad, depressed, cordate, covered with shields ; neck
narrow, trunk much narrower than the head, compressed, very long,
beneath covered with scuta ; tail cylindrical, imbricate.

Dipsas dendrophila, Reinwardt.

Syn. — Seheuchzer, 662, Fig. 11. (Col. variabilis, apud Merrern.)
Dipsas dendrophila, apud Wagler.

Dipsas dendrophila, Wagler, apud Horsfield : Life of Raffles.
Dipsas dendrophila, apud Schlegel.

Head, back and sides intense black with steel-blue, lilac, and green
reflections ; beneath pale black, iridescent ; body and tail with numer-
ous bright yellow transversal bands, widened below, sometimes joined
on the back or abdomen, occasionally reduced to irregular spots ;
throat and lips bright yellow, labials with black edges. Pupil ellipti-
cal, vertical; iris and tongue black.

Scuta 218 to 225, Scutella 100 to 112.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.
Java, Celebes.

It inhabits the Malayan hills and valleys, but apparently in no
great numbers. The largest individual measured :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1^ inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3 3\

Ditto ditto tail, 1 0

4 ft. 5f inch.

>»

Greatest circumference of the trunk, 4 inch.

Dipsas multimaculata, Schlegel.

Syn. — Scheuchzer, 657. Fig. 2.
Russell, II. PI. 23.
Dipsas multimaculata, Schlegel

Ground-colour, above light greenish grey, minutely spotted and
marbled with brown ; on the head an angular, backwards diverging
black mark with whitish edges ; a black oblique line from behind the
eyes to the hind head, where it joins a lozenge-shaped black spot with
whitish edges ; along the back and tail a series of large, irregularly
oval, black spots with whitish edges, arranged in close quincunx series ;

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 77

the sides with numerous, similarly coloured, oblique or arched, often
interrupted, bands ; labials greenish white, black-edged ; beneath green-
ish white, tinged with rose-colour, minutely spotted with brown, and
with a double or treble lateral series of irregular black spots. Iris
pale greenish golden, minutely dotted with black ; pupil elliptical,
vertical ; tongue whitish.

Scuta 202 to 23f>, Scutella 80 to 10G.

Habit. — Pinany, Malayan Peninsula.

Celebes, Java, Tenasserim, Bengal.
On the hills of Pinang this species appears to be more numerous
than the former. Tbe largest individual measured :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 lOf

Ditto ditto tail, 0 5|

2 ft. 4| inch.

Greatest circumference, If inch.

The central hexagonal scales are elongated, narrow on the anterior
part of the trunk, which is covered by 1 9 longitudinal series of smooth,
lanceolate, imbricate scales ; from thence commence 1 7 series of broad-
er scales.

Dipsas cynodon, Cuvier.
Syn. — Dipsas cynodon, apud Boie, Guerin, Scblegel.

Young. Ground-colour yellowish brown, head with a dark black-
edged arrow-shaped mark, and a black oblique streak from the eye to
the nape of the neck ; labials pearl-coloured, edged with black ; back
with numerous black transversal marks, shaped like two letters Y
placed horizontally towards each other or in quincunx, becoming in-
distinct towards the tail. Beneath pearl-coloured with a black spot
near the lateral part of the scuta ; scutella edged and minutely dotted
with brown.

Scuta 225, Scutella 92.

Advlt. Head and back uniformly greyish brown tinged with lilac,
with a number of distant large, transversal, purple, bands (the scales
edged with black), lozenge-shaped with triangular lateral appendages,
becoming indistinct towards the tail, which is alternately brownish buff

78 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

and purple with black-edged scales. Beneath pale yellow, scutella
minutely dotted and edged with brown. Iris pale golden, minutely
dotted with purple ; pupil elliptical vertical ; tongue whitish.
Scuta 275, Scutella 158.

Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Java, Tenasserim.
A young one was captured on the Great Hill of Pinang by W. T.
Lewis, Esq. An adult, killed in Province Wellesley, was of the follow-
ing dimensions.

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 4 Of

Ditto ditto tail, . 1 4

5 ft. 5-|- inch.

Circumference of the neck, If, of the trunk, 2f inch.

The young had 21, the adult 23 longitudinal series of smooth,
lanceolate, imbricate scales. The long maxillary and palatal teeth are
disproportionally less developed in the young than in the adult.

Dipsas boa, (II. Boie.) (See Plate, Fig 3.)

Syn. — Amblycephalus boa, H. Boie : Isis.
Dipsas boa, apud Schlegel.

Ground colour above : rose-coloured washed with brown, varying in
intensity and shade from light bay to umber, prevailing so as to make
the ground colour appear as minute spots, and with numerous irregular
black spots, confluent on the head ; cheeks and lips carnation, with a
vertical black streak from the middle of the orbit. Beneath carnation,
dotted with umber, sometimes assuming the shape of large irregular
spots. Iris : silvery rose-coloured, lower half dotted with black, pupil
elliptical, vertically contracted by the light ; tongue whitish.

Scuta abdominalia 164, Scuta subcaudalia 112; or 170-f-109.

Habit. — Pinang.
Java.

The head is depressed, elongated, conical, with the muzzle truncated ;
the rostral shield is very large, vertically placed ; the cheeks com-
pressed, but the lips very tumid below the eyes. Of the nine crown
shields the occipitals are distinguished by their reduced size, and

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 79

frequent sub-division in 2 linear iuter-occipitals, bordered by two large
polygonal post-occipitals, enclosing a smaller tbird, linear. Bebind
the latter appears on each side a small hard tubercle, covered like the
rest of the hind head with minute polygonal scales. Each temple is
protected by 5 to 6 large shields, and as many smaller resting upon
the labials. The nasal is large, pyramidal with the rounded nostril in
the centre, and the apex wedged in between the 3 frenals, placed
cblkjuely or vertically one above the other. The eye is large, promi-
nent, encircled by the supra-orbital and 7 smaller shields, so that none
of the upper labials reach the orbit. The lips are arched, and outwardly
appear to reach to the hind head, but the commissure, or the angle of
the mouth is situated immediately talow the eye, which greatly reduces
the opening of the mouth. Of the 9 pairs of upper labials the anterior
6 are narrow, but very deep and bulging; the posterior 3 are broader,
elongated ; the inferior labials, 1 1 pairs, are as well as the rostral,
greatly reduced by the 3 pairs of very large mentals. The front view
of the head grotesquely resembles that of a mastiff. All the teeth are
strong, but the front tooth on each side of the lower jaw is longer than
the rest ; the palatal rows are very close together, and converging.
The trunk is much compressed, covered by 13 longitudinal series of
scales, of which the dorsal row is composed of very large hexagonal
ones, each with a strong keel ; the rest are smooth, rhombic, imbricate.
The abdomen is very narrow, and the sides of the scuta are bent
upwards. The tail is elongated, slender, tapering, and much less
compressed than the trunk. Of two individuals from the hills of
Pinang, the larger, a male, was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 11

Ditto ditto tail, 0 1 1|

2 ft. Hi inch.

Circumference of the neck 1 inch, of the trunk If, of the root of the
tail \ inch. In a female were observed 4 cylindrical, whitish eggs,
each £ inch in length. The stomach contained a few remains of
insects.

This species is closely allied to Dipsas carinata, Schlegel, {Ambly-
cephalus, Kuhl ; Pareas, Wagler,) in which also the dorsal series of

80 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

scales are keeled. M. Schlegel's short description and figure (PI. XI,
29, 30) appear to have been taken from an immature specimen.

The preceding four species are very fierce, their mode of attack is
that of Lyeodon aulicus. Kuhl has observed vibrating movements in
the tail of Dipsas multimaculata, which however are also exhibited by
Dipsas trigonata (Schneider), {Col. catenularies, Daudin,) — D. cy-
nodon, Cuvier, and among the venomous serpents, by Yipera russelli,
(Shaw) and several Asiatic species of Trigonocephalus, when they are
irritated and preparing to bite.

Gen. Herpetodryas, H. Boie.

Head trigonal, very long, depressed, smooth, rather sharp ; trunk

and tail very elongated ; scales, particularly those of the tail, large ;

those of the back partially carinate ; in other respects resembling

Coluber.

Herpetodryas oxycephalic, (Reinwardt.)

Syn. — Coluber oxycephalic, Reinwardt.
Gonyosoma viride, Wagler.

Herpetodryas oxycephalic, apud Schlegel.

Head above shining dark-green with a blackish straight line from
the nostrils to the angle of the mouth ; lips and throat pale yellowish
green ; trunk sea-green changing to light yellowish green on the lower
part of the sides, all the scales with black edges ; the anterior half of
the tail, separated from the trunk by a transversal orange band, cchre,
gradually changing to greyish brown on the posterior half, all the
scales edged with black. Abdominal scuta light yellowish green with
pale yellow edges ; subcaudal scutella grey with black margins. Eyes
moderate, little prominent jjiis-pale sea-green with a narrow pale yellow
inner ring and a transversal black band; pupil circular, black. Tongue
ultramarine, divided in the middle by a black longitudinal line. The
exposed part of the larynx black.

Scuta 268, Scutella 149.

Habit. — Pinang.

Java, Celebes.
The shields of the head are elongated, most so the linear frenal.
The teeth are numerous; in each row the anterior six or eight are

Malayan Peninsula and Inlands. 81

longer than the rest, which gradually decrease. The scales of the
trunk, in 25 longitudinal series, are rhombic with rounded points,
imbricate, and all smooth except those covering the spinous processes,
which are faintly lineated.

Of two individuals from the hills of Pinang, the larger, taken by Sir
William Norris, was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3 4

Ditto ditto tail, 1 1

4 ft. Gf inch.

Circumference of the neck 2, of the trunk 3, of the root of the tail
If inch. The ferocious habits of this serpent have been accurately
described by M. Reinwardt. It has in a remarkable degree the power
of laterally compressing the neck and the anterior part of the
body, when the greyish blue skin becomes visible between the
separated scales. In such state of excitement it raises nearly the
anterior third vertically from the ground, continues fixed during
several seconds with vibrating tongue, and bites. It then throws itself
down, to rise to a renewed attack. A similar mode of attack cha-
racterises the following species, viz : Dryinus nasutus, (Lacepede,)
(Russell, I. PI. 12 and 13,),— D. prasinus, (Reinwardt.) (Vryiophis
prasina apud Schlegel,) Lcptophis pictus (Gmelin), and Leptophis
caudalineatus.

Gen. Dryinus,* Merrem, 1820.

Upper jaw much longer than the lower ; muzzle attenuated, more or
less acute at the apex, which in some species is mucronate and move-
able.

Dryinus prasinus, (Reinwardt.)

Syn.— Seba, II, Tab. LIII, Fig. 4.

Coluber nasutus,f Shaw, apud Russell, II, PI. 24.
Dryinus nasutus, Bell, (uot Menem, 1820.)

* In H. Boie's Genera, published in his, 1827, Dryophis, (Dahlman,) is substituted
for this genus. Waglerin 1830 separated some species under the denomination of 77a-
gnps, and M. Sehlegel in his " Essny" has exclusively retained Dryiophis, although
Prof. Thos. Bell already in 1825 had published his article on Leptophlna ( comprising'
Dryinus, Merrem, and Leptophis, Bell.)

t The specific name was previously applied by Lacepede in 1730 to the other Asiatic
species.

82 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Drvophis prasinus, Reinwardt.

Tragops, Wagler.

Dryinus nasutus, Bell, apud Horsfield : Life of Raffles.

Passerita, Gray.

Dryiphis prasina, apud Schlegel.

" Ular daun" of the Malays.

Leek-green above, with some irregular white and black oblique lines,
paler on the cheeks and upper lips ; tail cinnamon ; under lips and
throat white, scuta and scutella light green or mother-of-pearl, on each
side with a white or pale yellow longitudinal line, below which in some
a second, green, line. Pupil black, elougated-pyriform, with the apex
turned forwards, horizontally contracted by the light. Iris pale bur-
nished golden, bright on the pupillary margin, the upper half of which
forms a little behind its middle a small pointed lobe. Tongue bluish
white.

Scuta 186 to 228, Scutella 140 to 203.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Celebes, Java, Cochin-China, Siam, Burmah, Tenasserim,
Arracan, Bengal, Assam.

Var. A.
Syn. — Dryiophis xanthozonius, Kuhl?

Head less elongated and the rostral shield unusually small ; upper
lips in some white ; besides the yellow and green lateral line, a central
green ; scuta and scutella in some with brown edges.

Habit. — Same localities.

Var. B.

Head above light brownish grey, tinged with sky-blue and rose-
colour cheeks and lips pale rose ; trunk light brownish ash, changing
to pale rust colour on the tail ; whitish grey on the sides ; beneath
buff, with a white longitudinal line on each side. Iris burnished
silver, tongue white.
Habit. — Pinang Hills.

Var. C.

Upper parts saffron yellow, paler on the sides ; beneath sulphur-
coloured, with a lateral white line. Pupil deep burnished golden ;
tongue white.
Habit. — Pinang Hills.

This species is exceedingly numerous in the Malayan forests, both

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. S3

m the hills and valleys, preying upon small birds, arborial lizards,
frogs, and in early age upon insects. It may readily be distinguished
from Dryinus nasutns, (Lacep.) (Merrem, not Bell ; — Russell, I. PI.
12, 13) by two, sometimes 3 frenals on each side. The trunk is
covered by 15 longitudinal series of smooth rhomboidal scales with
rounded points, imbricate so as to appear linear ; those of the tail are
all broad rhombic. The anterior upper maxillary teeth gradually in-
crease towards the sixth, which is the longest, and enclosed in a point-
ed fold of gingiva. The following teeth, commencing at a short
interval, are short, but the last is very long with a furrow on the con-
vex edge. The inferior maxillary teeth also increase in length towards
the sixth, the longest, and are protected by a broad triangular scab-
bard, containing several additional loose teeth ; the rest are uniformly
small, commencing at a short interval from the sixth. The palatal
are uniformly very short. The largest individual of a great number

measured :

Length of the head, Oft. 2 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 4 3|

Ditto ditto tail, 2 6f

7 it. 0^ inch.
Circumference of the neck \\, of the trunk 2f, of the root of the

tail 1 inch.

The Varieties, of which B. and C. were from the hills of Pinang, are
not numerous, and of a comparatively small size. The very young
ones are as gentle as those of a more advanced age are ferocious.
Their power of expanding the anterior part of the body and their
mode of attack, have been noted under Herpetodryas oxycephaly,*.
Gen. Leptophis, Bell, 1825.

Rostrum obtuse, and the upper jaw projects but very slightly beyond

the lower.

Leptophis pictus, (Gmelin.)

Syn. — Coluber pictus, Gmelin.
Coluber decorus, Shaw.
Russell, II. PI. 26, Cumberi muken.
Bungarus filurn, Oppel. 0

Dipsas schokari, Kuhl, (not Forskal.J
Dendrophia chairecacos, H. Boie.
Denclrophis, Wagler.
Dendrophis picta, Schlegel.

84 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

He?d and body above bronze with strong golden reflections ; skin
beween the scales of the anterior part of the body alternately ultrama-
rine and black. Lips, throat, the two lowest lateral rows of scales,
and the abdominal surface silvery mother-of-pearl. From the muzzle
to the root of the tail a black hue, bordering above the silvery sides,
which below are circumscribed by a second black line, commencing a
little behind the head. Iris bright golden with a transversal black
line ; pupil black, circular ; tongue scarlet.

Scuta 167 to 187, Scutella 109 to 149.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Manilla, New Ireland, "Waigiou, Amboina, New Guinea, Pulo
Samao, Java, Sumatra, Coch in-China, Tenasserim, Bur-
mah, Bengal, Assam, Coromandel.

Var. A.*

Syn. — Coluber filiformis, Linne', (young.)

Fil, Double Raie, Lacepede, (young.)
Russell, II. PI. 25, Mancas, Rooka, Maniar.
Coluber bilineatus, Shaw.
Leptophis maucas, Bell.
Dendrophis maniar, Boie.
Ahoetula bellii, Gray. 111. Ind. Zool.
Dendrophis lateralis, Gray : 111. Ind. Zool.
Chrysopelea boii, Smith.
Dendrophis picta, Var. Schlegel.
Dendrophis boii, apud Cantor.

Above dull brownish black, with a light brown dorsal line ; the two
lowest series of scales pale greenish white, forming a lateral band,
bordered above by a black line, commencing from the muzzle, more or
less distinct, in some irregularly broken up on the anterior part of the
body. A second faint black line below. Iris golden, in some dotted
with black ; tongue black.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.

Bengal, Assam, Ceylon.
The species occurs numerously in the Malayan hills and valleys, but
the contrary appears to be the case with the plain Variety, which in
Bengal is equally common. The following must be added to the de-
scription of M. Schlegel. The frenal shield is small, rectangular ;

* The Variety, Col. polychrous, Reinwardt, appears to inhabit neither the Malayan
Peninsula nor Bengal.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 85

superior labials 9, inferior 10 or 11 ; one prse-orbital, two, in some
three small post-orbitals. The trunk is covered by 15 longitudinal
series of smooth, imbricate scales ; the central dorsal series is wedge-
shaped, in some almost hexagonal, the next six are linear, but the
lowest, as well as all the scales of the tail, are broad rhombic with
rounded points. In a female were found seven coriaceous, whitish
eggs of an elongated cylindrical shape, each If inch in length. In
habits and mode of attack this species resembles Dryinus prasinus,
but it is not exclusively arborial. Probably no instance affords a more
striking difference in colours, between species and variety than the
present : the former with dazzling brilliant livery ; the latter in its
plain, dull colours. Both attain to similar size : the largest male
examined was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1^ inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 6

Ditto ditto tail, 1 1

3 ft. 8^ inch.
Circumference of the neck, If, of the trunk, 2, of the root of the
tail, 1 inch. This serpent appears to possess uncommonly acute
hearing, and turns its head in the direction of the sound.

Leptophis caudalineatus, N. S.

Syn. — Ahpctula caudolineata, Gray : Illust, Ind. Zool.
Dendrophis ornata, Var, Schlegel.

Head, trunk, and tail above light brownish bronze, the scales with
black edges ; on the posterior half of the trunk four parallel black
lines, terminating at the root of the tail, from whence commences a
single central black line ; sides metallic mother-of-pearl, from a short
distance behind the head bordered by two parallel black lines of which
the lower, the broader, covers the lower half of the last series of scales
and the lateral part of the scuta ; both the lines continue to the apex
of the tail. Lips, throat and abdominal surface pale metallic citrine ;
the tail beneath with a black central line. Iris golden, dotted with
brown ; pupil round ; tongue bluish white, the forked part black.

Young. Upper parts of the body Indian red, with metallic reflec-
tions.

Scuta 183 to 188, Scutella 105 to 110.

86 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore.

The head large, less depressed than in the preceding species, the
muzzle broad, blunt ; cheeks tumid ; all the shields of the crown are
short and broad, except the vertical which is laterally arched, and very
narrow behind. There is a single elongated post-occipital, and the rest
of the hind head is covered with broad hexagonal shields. Each temple
is covered by two pairs of large shields, in front of which a pair of very
minute ones, bordering upon the equally small post-orbitals. The eye
is large, prominent ; the prse-orbital and the linear frenal proportionally
small ; the nostrils large, opening in the middle of the nasal ; the
rostral broad, slightly arched beneath. The labials, 9 on each side of
both jaws, resemble those of the preceding species. The mouth is
large ; the maxillary teeth strong, distant. In the lower jaw the
anterior ones gradually increase in length till the fourth, which appears
like a canine, the rest as well as the palatal teeth are all smaller, of
uniform length. The chin is covered by the second pair of labials and
two pairs of mentals, of which the posterior pair is elongated. The
trunk is strong, less compressed than in the preceding species, with
13 series of smooth imbricate scales, of which the two lowest series
are large rhombic with rounded points, the next four elongated rhom-
boidal (linear), and the odd central dorsal rhomboidal, not larger than
the rest. The tail is covered with broad hexagonal, not imbricate,
scales. The abdomen is narrow, flattened ; the centre part of the scuta
with strongly arched margins ; the sides turned upwards and forming
a continued sharp lateral ridge. The tail is slender, tapering ; its ver-
tical section nearly square.

Of this species but two individuals were observed : a young one at
Singapore, an adult on the Great Hill of Pinang. The latter measured :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3 51-

Ditto ditto tail, 1 2

4 ft. 9 inch.

Circumference of the neck, 2, of the trunk 3f, of the root of the
tail, !■§- inch.

In its mixed arborial and terrestrial habits and in fierceness it re-

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 87

sembles L. pictus, but its power of compressing and expanding the
forepart of the body is somewhat limited.

This species appears somewhat to approach to Leptophis formosus,
(Dendrophis formosa, Schlegel,) but besides other distinguishing cha-
racters, it differs from that, and all other Asiatic species in having but
13 series of scales. The indifferent figure of Ahcetula caudolineata
in Illustrations of Indian Zoology, which appears to be all which has
been published concerning this species, has led M. Schlegel to suppose
it was intended to represent a Variety of Leptophis pictus, although the
black outline of the head is correct.

Leptophis ornatiis, (Shaw.)

Syn. — Scheuchzer, T. 606.

Seba, I. T. 94, Fig. 7--H. T. 7, Fig. 1 ; T. 61, Fig. 2.

Russell, II. PI. 2, Kalla Jin.

Coluber ornatus, Shaw.

Coluber ibiboboca, Daudin.

Coluber ornatus, Merrem, apml Horsfield : Life of Raffles.

Chrysopelea paradisi, II. Boie.

Dendrophis ornata, Schlegel.

Habit. — Bengal, Ceylon.

Var.

Syn.— Ular Chindi, Raffles.

Dendrophis chrysochloros, Rcinwardt, (young.)

Head above intense velvety black, with three or four distant trans-
versal bands, and numerous irregular spots of gamboge or sulphur
colour ; all the scales with an oval gamboge spot ; from the hind head
to the point of the tail a number of large rounded vermilion spots ;
lips, throat and abdominal surface greenish-gamboge, scuta and scutel-
la with black margins. Iris and tongue black.

Scuta 198 to 236- Scutella 113 to 1 17.

Young. Head, trunk and tail above greenish olive, with a scries of
transversal black bands in pairs ; the intervals between the bands ver-
milion ; the sides with numerous distant, irregular, small black spots ;
lateral part of the scuta and scutella white, the ridge and the anterior
margin black ; the centre part pale greenish yellow ; scutella partially
edged with black, and with a central light blue line. Tongue vermi-
lion, the forked part black.
Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Java, Sumatra, Tenasserim, Arraean.

88 Cutulogve of Reptiles inhabiting the

The Variety, in which the black colour prevails, appears to be con-
fined to the more southern countries, while that with yellow ground
colour preponderating, the one described and figured by Russell, oc-
curs in Bengal. The latter has the tongue alternately vermilion and
black. Individuals without the frenal shield are not uncommon, and
such was the one described by H. Boie as a distinct species (Chrysope-
lea paradisi.) It inhabits the Malayan hills and valleys, but is there
apparently less numerous than in Bengal. The largest male observed
was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. \\ inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 7-f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 1 1 f

3 ft. 8f inch.

Circumference of the neck, 1-1-, of the trunk, 1|, of the root of the
tail, •*• inch.

The trunk is covered by 17 longitudinal series of smooth, imbricate
rhomboidal scales, with rounded points. It is but seldom seen in trees ;
it is more frecpiently found on the ground in the grass, watching for its
prey : lizards (Geckonidce,*) and frogs. The female has 6 to 8 white,
elongated cylindrical eggs, about If inch in length. It differs from the
otber species in its being deprived of the power of compressing, and
expanding the anterior part of the body, and in its gentleness. The
young ones never attempt to bite, the adult but seldom, and without
raising vertically the anterior part of the body. In the latter the four
anterior teeth of the lower jaw are a little longer than the rest, which
are uniformly small.

AQUATIC.

Gen. Tropidonotus, Kuhl.

Head oblong ovate, rather indistinct, depressed; nostrils between
the sutures of two shields ; eyes moderate, with circular pupil, scales
of the back lanceolate ovate, keeled, imbricate ; trunk elongated, cylin-
drical, tail moderately long, tapering.

* Vide Ptychoznon homalocepkalwn, supra.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 89

Tropidonotus umbratus, (Daudin,) Var.
Syn. — Tropidonotus trianguligerus, Schlegel.

Above shining brownish, or yellowish green olive ; lips gamboge
with a black oblique line between the sixth and seventh labials, a se-
cond from the orbit to the angle of the mouth ; a third from the under
lip to the upper part of the neck ; trunk and tail with numerous
black spots, in some very minute, irregular, in others larger, approach-
ing to quincunx order ; the sides with numbers of large square or
triangular scarlet spots, separated from each other by broader or nar-
rower black vertical bands. Scuta and Scutella gamboge with black
margins, the latter with a black central line. Iris black with a narrow
golden circle ; tongue black.

Scuta 121 to 130, Scutella 7G to 84.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.
Java, Bengal.

The vertical and supra-orbital shields'are of an elongated narrow form ;
the anterior frontals triangular, longer than broad ; the nostrils small,
placed high on the sides, the frenal is elongated pentagonal, with the
largest margin touching the prse-orbital. Of the three post-orbitals the
lowest is the longest, wedged in between the fifth, sixth, and seventh
upper labials, of which the fifth is the only one which reaches the
orbit; the eye is moderate, prominent ; the upper labials are 9, the
lower 1 1 on each side. The mouth is very large, the teeth small,
crowded, except the two last of the upper jaw, which are longer than
the rest. The trunk is slightly compressed, covered by 19 longitudinal
series of scales, of which the two lowest are broad rhombic, the rest
elongated rhomboidal with rounded points, those of the back lineated.
The abdomen is broad arched. This Variety differs in nothing but
colours from Tropidonotus umbratus,* (Daudin), and to judge by the
description of M. Schlegel, it appears to be identical with T. triangu-
ligerus. In the Malayan valleys the Variety is very numerous ; in
Bengal it is less so, but there the species abounds in and near fresh
water, where it preys upon fishes and frogs. The Variety attains to a

* Syn. Russell, II. PI. 3. Dooblee, young. — PI. 5. Dora, adult. — Col. umbratus,
I >Mu»lin. — Col. dora, Dautl. — Col. brunneus, Herman. — Col. atratus, Herrm, — Col.
lugubris, Merrem. — Tropidonotus umbratus, Schlegel.— Tropidonotus dora, apud Cantor.

90 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

size similar to that of the species, both of which are equally fierce.
The largest individual was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, ] Qi.

Ditto ditto tail, 0 9f

2 ft. 8f inch.
Circumference of the neck, 2, of the trunk, 2|, of the root of the
tail, If inch.

Tropidonotus stolatus, (Linne.)

Syn.— Seba, II, Tab. 9, Fig. 1, 2.

Coluber stolatus, Linne. .

Le Chayque, Daubenton, Lacepede.

Russell, I, PL 10, 11, 19.

La vipere chayque, Latreille.

Coluber stolatus, Lin., apud Shaw, Daudin.

Coluber taeniolatus, Daudin.

Natrix stolatus, Merreni.

Tropidonotus stolatus, Gray, Schlegel.

Head shining brownish olive with several black spots in the sutures
of the shields : lips gamboge with several black oblique streaks ; head
and trunk brownish olive with numerous distant black transversal
bands, becoming indistinct towards the tail, and intersected by two
parallel bands of a pale ochre or buff, the scales of which on the anterior
part of the body edged with black. Beneath gamboge or mother-of-
pearl ; in some the scuta with a small lateral black spot, or edged
with black. Iris black with a narrow golden ring ; tongue black.

Scuta 143 to 156, Scutella 69 to 79.

Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Philippines, Tenasserim, Bengal, Assam, Nipal, Coromandel,

Ceylon, Bombay.
This species, so exceedingly numerous in Bengal, is but rarely seen
in the Malayan valleys. It is of very gentle habits, and feeds upon
young frogs and toads. The largest male observed was of the following
dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 4f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 5f

1 ft. 10| inch.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 91

Circumference of the neck, |-, of the trunk, If, of the root of the
tail, f inch.

The female has G small cylindrical white eggs, each about half an
inch in length.

Tropidonotus schistosus, (Daudin.)

Syn.— Russell II. PI. 4. Chittee.
Coluber schistosus, Daudiu.
Tropidonotus schistosus, Schlegel.
Tropidonotus rhoestus, Cantor.

Above blackish olive, some with an indistinct blackish line from be-
hind the eye along the side ; the lips, the two lowest series of scales on
each side, and the abdominal surface whitish yellow. Iris black with
a narrow golden ring ; tongue small, flesh coloured.

Scuta 138, Scutella 77.

Var.

Syn. — Tropidonotus surgens, Cantor.

Above bright greenish olive, with a black serrated lateral line.
Scuta 148, Scutella 23.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.

Philippines, Tenassarim, Bengal, Madagascar.
The shields of the head are short ; there is but a single anterior
frontal, of a triangular shape, truncated in front ; the front als are small
pentagonal; the nasals nearly equal to the latter; the small semicircu-
lar nostrils almost vertical and appearing linear as they are provided
with a valvule as in Homalopsis ; from the lower part of the nostril a
minute arched groove descends to the inferior margin of the shield ;
the frenal is small ; the prae-orbital in length nearly ecpials the three
postorbitals. The scales of the trunk are disposed in 1 7 longitudinal
series, of which the two lowest on each side are hexagonal, each scale
with a minute round protuberance near the apex ; the scales of the
next two series present a raised line terminating in a protuberance,
but the remaining scales are elongated rhomboidal with truncated,
slightly notched points, keeled, imbricate. These marks become in-
distinct when the integuments are about to be changed, which proba-
bly caused them to escape the notice of Russell. This species is
not numerous in Bengal, and apparently less so on the Malayan Penin-
sula. The largest individual measured,

92 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 Of

Ditto ditto tail, 0 2£

2 ft. 4 inch.

Circumference of the neck : If-, of the trunk: 2f, of the tail If in.

The length of the tail is very variable : in some it is contained 3|, in
other 6 times in the entire length. This species is very fierce, and
prepares to attack by raising the head 3 or 4 inches vertically from the
ground, and it has the power of flattening and laterally expanding the
skin of the anterior part of the body, like Naja, but in a much slighter
degree. It bites uttering a faint hissing sound. Frogs and fishes
form its food.

Tropidonotus cerasogaster.
Syn. — Psammophis cerasogaster, Cantor.

Above yellowish brown with pale golden reflections ; lighter on the
sides, the scales of which in some partially edged with yellow ; cheeks,
lips, throat and abdominal surface cherry-coloured, with a bright yel-
low lateral line from the muzzle to the point of the tail. Iris and
tongue cherry-coloured.

Scuta 144 to 149, Scutella 60 to 69.
Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.
Bengal, Assam.

The head is elongated, depressed ; sides angular, compressed ; muz-
zle truncated ; rostral broad, hexagonal, nearly vertical, arched below ;
the anterior frontals the smallest, next to them the frontals ; the rest
of the crown-shields are narrow, elongated ; each occipital bordered by
two pairs of elongated temporals, below which three smaller. Nasals
rectangular, placed at a right angle with the anterior frontals ; nostrils
moderate, lateral ; the frenal smaller than the nasal ; prse-orbital longer
than either ; the eye moderate, prominent. Besides three post-orbitals,
there is a minute infra-orbital wedged in between the fifth and sixth
upper labials, of which but a small portion of the sixth touches the
orbit below. The lips are straight, turned up near their commissure,
covered with 8 or 9 pair of upper, 10 lower shields. The mouth is
large ; the teeth small, crowded, of equal length. The trunk is cylindri-
cal, compressed, covered with 1 9 longitudinal series of imbricate, elon-

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 93

gated rliomboidal scales with rounded, slightly notched points, keeled
except the two lowest series on each side, which are larger than the
rest, rhombic, smooth. The abdomen is broad, arched ; the tail robust
at the root, cylindrical, tapering to a sharp point. A solitary indivi-
dual from Province Wellesley was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 5|-

Ditto ditto tail, 0 6|

2 ft. 04- inch.

'8

Circumference of the neck, l, of the trunk, If, of the root of the
tail, | inch.

In Bengal this species is not numerous. It is very fierce, attacks in
a vertical attitude, but without expanding the anterior part of the body.
Its food is that of the preceding. The elongated angular head makes
this species resemble a Psammophis.

Tropidonotus juncetjs, N. S.

Head above shining light brown, lips and throat gamboge ; from the
angle of the mouth an oblique gamboge band, both joining under a
sharp angle on the neck ; trunk and tail dull greyish olive, with a
series of distant rounded whitish spots on each side ; each scutum and
scutellum with a small black spot on the sides, which as well as their
anterior margins are minutely dotted with brown. Iris black with a
golden ring ; tongue small, greyish.

Scuta 157, Scutella 88.

Habit. — Vmang.

The head is elongated ovate, with the sides angular, compressed ;
the muzzle truncated ; the rostral shield moderate, square, deeply
arched beneath, vertically fixed ; the anterior frontals small, tetrago-
nal ; the frontals larger, angularly bent over the side, where they border
the small square frenal ; the other crown shields are rather small, the
occipitals on each side bordered by small elongated shields, like the
rest of the temples ; the eyes large, prominent ; pree-orbital one ; post-
orbitals three ; nasal rectangular ; nostrils lateral, large, rounded ;
upper labials 9, of which the fourth, fifth and sixth border the orbit ;
lower labials 1 1 ; mentals two pairs, elongated. The lips are slightly
arched, the mouth wide ; the teeth small, crowded ; the last upper

94 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

maxillary tooth longer than the rest. The trunk is very slender, cylin-
drical, with the centre of the back raised, forming a sharp ridge, the
sides bulging near the abdomen, which is arched. The scales are im-
bricate, very elongated rhomboidal with the apex notched, except
the two lowest series on each side, which are broad rhombic ; they are
all sharply keeled, and disposed on the anterior part of the trunk in
1 9, on the middle part in 1 7 longitudinal series. The tail elongated,
cylindrical, very slender, tapering to a fine point. A single individual
observed on the Great Hill of Pinang by W. T. Lewis, Esq. was of the
following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 7

Ditto ditto tail, 0 7#

2 ft. 3| inch.

Circumference of the neck, |, of the trunk, \\, of the root of the
tail, | inch.

Like most of the Asiatic species of this genus, the present is of fierce
habits. It twice unprovokedly bit a wood cutter who happened to
pass it. The bite, of course, was productive of no consequences except
a slight momentary pain. The very slender make and the elongated
tail are characters which approach this species to the arborial Colu-
bridce.

Gen. Homalopsis, apud Schtegel.

(Erpeton,L&cepbde, 1803. — Rhinopirus, Merrem, 1820. — Pseuderyx,
Fitzinger, 1826. — Homalopsis, Kuhl, 182/. — Cerberus, Cuvier, 1829.—
Hypsirhina, Wagler, 1830. — Hydrops, Wagler, 1830. — Helicops, Wag-
ler, 1830. — Potamophis, Cantor, 1836.)

Homalojms, Kuhl. Nostrils opening vertically in the centre of the
small nasals, with a valvule ; crown shields small ; dorsal scales imbri-
cate, keeled ; chin with many small shields, throat scaly ; labials nar-
row ; abdomen with scuta ; tail short, tapering to a sharp point ; be-
neath with scutella.

Homalopsts rhinchops, (Schneider.)

Syn.— Seba, II. T. 15. F. 3.

Hydrus rhinchops, Schneider.
Russell, I. PI. 1/. Karoo Bokadam.
Russell, II. PI. 40, (young.)
Boa moluroides, Schneider.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 05

Elaps boaeformis, Schneider.
Enhydrus rhynchops, Latreille.
Hydrus cinereus, Shaw.
Hurria schneideriana, Daudin.
Coluber schneiderianus, Daudm.
Coluber cerberus, Daudin.
Python rhynchops, Merrem.
Python elapiformis, Merrem.
Python molurus, Merrem.
Coluber obtusatus, Reinwardt.
Cerberus (Homalopsis obtusatus), Cuvier.
Homalopsis schneiderii, Schlegel.
Cerberus cinereus, Cantor.

Young. Ash-coloured above, the head with black irregular spots
and a short black line behind the eyes ; trunk and tail with numerous
distant black transversal bands ; lips and throat white, dotted with
black ; the three or four lowest series of lateral scales white ; beneath
white" with a black undulating band, frequently interrupted.

Adult. — Ash, lead-coloured or blackish grey with the black marks
indistinct or invisible. Iris black ; pupil elliptical, vertically contracted
by the light ; tongue very small, pale greyish.

Scuta 143 to 156, Scutella 49 to 72.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

New Guinea, Amboina, Timor, Sarapua, Java, Sumatra,
Tenasserim, Bengal, Coromandel.
The shields of the upper part of the head, which appear to be of a
constant form, are the nasals, the frontals, which enclose the small
pair of triangular anterior frontals, (sometimes soldered together,) and
the supra-orbitals. The rest are broken up in small, irregular, smooth
pieces, differing in outline in each individual. The small eye, placed
in a partly vertical, partly lateral position, is surrounded by a prae-orbital
a post-orbital and two or three infra-orbitals. The frenal is comparatively,
large, irregularly tetragonal. The anterior seven upper labials are
narrow, very high ; the posterior five or six each divided in two. A
similar arrangement is observed in the inferior 1 3 or 1 4 of which the
posterior 6 or 7 are very small. On the chin there is a pair of elongated
shields immediately behind the 2 pair of labials. The posterior upper
maxillary tooth is longer than the rest, and furrowed. The three
anterior teeth in the lower jaw are longer than the rest. The trunk
is covered with imbricate, finely lineated and keeled scales, of a rhom-

96 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

boidal form with rounded points, disposed on the anterior part in 25,
on the posterior part in 17, longitudinal series. The tail is robust,
tapering, and prehensile. In the Malayan countries this species occurs
in numbers in rivers, estuaries, and occasionally along the sea coasts.
It feeds upon fishes. Single individuals measuring between 3 and 4
feet in length, are of very rare occurrence. Of a great number the
largest was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 3

Ditto ditto tail, 0 7

2 ft. 1 If inch.
Circumference of the neck, 1|, of the trunk, 3f, of the root of tbe
tail, If inch. It is of peaceful habits ; the female brings forth 8 living
young, each of which measures from 7 to 7^ inches in length.

Homalopsis buccata, (Linne.)

Syn. — Scheuchzer, PI. 660, Fig. 1, (young.)

Seba, II. Tab. 12. F. 1 ;— T. 13, F. 1 ;— T. 21, F. 3, (young.)

Coluber buccatus, Linne,

Coluber monilis, Linne.

Coluber subalbidus, Boddaert, apud Gmelin.

Le Demicollier, Lacepede.

Vipernkopfige Natter, Merrem.

Coluber buccatus, apud Shaw.

Russell, II, PI. 33, (young.)

Coluber viperinus, Shaw.

Coluber buccatus, Daudin.

Coluber horridus, Daudin.

Echidna semifasciata, Merrem.

Homalopsis buccata, Schlegel.

Young. Ground colour, white or buff, becoming brownish on the
crown shields, hindhead and lips ; on the muzzle an angular mark,
with the apex between the frontals, Van Dyke brown or chestnut ; an
oblique streak proceeds from the eye over the cheek, joining a broad cer-
vical band, which, sending a narrow straight line to tbe occipitals, gives
the upper part of the head a heart-shaped outline ; the back and tail with
numerous broad transversal brown bands, between which the ground
colour appears in the shape of white, often interrupted, narrower bands,
and of a white spot in the centre and on each side of the brown bands.
The latter reacb but as far as the lowest four or five series of scales on
the sides, which as well as the throat and abdomen are white ; on each

Malayan Peninsula and Islands, 97

side of every third or fourth scutum a brown spot; scutella black, or
white, closely spotted with black.

Adult. The livery of the young indistinct : the ground colour of
the upper parts pale greyish brown or olive ; the bands of a darker
shade of the same colour, edged with black ; sides and beneath impure
buff, the brown marks pale. Pupil black, elliptical, vertically closed
by the light ; tongue small whitish.

Scuta 155 to 167, Scutella 73 to 89.

Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsirfa.
Java.

From the small, nearly vertically opening nostrils, proceeds a furrow
downwards to the lower margin of the nasal. The anterior frontal is
either entire and of a large rhombic shape, or consisting of two triangu-
lar shields ; the frenal is elongated, rectangular, the small eye is situated
more laterally than in the preceding species, and surrounded by two
post-orbitals, one p roe-orbital, and two infra-orbitals. The seven anterior
upper labials are very high, the posterior five are double ; of sixteen
or seventeen lower labials, the nine anterior are the highest. The last
tooth in the upper jaw is furrowed, and as well as the 3 or 4 anterior
palatal and inferior maxillary teeth, longer than the rest. The folds
of gingiva enveloping the teeth are very ample, and contain in addition
to the fixed, numerous, 5 to 6 deep, accessory teeth. The chin is
covered by four pairs of elongated scales, decreasing in length from the
centre towards the labials. The scales of the trunk are rhombic,
imbricate, slightly keeled and finely lineatcd, disposed on- the anterior
part in 39, on the posterior in 25 longitudinal series. The tail is
robust, tapering and somewhat prehensile. The largest individual ob-
served was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 i inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, I II

Ditto ditto tail, 0 7

2 ft. 7\ inch.

Circumference of the neck, 2, of the trunk, 3f, of the root of the
tail, 1|- inch.

In the valleys of Pinang and on the opposite continent, this
species is numerous in streamlets, tanks and in the irrigated fields,

98 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

where it feeds on fishes. The young ones are very gentle, and
the old but seldom bite. In their movements they are sluggish, and
on dry land very awkward. The female brings forth six or eight living
young at the time, each between 7 and 8 inches in length.

Hypsirhina, Wagler. Resembling Homalopsis in the form and
situation of the nostrils, the integuments and general appearance of the
head, trunk, and tail ; but the dorsal scales are smooth, and the labials
are square, equal ; (frenal, one.)

Homalopsis sieboldi, Schelgel.

Syn.— Seba, II, Tab. 46, Fig. 2?

Young. Ground colour, white, which on the upper part of the head
appears in the shape of two lines diverging from the muzzle over the
eyes to the sides of the head. From each side of the vertical shield a
line diverging towards the hind head, where it branches in two, send-
ing a portion transversely to the throat, and another to the upper part
of the neck joining under an angle that of the opposite side. On the
trunk and tail the ground colour shows itself as numerous narrow,
transversal bands, which on the centre are frequently interrupted and
placed in quincunx series ; on the sides the bands are bipartite. The
intervals between the ground colour are chestnut with dark brown
edges. The lips and the abdominal surface white with numerous pale
brown irregular spots. Iris greyish with a transversal black bar;
pupil elliptical, tongue white.*

Scuta 155, Scutella 48.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.
Bengal.
The description is taken from a solitary young individual, which
was killed in Province Wellesley. It measured,

* Adult. — A preserved specimen in the Museum of the Asiatic Society differs from
the young in having the head above of a uniform colour, while the rest of the peculiar
design is retained. The ground colour is yellowish white ; the brown of the young is faded
to a dull lead grey. — Scuta 156, Scutella 55. — Dimensions : head OJ inch : trunk 1 ft. 8f
inch; tail 3J inch =2 ft. 1 inch.— Circumference of the neck, 1§, of the trunk, 2f, of the
root of the tail, 1| inch. The locality from whence this specimen was obtained, is not
known : Bengal is given by M. Schlegel.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 99

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 5|-

Ditto ditto tail, If

8 inches.

Circumference of the neck, f , of the trunk, f , of the root of the tail,
•£ inch.

In livery and in general appearance this species resembles H. buccata,

from which it differs in the following particulars. Both the upper and

the lower rostral shield are very small ; the anterior frontals are much

broader than long, each like a small transversely placed cone, surrounded

by the nasal, (with a slit towards the lower margin,) the tetragonal frenal,

and behind, by the frontal. The vertical in extent nearly equals each

of the short occipitals. The eye is rather large, prominent, surrounded

by a single elongated, arched prae-orbital and two post-orbitals, of which

the inferior is the larger, bordering the fifth and sixth upper labials.

Of the latter there are eight on each side : the fourth borders the eye

below, the two posterior are broken up in small pieces. Of the 1 1 or

12 pairs of lower labials, the 4 nearest the angle of the mouth are the

smallest. The chin is covered by three pairs of oval shields, of which

the anterior is the largest, and by some minute scales. The mouth i

small ; the teeth minute, uniform, except the last upper maxillary tooth,

which is the longest with a furrow on the convex margin. The back

is slightly angular in the centre, much depressed ; the sides bulging ;

the abdomen narrow. The anterior part of the trunk is covered with

29, the posterior with 19 series of small smooth, imbricate scales, all

rhombic with rounded points. The tail is tapering and compressed.

Homalopsis enhydris, (Schneider.)

Syn.— Russell, I. PI. 30. Mutta Pain, Ally Pam.
Hydrus enhydris, Schneider.
Enhydris ccerulea, Latreille.
Hydrus atrocoeruleus, Shaw.
Coluber pythonissa, Daudin.
Homalopsis acr,* Boie.
Hypsirhina, Wagler.
Potamophis lushingtonii, Cantor.
Homalopsis aer, Schlegel.
Homalopsis olivaceus, Cantor.

* This specific name is singularly ill chosen, as the denomination " ular oyer,''
(waler-serpent,) is applied by the Malays to all fresh water serpents. The word
"oyer" applied to a single species is as eligible as would be " aqna," " eau"oi " waster."

J 00 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Iridescent dark greenish-or brownish-olive above ; the scales edged
with black ; in some two parallel light greyish lines from between the
eyes to the tip of the tail ; the lower half of the sides pale greenish or
brownish-grey; lips and throat white, edged and dotted with black.
Abdominal surface white or buff, with a greenish or brownish line on
each side, and a black central line dividing the scuta and scutella.
Iris greyish or pale olive ; pupil circular ; tongue whitish.

Young : with lighter and more strongly iridescent colours than the
adult.

Scuta 148 to 167 ; Scutella 53 to 71.
Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Java, Tenasserim, Bengal, Coromandel.

The head is small, ovate, scarcely distinct ; the nostrils are hemi-
spherical, with a slit towards the external margin of the shield ; the
single anterior frontal is small, rhomboidal, much broader than long ;
the eye is rather large, prominent, lateral and surrounded by two
rather broad post-orbitals, one or two narrow prse-orbitals, and beneath
by the fourth upper labial ; the frenal is small, rhombic. The external
margins of the occipitals ai'e bordered by three elongated shields, and
each temple by five similar. The eight upper labials are larger than
the ten lower. The chin is covered by two central pairs of elongated
shields, between which and the labials is, on each side, a single very
elongated shield. The mouth is small, the teeth minute, numerous
and equal, except the last tooth of the upper jaw, which is longer than
the rest and furrowed . The trunk is very robust, broadly depressed ;
the sides obliquely compressed, and the abdomen very narrow, flatten-
ed. The scales are broad rhomboidal with rounded points, slightly
imbricate, and disposed on the anterior part in 25, in the middle in
21, and near the tail in 19 longitudinal series. The tail is very slen-
der, somewhat compressed, tapering and prehensile. The largest indi-
vidual was of the following dimensions : —

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 5|

Ditto ditto tail, 0 5f

2 ft.
Circumference of the neck, If, of the trunk, 2|, of the root of the
tail, -§■ inch.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 101

Numbers of this species may be seen in rivers, as well as in irrigated
fields and estuaries, preying upon fishes, which however it refuses in a
state of captivity. It is of timid and peaceful habits. A large female,
after having been confined upwards of six months in a glass vessel
filled with water, brought forth eleven young ones in the manner noted
above under Acrochordus javanicus. During the process she lay motion-
less on the bottom of the vessel, the anterior part of the abdomen was
retracted towards the vertebral column, while the muscles of the pos-
terior part were in activity. Shortly after the parturition she expired
under a few spasmodic movements, and also two of the young ones
died in the course of about two hours, after having, like the rest, shed
the integuments. In length they varied from 6 inches to 6£. The
living nine presented a singular appearance : they remained a little way
below the surface of the water coiling themselves round the body of
an adult male, which was also kept in the vessel, occasionally lifting
the heads above the surface to breathe, at the same time resisting the
efforts of the senior to free himself. Fishes and aquatic insects were
refused, in consequence of which the young ones expired from inanition
in the course of less than two months.

HoMALOPSIS PLUMBEA, Boie.

Syn. — Hypsirhina, Wagler.

Hypsirhina hardwickii, Gray: Illust. Ind. Zool.
Homalopsis plumbea, Scklegel.

Iridescent dark brownish-or greyish-olive above, uniformly or with
small irregular black spots ; the two or three lowest series of scales
yellowish, each scale spotted or edged with brown ; lips and throat
yellow ; scuta and scutella yellowish white, the former in some partial-
ly edged with black, the latter with a black central zig-zag line ; iris
grey ; pupil elliptical, vertically contracted by the light ; tongue whit-
ish.

Scuta 125 to 126 ; Scutella 36 to 44.

Habit.' — Pinang.
Java.
The head is broad, ovate, depressed ; the muzzle blunt, the nostrils
small triangular, with a slit towards the lower margin of the nasal ; the
single anterior frontal broad triangular ; the rest of the crown shields
are of normal form. The eye is small, placed in a half lateral half

102 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the ■

vertical position, enclosed by two post-orbitals, one elongated prse-orbi-
tal, and beneath by the fourth upper labial ; the frenal is very small,
tetragonal ; the upper labials eight, rather high ; lower labials ten ;
on both jaws the shields increase in size towards the angle of the
mouth. The chin is covered with two pairs of elongated shields and a
few gulars. The mouth is small ; the posterior upper maxillary tooth
longer than the rest, furrowed, and the anterior lower maxillary teeth
also exceed the following. In addition to the fixed teeth there are
several accessory series. The trunk is nearly cylindrical, slightly
depressed, covered with small rhombic scales, smooth, and not imbri-
cate, disposed on the anterior part in 19, on the posterior part in 17
longitudinal series. The tail is short, conic, tapering and slightly
prehensile. Two individuals, taken at different times in rivulets in the
valley of Pinang, in habits resembled II. rhinchops. The larger was
of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. \\ inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 5

Ditto ditto tail, 0 2$

1 ft. 8£ inch.
Circumference of the neck, If, of the trunk, 2f, of the root of the
tail, 1-^ inch.

Homalopsis leucobalia, Schlegel, Var. (See Plate XL. Fig. 5.)

Young. — Above light brownish olive, or greenish grey with single
irregular distant brown spots ; lips and throat whitish yellow ; the
lowest three or four lateral series of scales, and the abdominal surface
greenish white or pearl-coloured.

Adult. — Uniformly blackish olive above, otherwise like the young.
Iris dark brown ; pupil elliptical, vertically contracted by the light.
Tongue whitish.

Scuta 130 to 148 ; Scutella 26 to 37.

Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

The head is very broad, depressed, and the muzzle blunt ; the ros-
tral broad, hexagonal, very slightly arched beneath ; the superior
margin borders the single small elongated anterior frontal, which is of
a narrow hexagonal form, broader behind, where it is wedged in between
the two broad frontals. The nasals are rather large ; nostrils small

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 103

crescent-shaped ; the vertical very broad, short, hexagonal ; occipitals
large, elongated with a pair of very broad shields on each side, below
which the temples are covered by three smaller shields. The eye is
very small, in a half vertical position, with two post-orbitals, one prse-
orbital, which extends to the large oval nasal ; frenal none, or, when
present, excessively minute. Of the five large upper labials, the ante-
rior is the smallest and borders the nasal ; the second the prse-orbital,
the third the orbit, and the lower post-orbital, the fourth and fifth the
temporals. The lower rostral is very small, triangular. Tbe seven or
eight inferior labials are much smaller than the upper. Tbe two pairs
of mentals ai'e very short. The mouth is small ; the teeth are very
strong, short and of nearly equal size, except the furrowed last upper
maxillary tooth and the anterior teeth of the lower jaw, which are
longer than the rest. The trunk is robust, back slightly raised in the
centre, the sides sloping, their lower half compressed, the abdomen
broad, arcbed. The scales are smooth, rhombic with rounded points,
slightly imbricate ; those of the sides have the points bent inwards
and firmly adhering to the skin, so as to appear hexagonal. On the
anterior part of the trunk they are disposed in 27, on the posterior in
25 longitudinal series. The tail is short, robust, tapering and some-
what prehensile. In the male the sides are compressed, very high in
the middle, and the lower surface is flattened, very broad, more so than
is the posterior part of the abdomen. In the female it is shorter, the
sides less high, and the lower surface less broad. The largest male of
a considerable number was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 10f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 . 2|

2 ft. 1| inch.

Circumference of the neck, 1-|, of the trunk, 2f, of the root of the
tail, If inch. With the exception of its colours, the present offers
no difference from II. leucobalia, from the rivers of Timor. At Pinang
it is numerous not only in fresh water and estuaries, but in the sea at
some distance from the shore, where it sometimes occurs in fishing
nets. It is of sluggish, not fierce habits, and feeds upon fishes and
Crustacea, aquatic and pelagic. In a young female the oviduct enclosed

104 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

4 white cylindrical eggs, which when they were observed contained
but yolk ; each measured about an inch in length.

Homalopsis hydrina, N. S. (See Plate, Fig. 4.)

Adult. — Ash-coloured above with a few scattered black spots on the
neck ; the back and tail with numerous transversal black bands ; the
lips, sides and abdomen uniformly pearl-coloured. Iris ashy ; pupil
elliptical, vertically contracted by the light ; tongue small, whitish.

Scuta 161 ; Scutella 34.

Young. — Resembling the adult, but the ash-colour of a much lighter
shade.

Scuta 153; Scutella 35.

Habit. — Sea off Pinang, and the Malayan Peninsula.

The head is moderately distinct, elongated, depressed, oval with
rounded, blunt muzzle ; the rostral shield moderate, hexagonal ; its
lower margin with a central minute tubercle, on each side of which
a triangular impression. The upper margin of the minute triangular
lower rostral presents a central cavity, and two lateral elevations fitting
into the margin of the upper rostral. A similar contrivance in the
pelagic serpents enables them hermetically to close the mouth. As in
//. leucobalia, the single small anterior frontal is elongated hexagonal,
broader behind, and enclosed by the rostral, the nasals, and the fron-
tals. Although the nasals are placed laterally, the small arched linear
nostrils open vertically, and send a slit to the posterior margin of the
shield ; the frontals are hexagonal, smaller than the latter ; the vertical
is the longest of the crown-shields, very narrow, hexagonal, pointed
at both extremities, but broader behind ; the supra-orbitals are small,
narrow ; the occipitals are broken up in minor shields : viz. two post-
occipitals, in size equal to the occipitals, and a minute conical inter-
occipital, enclosed by the four shields, with the broader extremity
wedged in between the occipitals. Each temple is covered with two
pairs of large shields, of which the lower borders the fifth, sixth, and
seventh upper labials. The eye is very minute, prominent, almost
vertically placed, surrounded by two post-orbitals, of which the lower
is broad pentagonal, meeting beneath the elongated single oblique prre-
orbital. Thus none of the upper labials border the orbit. The frenal
is moderate, pentagonal. Of the seven upper labials the anterior three

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 105

pairs are much smaller than the rest, which suddenly become very
large and deep, so as to make the margin of the lip very bulging in a
downward direction. The lower ten or eleven labials are smaller than
the upper, except the sixth, which is the largest. The chin with two
pairs of shields of which the anterior is very elongated ; the throat
with numerous minute scales. The mouth is small, the dentition
resembles that of Homalopsis leucobalia, Far. The trunk would be
orbicular, but for the narrow flattened abdomen, the scuta of which
are angulated, forming on each side a sharp ridge. The scales are very
small, smooth, on the neck disposed in 33, successively in 37, but
near the root of the tail in 29 longitudinal series. Those of the back are
rhomboidal with rounded points ; those of the sides lanceolate with the
point bent inwards, so as to appear truncated, each scale leaving a
small scpiare interval, in which appears the naked skin. The tail is
short, much compressed, tapering and slightly prehensile. In the
male the sides are very high, and the lower surface very broad, as
noted under //. leucobalia, Far. On the broadest part there are as
many as 21 longitudinal series of scales. In the female this organ is
shorter, the sides less high, and the abdomen less broad.

Of three individuals observed, two were captured in fishing stakes
placed in the sea off the shores of Keddah, a third was washed on
shore by the waves on the coast adjoining my house at Pinang. The
largest male was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 P

Ditto ditto tail, 0 2|

1 ft, "f inch.

( 'ireumfercnce of the neck, £, of the trunk, If, of the root of the tail,
i, of the middle of the tail, 1 ; two eighths from the apex, i inch.

It moved actively and without difficulty on the sand, and did not
offer to bite. In one examined the stomach contained remains of two
small pelagic fishes. In general appearance and colours the present
is more closely allied to the pelagic serpents than any other known
species. Whether it exclusively inhabits the sea, or, like Homalopsis
rhinchops, enhydrus, and leucobalia, as an occasional visitor, must be
a matter of future investigation.

106 ('dialogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

VENOMOUS SERPENTS.

FAM. VIPERIM, Bonaparte.

Sub-Fam. Bungarinye, Bonaparte.

TERRESTRIAL.

Gen. Elaps, Schneider.

Head more or less indistinct, neck not dilatable ; month and eyes

small, trunk elongated, throughout of nearly equal circumference, very

smooth ; tail short, tapering, beneath with scntella.

Elaps melantjrus, (Shaw.) (See Plate XL, Fig. G.)

Syn— Russell I. PI. 8. (young).

Coluber melanurus, Shaw, (young.)
Vipera trimaculata, Daudin, (young.)

Elaps trimaculatus, Merrem, apud < s "hi 'l f(^ounS-)
Strongly iridescent light bay above ; from the muzzle a longitudinal
black band, joining on the neck a broader transversal black band with
whitish edges ; a short oblicpie black line behind the eye, and a similar
from the nostril to the middle of the upper lip ; on each side of the
anterior part of the back a series of distant black dots ; a broad black
transversal band with whitish edges, at the root of the tail ; a second
similar, at a short distance from the apex ; lips, throat and the anterior
part of the abdomen iridescent yellowish white, changing to yellow or
orange on the posterior part ; the tail beneath bluish white, with large
irregular black spots. Iris black ; pupil circular ; tongue black.
Scuta 205 to 247 ; Scntella 24 to 32.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.

Tenasserim, Nerva, (Coromandel.)

In general appearance this species nearest approaches Elaps in-
testinal is, (Laurenti), but the eye is comparatively larger, while the
nearly ecptilateral, hexagonal, vertical shield is smaller in the present.
The eye is surrounded by two post-orbitals, one prse-orbital, and beneath
by the third and fourth upper labials. Of the latter seven pairs cover
the jaws. The trunk is throughout covered by 13 series of smooth,
sub-imbricate, rhombic scales. The one described by Russell, hitherto
the only describer from nature, was a young animal. A similar, up-
wards of a foot in length, was killed in Province Wellesley. But the
late Mr. Griffith in one of his botanical excursions, captured an indivi-
dual of the following dimensions :

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 107

Length of the head, 0 ft. 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 lOf

Ditto ditto tail, 0 If

2 ft. 0} inch.

Circumference of the trunk 1 inch.

Elaps intestinalis,* (Laurenti,) Var.

Syn. — Maticora lineata, Gray : 111. Ind. Zool.

Elaps furcatus, Schneider, Var. apud Schlegel, Cantor.

Young and Adult. — Head ahove light chestnut ; lips and throat
yellowish white, upper lips spotted with black ; from the hiudhead to
the tip of the tail a vermilion line, on each side of which a narrow,
serrated, black .line. On the nearest two longitudinal series of scales
the ground colour appears as a reddish light grey longitudinal line,
beneath bordered by an ecmally broad black line, under which a narrow
buff-coloured line, bordered by a black serrated line, the teeth of which
are directed downwards, wedged in between the lateral margins of the
scuta and scutella. Scuta alternately pale citrine and iridescent black,
the latter colour occupying three to four scuta together, while the
former rarely appears on more than two. Tail above with two or
three distant black transversal bands ; beneath vermilion, with a con-
tinuation of the superior transversal bands. Iris black, pupil circular ;
tongue black.

Scuta 223 to 238 ; Scutella 24 to 26.
Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.
Sumatra.

Excepting the colours, this variety otherwise perfectly agrees with

E. intestinalis. The neck is covered by 15, the rest of the trunk by

13 longitudinal series of smooth, not imbricate rhombic scales. It is

of no uncommon occurrence in the hills of Pinang, at Malacca, ami at

Singapore. The largest individual was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 10

Ditto ditto tail, 0 If

1 ft. 11| inch.
Circumference of the trunk If inch.

* Syn. Seba II, PI. 2, Fig. l.—Aspis mtestinaRs, Laufenti. — Cotuber intestinalis,
Gmelin.— Russell 11, PI. 19. — Elaps furcatus, Schneider. — Coluber intestinalis, Shaw. —
Vipera f areata, Daudin.— Elaps furcatus, Schneider, anud Wagler, Schlegel.

Habit.— JlivB, Malwah, (Central India.)

A collection ol Reptiles, which Mr. J. W. Grant obtained from Saugor, Malwah,
contained a single specimen.

108 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Elaps nigromaculatus, Cantor. (See Plate XL, Fig. 7.)

Syn. — Calliophis gracilis, Gray : 111. Ind. Zool. (YouDg.)

" Probablemeut nouvelie espece d'Elaps," Schlegel : Essay, p. 451. (1-)
Elaps nigromaculatus, Cantor : Spicil.

Head aoove yellowish brown, each shield with a pale black spot in
the middle ; lips and throat yellowish white, spotted with pale black.
Ground colour of the trunk and tail reddish light grey, longitudinally
divided by a central black line with small round, black, white-edged
spots about an inch apart ; on each side two parallel black lines, the
lower of which bordering the two lowest series of scales of the sides,
which are white edged with black, so as to appear longitudinally inter-
sected by two black lines. All the lateral black and white lines are on
each side intersected by a series of large rounded (the anterior pair
elongated), black spots with white edges, placed in pairs, opposite each
other, but in quincunx order with the smaller black spots of the dorsal
line. Beneath alternately yellowish white or pale citrine, and iridescent
black, both colours nearly equally divided. Tail at the root, and near the
apex with a broad transversal black band, edged with white, both conti-
nued on the vermilion lower surface, and there, between them, a third
similar band. Iris black, pupil round ; tongue bluish grey.

Young. — Marked like the adult, but the ground-colour of the back
and tail inclines to light reddish brown.

Scuta 238 to 311 ; Scutella 21 to 28.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore.

In general appearance this species very closely resembles Elaps
intestinalis, from which it is distinguished by the following characters.*
The two pairs of frontal shields are remarkably disproportionate, the
frontals (proper) being much the larger : next to the occipitals they are
the largest of the crown-shields. The nearly equilateral, hexagonal
vertical, and the supra-orbitals are remarkably small : more so than in
any other species of this genus. The occipitals are very narrow elon-
gated ; their external margin bordered by two pairs of shields of which
the anterior, the larger, covers the temples, and is beneath bounded by

* The (magnified?) representation of the head of " Calliophis gracilis," Fig-. 2. 111.
Jliil. Zool, is in every particular incorrect.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 109

the fifth find sixth upper lahials. The eye is sunk, excessively minute,
surrounded by two small post-orbitals ; beneath by the third and fourth
upper labials, and by a single narrow triangular prae-orbital. The
latter is placed obliquely, so that the downwards pointed apex meets
the linear posterior part of the nasal, or as it is considered by some,
the frenal. The nostrils are comparatively large. The upper labials
number six on each side : the two posterior are the largest. The chin
is covered by two pairs of elongated narrow shields, externally bordered
by the third and fourth, the largest of the six inferior labials. The
gular scales are more numerous than those of E. intestinal is. The
neck is covered by 15, the trunk by 13 longitudinal series of smooth
rhombic scales with rounded points. This species is of no uncommon
occurrence in the hills of Pinang. The largest individual was of the
following dimensions :

■a

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 If

Ditto ditto tail, 0 1 a

2 ft. 3| inch.
Circumference of the trunk, 1 inch.

Elaps bivirgatus,* Kuhl, Var.

Syn. — Elaps flaviceps. Cantor, Spicil.

Elaps tlaviceps, apud J. Reinhanlt : Beskrivelse, &c.

Head, lips and throat vermilion ; trunk above brilliant iridescent,
intense black, most of the scales partially edged with azure, not how-
ever sufficiently to produce regular network ; the two lowest series of
scales on each side azure, forming a continued lateral band, longitudi-
nally divided by a white zig-zag line, produced by the scales being par-
tially edged with white. Beneath vermilion ; each scutum with two
lateral, square, black spots, forming a continued black band bordering
the azure. Tail above with a narrow black dorsal line ; sides and scu-
tella vermilion. Iris and tongue black.

Scuta 248 to 277 ; Scutella 38 to 45.

* Syn. — Erpetologie rfe Java. PI. 44.— Elaps bivirgatus, apud Schlegel.
Habit. — Java, Sumatra.

110 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

In colours the young ones resemble the adult. The neck is covered

>y 15, the trunk by 13 longitudinal series of smooth rhomboidal scales.

The anterior part of larynx, instead of adhering to the upper part of

the membranous sheath enclosing the tongue, presents the peculiarity

of being free and projecting in the mouth like a small tube.

Of four individuals observed, the three were from the hills of Pinane.
Tbe largest was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 7-|

Ditto ditto tail, 0 3f

2 ft. l'l| inch.
Circumference of the trunk, 1^ inch.

Flaps intestinalis, Far, E. nigromaculatus, and bivirgatus, Par,
appear at Pinang exclusively to inhabit the hills at a considerable
elevation, but on the Malayan Peninsula, and at Singapore they occur
in the valleys. Although not numerous, they cannot be said to be of
rare occurrence. They are strictly terrestrial, and have their hiding-
places under the roots of trees, and in the crevices of rocks. They are
sluggish, awkwardly dragging their long slender bodies, and they
are generally observed lying motionless, with the body thrown in many
irregular folds, but not coiled. Although they are diurnal, their sight
from the minuteness of the pupil, appears to be as defective as their
sense of hearing, and they may be closely approached, without appa-
rently their being aware of danger. If touched with a stick, they make
a few strenuous efforts to slide away, but they soon stop, and if further
pursued, they make some irregular spasmodic-like movements, but they
have not been observed to bite. An adult Flaps bivirgatus, Par, was
on a single occasion seen to raise the head vertically about two inches
from the ground. In captivity they refuse food and water, and die in
a short time from inanition. Of a number examined, only one of the
latter species had in the stomach the remains of a small serpent, the
genus of which could not be determined. M. Schlegel has observed
Calamariee in the stomach of Flaps intestinalis. In the peculiar dis-

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 1 1 1

tribution of colours, in diminutive size, and in habits they resemble the
genus Calamaria. It is solely the smallness of the mouth which renders
the precedmg species of Elaps harmless to man, as from the following it
will be perceived, that their venom is as virulent as that of other
venomous serpents. From the diminutive size of the venomous
glands, the quantity of fluid secreted is small : scarcely more than a
drop from each. It is a pellucid, colourless fluid, slightly reddening
litmus paper.

After several unsuccessful attempts to make an adult Elaps nigroma-
culatus spontaneously bite a fowl, the jaws were forcibly closed over a
protracted fold of the skin on the inner side of the left thigh of the bird.
On account of the small gape, some difficulty was experienced in mak-
ing the jaws close over the fold of the skin, and, as it appeared doubt-
ful if the fangs had penetrated, the serpent was in a quarter of an hour
compelled again to wound the fowl in the skin below the right eye.
Twenty minutes after the first wound the fowl became purged, and
manifested symptoms of pain in the left thigh, which was continually
drawn up towards the body, although the wounds inflicted there, and
below the eye, were, from the smallness of the tangs, barely visible.
Twenty eight minutes after the first wound the bird commenced droop-
ing, occasionally attempting to raise itself, and in 10 minutes more
soporism occurred, interrupted by spasms of the neck, flow of saliva,
and pecking the. earth with the beak, while the pupil was spasmodically
contracted, and alternately dilated. The latter symptoms continued
during thirty minutes, when death occurred in an hour after the first
wound had been inflicted. Fowls wounded by Elaps furcatus, Far,
and Elaps bivirgatus, Far, expired under similar symptoms, from
within an our and twenty minutes, to upwards of three hours. The
serpents which all had forcibly to be made to inflict the wounds, short-
ly afterwards expired, apparently from the violence to which they had
been subjected.

Gen. Bungarus, Daudin.

Body elongated, slightly cylindrical ; tail short ; head oval, trunk and
tail with a dorsal series of large hexagonal scales ; the tail beneath with
scuta, in the middle sometimes with scutella ; behind the fangs some
simple maxillary teeth.

1 I 2 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Bungarus flaviceps, J, Reinhardt.

Young. — Head and neck blood-red, with a pointed elongated black
mark between the occipitals, and a short black dorsal line on the neck ;
the trunk black with steel-blue reflections, at the anterior part of each
dorsal hexagonal scale a short longitudinal white streak ; near the tail
blood-red ; each scale of the two lowest lateral series, white with a black
spot, placed so as to produce a continued lateral, white zig-zag line ; the
posterior part of the sides blood-red. Lips and throat blood-red ; ab-
domen black, posterior part as well as the tail blood-red, with a few
black spots. Iris and tongue black.

Scuta abdominalia 209, Scuta sub-caudalia 16 ; Scutella 38.

Habit. — Pinang.
Java.

M. J. Reinhardt has described the adult from an unique specimen
in the Royal Museum, Copenhagen. Spirits of wine change the brilli-
ant blood-red to a pale yellow colour. The diagnosis must therefore
be altered accordingly. The adult appears to differ from the young,
in having none of the black marks of the head and tail, and no lateral
white line.

A single young individual, found by Sir William Norris, on the Great
Hill of Pinang, was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 4-£

Ditto ditto tail, 0 3

1 ft. 8| inch.

Circumference of the neck 1, of the trunk If, of the root of the tail
4 inch.

The centre of the back forms a ridge, from whence the sides slope ;
the abdomen is broad, slightly arched, so that the vertical section of the
body becomes broad triangular. The neck is covered by 13, the trunk
by 13 longitudinal series of smooth, imbricate, rhomboidal scales. As
observed by M. J. Reinhardt, the correspondence of colours, and their
distribution, between this species and Flaps bivirgatus is very striking.
Besides, the number of series of scales, is another character, approximat-
ing this species to the genus Flaps.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 1 1 3

BUNGARUS CANDIDUS, (LilUie.)

Syn.— Seba II, T. 66, Figs. 3 and 4.
Coluber candidus, Linne.
Russell I, PI. 1. Paragoodoo.
Russell II, PI. 31. Sew Walaley.
Pseudoboa coerulea, Schneider.
Boa lineata, Shaw.
Bungarus cceruleus, Daudin.
Bungarus semifasciatus, Kuhl.
Aspidoclonion semifasciatum, Wagler.
Bungarus semifasciatus, Schlegel.

Above black with steel blue reflections, interrupted by numerous
narrow transversal white bands, produced by the white edges of the
scales. On each side the bands are bifurcated, and the two or three
lowest series of scales, white with black spots. Lips and throat white ;
abdominal surface yellowish white. Iris black ; tongue white.

Scuta 201 to 221 ; Scuta sub-caudalia 38 to 56.
Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.

Java, Tenasserim, Bengal, Assam, Coromandel, Ceylon, Ma-
labar.
A single young individual, killed by Capt. Congalton near Keddah,
was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 3#

'8

Ditto ditto tail, 0 4f

2 ft. 94 inch.

rkt nio frnnl/
8>

8

Circumference of the neck If, of the trunk 2, of the root of the tail
1^ inch.

Assam produces also a constant variety (B. licidus, Cantor) of a
uniform blue black above ; beneath yellowish white : in some the scuta
blackish with white edges. In the very young the head is white with a
black line between the occipital shields. It farther differs in having the
hexagonal scales smaller, less distinct from the rest, and the tail more
robust than the normal individuals.

Bungarus fasciatus, (Schneider.)

Syn.— Scheuchzer, PI. 655, Fig. 8.
Seba II, PI. 58, Fig. 2.
Russell I, PI. 3. Bungarum Pamah.
Pseudoboa fasciata, Schneider.
Boa fasciata, Shaw.

1 14 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Bungarus annularis, Daudin.
Aspidoclonion, Wagler.
Bungarus annularis, Schlegel.

Ground colour bright gamboge ; the anterior half of the head, and
the cheeks black with steel blue reflections ; from the vertical shield a
black longitudinal band, expanding over the neck and sides, and with
the former forming a broad arrow mark ; lips and throat gamboge,
upper lips edged with black ; the rest of the body completely surround-
ed by a number of broad, alternate gamboge and shining black, rings.
Iris black ; tongue flesh-coloured.

Scuta 200 to 233, Scuta abdominalia 32 to 36.
Habit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Java, Tenasserim, Bengal, Coromandel.

The neck is covered by 17, the trunk by 15 longitudinal series of
smooth scales, which with the exception of the dorsal hexagonal series,
are imbricate, rhombic. As noted under Elaps bivirgatus, Vdr, the
larynx is not attached to the scabbard of the tongue. Of three young
individuals from the valley of Pinang and Province Wellesley, the largest
was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3 5

Ditto ditto tail, 0 df

3 ft. 1 Of inch.
Circumference of the neck 2, of the trunk 3f, of the root of the tail
2, of the apex If inch.

In the Malayan countries the species of Bungarus ai*e not numerous,
but B. Candidas, and/asciatus are of no uncommon occurrence in Bengal
and on the Coromandel Coast, where, however, it should be observed, a
class of the natives (" serpent-charmers,") earn a livelihood by captur-
ing and exhibiting serpents, but this craft is unknown among the
Malays. The preceding three species, like the rest of the venomous
serpents, are very ferocious when attacked, but unprovokedly they are
not known to attack man : on the contrary, when met in the jungle,
they attempt to escape. When trod upon, or struck, their rage
is instantly excited, in self-defence they will even turn from their retreat,
and then their habitual sluggishness is roused to furious activity.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 115

Preparing to attack, the head is, hy a short curve of the neck, brought
closely to the body, and drawn far backwards, when suddenly darting
the anterior part of the body obliquely upwards, they bite. The height
of the place where the wound is inflicted, of course depends on the
length of the serpent, which is capable of darting nearly the anterior
half of the body. Notwithstanding the circular pupil, they appear to
shun the light, hiding the head under the folds of the body, and they
are singularly uncertain in their movements, often suddenly jerking the
head or tail without any apparent object. Like all serpents of tropical
Asia, they seldom expose themselves to the sun : when during; the dav
I hey leave their hiding places, they select the shade. The genus Bun-
yarns is terrestrial, feeding on rats, mice, serpents, {Col. mucosus, Lin.)
and toads. Like other venomous serpents, when the venom has been
inflicted on their prey, they disengage it from the fangs, sheathe and
place them as horizontally as possible, in order that they may offer no
resistance to the introduction into the mouth of the lifeless prey, which
is now seized head foremost. The innocuous serpents bite or strangle
their prey, which when life is extinct is either swallowed at once, or if
it happens to have been killed in a position, likely to render the deglu-
tion difficult, is often disengaged from between the teeth, and seized a
second time, by the head. In captivity these serpents refuse food, but
greedily lap up, and swallow water.

A fowl four minutes after it had been bitten on the innerside of the
thigh, by a Bungarus fasciatns, fell on the wounded side, and was
shortly after seized with slight purging. The eyes were half closed,
the pupils alternately dilated and contracted, immobile. In 17 minutes
slight spasms occurred, under which the bird expired 43 minutes after
it had been wounded.

Another fowl wounded in the same place as the former, by the same
serpent, but after an interval of seven hours, expired under similar
symptoms, only more violent spasms, in the course of 28 minutes.

Venom taken from another serpent, the fangs of which had been
extracted, was inoculated by a lancet-incision in the right thigh ; four
minutes after the fowl was seized with trembling, fell, and remained
lying on the wounded side, with the eyes closed, but it gradually
recovered, and rose apparently recovered, MO minutes after the inocula-
tion of the venom.

116 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Other fowls were killed by different serpents of this species, in 20 to
31 minutes.

Fowls bitten by Bungarus candidus expired under similar symptoms,
within 30 to 45 minutes; dogs from within I hour 10 minutes, to 2
hours, under symptoms noted in Russell's experiments (Russell I,
page 53.)

Sub.-Fam. Najin.e, Bonaparte.

Hamadryas, Cantor.
Head broad, sub-ovate, depressed, with a pair of very large post-
occipital shields, and a short, blunt muzzle ; cheeks tumid ; eyes large,
prominent, pupil circular ; nostrils wide, between two shields ; behind
the fangs a few maxillary teeth ; neck dilatable ; trunk thick, cylindrical ;
tail short, with Scuta and Scutella.

Hamadryas ophiophagus, Cantor.

Syn. — Hamadryas hannah, Cantor.
Naja elaps, Schlegel, (Young.)
Naja bungarus, Schlegel, (Young.)
Naja vittata, Elliot.
Hamadryas ophiophagus, apud Elliot.

Olive green above ; the shields of the head, the scales of the neck,
posterior part of the body, and of the tail edged with black ; the trunk
with a number of distant, oblique, alternate black and white bands,
converging towards the head ; the throat and anterior part of abdomen
impure gamboge, the rest of the scuta and scutella bluish grey, marbled
with black, or pale yellowish green, with a narrow sub-marginal brown
line. Iris golden, spotted with black ; tongue bluish black.

Scuta 215 to 256, Scuta sub-caudalia 13 to 32 ; Scutella sub-caudalia
63 to 96.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.

Java, Sumatra,* Bengal, Assam, f Coromandel.

Of two individuals, from the summit of the Great Hill of Pinang,
and from Province Wellesley, the larger was of the following dimen-
sions :

* Sir Stamford Raffles' specimen in the Museum of the Zoological Society, Loudon,
t Specimen in the collection of H. Walker, Esq. Surgeon G. G.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 117

Length of the head, 0 ft. 3 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 8 1

Ditto ditto tail, 2 4

10 ft. 8 inch.

Circumference of the neck 5|, of the trunk 8f, of the tail, 4| inch.

The neck is covered by 21, the trunk by 1 7 longitudinal series of
smooth imbricate scales : those of the two lowest series are large
rhombic ; of the sides irregular rhomboidal, appearing linear, all with
rounded apex. The Malayan individuals are of a lighter colour, more
inclining to yellow, than those observed in Bengal.

Gen. Naja, Laurenti.

Head covered with shields ; muzzle truncated ; the anterior part of

the trunk, between the Gth and 12th abdominal scutum, considerably

dilatable in the shape of a disk, with a large, white, transparent spot

above, edged with black, and somewhat resembling a pair of spectacles.

Naja lutescens,* Laurenti, Yar (D, Daudin.j

Syn— Seba II. T. 97, F. 4.

Naja peruviana, Lacepede.

Russell, I. PI 6, Fig. 4, Sankoo Nagoo.

Latreille IV. P. 27.

Vipera naja, Var D, Daudin.

Aspis, Wagler.

Naja tripudians, Var. Gray, 111. Ind. Zool.

Naja tripudians, Merrem, Var. Schlegel.

" IJlar mata-an" of the Malays.

Head shining dark brown above ; on the sides and lips brownish
white ; ground colour of the trunk buff, the anterior half of each scale
pale greyish brown ; beneath buff. Iris black with a narrow light
grey margin towards the orbit ; tongue light flesh-coloured.

Young. — Much lighter brown than the adult and strongly iridescent.

Scuta 189 to 193 ; Scutella 49 to 54.

* Coluber naja, Linne, Naja lutescens, Laurenti, the cobra de Capello, ha9 probably
the widest range of the Asiatic venomous serpents. The species, or its varieties, inhabits
the countries between the Sutlej and Cape Comorin, and Ceylon. According- to Mr.
Hodgson's observations it does not occur in the valley of Nepal, but it ranges through
Hindustan down to Cape Romania, the southern extremity of the Malayan Peninsula,
and from thence to Chusan, 30° N. E. 122° E. It is also found in the Philippines,
Ternate, Borneo, Java, Sumatra.

118 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.
Bengal, Coromandel.
It is numerous in the Malayan hills and valleys, but apparently of
uncommon occurrence in Bengal.

Var. nigra.

Syn. — Naja tripudians, Var. nigra, Gray, Illustr. Ind. Zool.
Naja tripudians, Var. Schlegel.

Upper parts intense black with strong purple or blue reflections ;
temples, lips, and throat pale orange, largely spotted with black ; the
lateral part of the anterior eight or ten, and of the 14th, 15th, and
1 "th scuta pale orange, black in the centre and with a broad black
margin ; the scales and interstitial skin on each side of the anterior
eighteen or twenty scuta white or buff, appearing on the lower sur-
face of the hood as two short parallel bands. The rest of the abdomi-
nal surface paler black than above, strongly iridescent, in certain lights
pale silvery. Iris black with the orbital margin pale grey ; tongue
light flesh-coloured.

Scuta 184 to 187; Scutella 49 to 52.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore.

At Pinang the preceding variety prevails, at Singapore the present.
Both are local, and they appear respectively to congregate on single
spots of limited extent. Another black variety {Naja atra, Cantor)
which inhabits Chusan, differs from the present in having a number of
distant transversal double lines of a yellow colour. Beneath it is slate-
or pearl-coloured.

The food of Naja lutescens consists of rats, small birds, (it occasion-
ally ascends trees,) lizards, and fishes, in search of which latter it fre-
quently takes the water, and even the sea, along the coasts. The
largest individual of the two Malayan varieties, was of the following
dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. \i inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 4 1

Ditto ditto tail, 0 9

4 ft. : inch,
ink, 4-g-j

8

Circumference of the neck, 2^, of the trunk, 4f, of the root of the
tail, 2| inch.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 1 1 9

The following Memorandum relative to the venom of Naja lutescens
(Laurenti) has kindly been communicated by J. W. Laidlav, Esq., Joint
Secretary, Asiatic Society.

" The venom was carefully obtained so as to avoid any admixture of
saliva, by compressing the venomous glands. It issued from the
lower aperture of the fangs in viscid drops of a syrupy consistency,
and was received as it fell from the fangs in platina capsules. The
serpents operated upon were an adult Cobra de Capello (Naja lutescens,
Laurenti) and one of its Varieties (Naja kaouthia, apud Belanger) and
were supplied by the kindness of J. W. Grant, Esq. C. S."

" In every instance the venom readily changed the blue of litmus to
red, and restored the bright yellow to turmeric paper that had been
reddened by the application of caustic alkali ; an unequivocal proof of
acidity. When left to spontaneous evaporation, it dried into a varnish
resembling mucilage, or the glare of an egg, cracking in all directions ; and
on being heated it deposited an abundant coagulum, apparently albumin-
ous. In either instance when redissolved, it retained its acid property."

" What the nature of this acid may be, it was impossible to deter-
mine from the small quantity operated upon ; nor am I prepared to say
that the poison itself is an acid, although if it be not so, it is certainly
associated with one. Most probably from the rapid and spontaneous
disappearance of its properties by keeping, the poison itself consists of
some exceedingly unstable compound, which would be wholly disorga-
nised under any attempt at isolation by chemical means."
Sub.-Fam. Yiperin.e, Bonaparte.
Gen. Trigonocephalus, Oppel.

Head broad triangular, scaly, with a pit before the eyes ; trunk

robust, cylindrical, tail short, tapering to a point, with scutella beneath.

Trigonocephalus gramineus, (Shaw.)

Syn— Russell, I. PI. 9, Bodroo Pam ; II. PI. 20.
Coluber gramineus, Shaw.
Vipera viridis, Daudin.
Trimeresurus viridis, Lacepede.
Cophias viridis, Merrem.

Coluber gramineus, apud Raffles : Tr. Linn Soc. XIII.
Bodroo Pam, Russel, apud Davy : Ceylon, &c.
Bothrops, Wagler.
Trigonocephalus viridis, Schlegel.
Trigonocephalus erythrurus, Cantor, (young.)

"Jlardaim" of the Malays.

120 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Grass green above, lighter on the sides, frequently interrupted by
zig-zag lines, produced by the black interstitial skin ; the tail in some
bright cinnamon-red ; from the sides of the neck along the lowest *
series of scales a pale yellow line. Lips, throat and abdominal surface
greenish yellow ; scutella in some spotted with cinnamon-colour. Iris
golden, dotted with brown, but leaving a narrow margin bordering the
elliptical black pupil, which is vertically contracted by the light.
Tongue pale bluish with black apex.

Scuta 165 to 170; Scutella 58 to 71.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.

New-Holland,* Timor, Pulo Samao, Celebes, Eastern Java,
Banka, Sumatra, Tenasserim, Bengal, Chirra Piinji, Nipalf
Coromandel, Ceylon.

Var.
Syn.— -Coluber gramineus, Var. apud Raffles, 1. c.

Differs from the preceding by its Indian or brick-red line on each
side.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.
Sumatra, Tenasserim.

In the Malayan hills and valleys the variety is by far the more nu-
merous : it is indeed the most common of the venomous serpents. In
Bengal I never observed but a single young one, (T. erythrurus,) cap-
tured in the Sunderbuns. It is generally observed on trees, hanging
down from the branches, or concealed under the dense foliage ; it preys
on small birds and tree-frogs [Polypedates leucomystax, (Gravenhorst.)]
But occasionally it descends to the ground, in search of frogs and
toads. The neck is covered by 27, the trunk by 23 or 25 ovate im-
bricate, keeled scales. The tail is prehensile.

Of a number examined none exceeded the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 0

Ditto ditto tail, 0 5|

'8

2 ft. 7i inch.

8

* Lacepede, on the authority of M. Baudin.
t Specimen in Mr. Hodgson's collection.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 121

Circumference of the neck, 1|, of the trunk, 2f, of the root of the
tail, 1 inch.

Trigonocephalus sumatranus, (Raffles*) Var. (See pi. XL, Fig. 9.)
Syn. — " Ular kapak" of the Malays of the Peninsula.

Young. — Grass green above, lighter on the sides and lips ; from the
pit beneath the eye, over the cheek a cinnamon red line with the upper
margin buff ; on each side of the back a series of distant spots, half
cinnamon, half buff coloured, each of the two or three scales compos-
ing the spots, being of these two colours ; on the tail the spots are con-
fluent, forming transversal lines. Beneath light yellowish green. The
largest individual in this garb measured 1 ft. 3f inch in length.

Adult. — Ground colour above light yellow, or pale greenish yellow,
largely mixed with intense dull black, so as to make the general appear-
ance black, through which the ground-colour appears on the head ;is
irregular spots, and a continued line, beneath which a black line pro-
ceeds from the eye to the occiput : on the trunk and tail as narrow,
distant, transversal bands, continued or broken up into spots. Labials,
gulars, the lowest two or three lateral series of scales, and scuta gam-
boge with black margins ; scutella largely spotted with black. Iris
golden dotted with black and with a black transversal bar, pupil ellip-
tical, vertically contracted by the light ; tongue bluish grey.

Scuta 141 to 147 ; Scutella 42 to 52.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.

Unfortunately in the Malayan countries this variety is not of so rare
occurrence as the species appears to be in Sumatra. Both are equally
dreaded. The natives of Sumatra denominate it " Piichuk," a young,
green shoot of a tree, a name expressive both of its colour and arborial
habits. The Malays of the Peninsula, who only know the black varie-
ty, call it from its broad cordate head the "hatchet-shaped" serpent,
" Kapak," or " Kapah" signifying an axe. At Pinang it generally
occupies the lower parts of the hills or the valleys, cither on the ground
or on trees, but Dr. Montgomerie in one instance observed it at an
elevation of 2,200 feet. It preys upon rats, small birds, tree-frogs and

* Syn.— Seba, II. T. 68, F. 4.— Coluber sumatranus, Raffles, liar Poochook.— Cnphias
wagleri, II. Boie. — Tropidolamus, Wagler. — Trigonocephalus wagleri, Schl< • I
Habit. — Sumatra.

122 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

toads. The neck is covered by 27, the trunk by 23 to 25 longitudinal
series of ovate, imbricate keeled scales. The labials, and the eular
scales are sharply keeled, but the keels of the former become obliterat-
ed with age. The tail is prehensile. Of nine examined the largest
individual was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 2 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 (ja

Ditto ditto tail, 0 6|

2 ft. 2| inch.
Circumference of the neck, 2f, of the trunk, 4f, of the root of the
tail, 1-| inch.

Trigonocephalus puniceus, Reinwardt.

Syn.— Seba, II, Tab. 64. Fio-. 1.

Klein: Tcntam. Pg. 10. No 25*

Vipera acontia, Laurenti.

Coluber acontia, Gmelin.

Vipera acontias, Daiulin.

Echidna acontia, Merrem.

Trigonocephalus puniceus, Reinwardt.

Atropos, Wagler.

Trigonocephalus purpureomaculatus, Gray. 111. Ind. Zool.

Trigonocephalus puniceus. Sclilegel.

Dull reddish-brown or olive tinged with purple; in some an indistinct
black line from the eye to the sides of the neck ; the scales dotted or
finely marbled with black, their keels pale ochre ; the posterior part of
the trunk and tail with irregular dark brown spots ; the interstitial
skin reddish brown, lighter or darker than the scales ; lips, throat, the
three or four lowest series of scales, and beneath pale greenish yellow ;
scuta and scutella with brown margins, the latter largely spotted with
brown. Iris greenish golden marbled with black ; pupil elliptical
vertically contracted by the light ; tongue light brownish grey.

Scuta 162 to 1/1 ; Scutella G5 to 70.

Hauit. — Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.
Singapore, Java.

The malayan individuals differ slightly from the Javanese in having
very few dark spots and no reddish line above the black one on the

* As several serpents have by Klein been indicated under the name of acontias, the
specific name of Reinwardt has been substituted.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 123

sides of the head. The oval gular scales have a tubercular appearance.
The integuments of the head and body are remarkably lax, like those
of Acrochordus javanicus. The neck is covered by 31, the trunk by
2/ longitudinal series of ovate or conical scales; they are not imbricate,
but are frequently surrounded by the naked skin. The tail is prehensile,
but less so than in the preceding species. The malayan individuals
appear to be less numerous than the Javanese. The four observed
were all found on the ground in valleys, The largest, which had been
feeding on a rat, was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 5f

Ditto ditto tail, 0 5-f

^

3 ft. Of inch.
Circumference of the neck, 2, of the trunk, 3%, of the root of the tail,
If inch.

In general sluggish, but when roused, ferocious habits, the preceding
three species resemble the genus Bung ar us ; their mode of attack is
also similar : like Vipera msselli, (Shaw)* when it prepares to dart,
they vibrate the prehensile tail, and utter a faint hissing sound. As the
pupil is vertically contracted by the light, they frequently miss their
aim, and like Bungarus, Naja, Vipera russelli and Hydras, in the
extreme of fury, they will fix the fangs in their own bodies. Although
they are aveise to motion, they are not of quite so stationary habits as
represented by M. Schlegel, {Essay : Partie Descriptive, page 520.) In
the jungle I have noticed them moving between the branches of trees
or on the ground, either in search of prey, or after heavy rains have
flooded their hiding places. In Bengal most terrestrial serpents keep
the latter during the hot season, but the rains send them abroad in
search of dry localities. Although the present genus has venomous
organs, as highly developed as Crotalus or Vipera, the effects produced
by wounds of two species at least, appear to be less dangerous, than
might a priori be supposed. According to Russell's experiments with
the venom of Trigonocephalies gramineus, chickens expired within 8 to
33 minutes, pigeons in 11 to 18 minutes. A pig recovered in G or

* Syn.— Russell, I. PI. 7. Katuha RekulaPoda, II. PL 32.— Coluber russellii, Shai
I ij ra elegans, Daudin.

124 Catalogue af Reptiles inhabiting the

7 hours, a dog in 2 to 3 hours, after having been wounded, (Russell, I.
page GO.) Mr. Hodgson has seen a man who was wounded by this
species, the only venomous known to inhabit Nepal, fearfully suffering
from pain and swelling, but he never heard of a fatal case. — {Transac-
tions Zoological Societg. Loudon. Vol. II, page 309.)

A male Trigonocephalies puniceus, successively wounded two fowls,
one in the chest, the other in the left thigh. In both cases the fangs
of both sides acted, but neither of the birds experienced any other effect
except a slight pain, which lasted a few minutes after they had been
wounded. It should, however, be observed, that the serpent at the time
had gorged itself with food, in which state it was observed close to the
General Hospital, in the valley of Pinang. Another individual was
subsequently caused to wound a fowl on the inside of the thigh. Tbe
bird immediately drew up the wounded leg, fell down and was purged
3 minutes after being wounded. In 3 minutes more, slight spasms of
the head and neck appeared at short intervals, but they ceased in 5
minutes, when the fowl made, at first some unsuccessful, attempts to
rise. Twenty-one minutes after having been wounded, the bird rose,
shook the wings, and had perfectly recovered. The same serpent sub-
sequently was made to wound another fowl on the inside of the
left thigh. The bird drew up the wounded leg, and was slightly
purged, but showed no other inconvenience from the wound.

The following experiment is communicated by Dr. Montgomerie.
An adult Trigonocephal us sumatranns, Var. was made to bite a fowl
in the fleshy part of the thigh. The bird limped about for a short
time, and a minute after it was wounded commenced purging. At the
end of two minutes it fell, breathing laboriously and was strongly con-
vulsed. At the end of six minutes a few drops of water exuded from
the eyes ; in fifteen seconds more it was quite dead : six minutes and a
quarter after it had been wounded. Both fangs had acted, the wound
was livid, and similar lines were observed in the course of the absorb-
ents. On another occasion, after some unsuccessful attempts to make
another individual bite a fowl, a terrier accidentally was wounded in
the fleshy part of the fore-arm. The serpent fixed the fangs for an
instant in the flesh ; the dog pitifully screaming, jumped and shook it
off. A ligature was immediately applied above the elbow, and the dog
secured in a cage. It continued for some time whining from pain,

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 125

probably aggravated by the tight ligature, which was removed at the
close of half an hour, and the dog let free. In a short time it had
regained the free use of the limb and was apparently well. But on the
third day following a perfectly circular slough, including the bitten
spot of about f of an inch in diameter, was thrown off, the sore readily
healed up and the dog suffered no further inconvenience.

PELAGIC.
FAM. HYDRID/E, Bonaparte.
Gen. Laticauda, Laurenti.
Tail compressed, with two surfaces, gradually increasing in height,
and with three furrows (sutures) on each side.

Laticauda scutata, Laurenti.

Syn. — Coluber laticaiulatus, Liune. Mus. A. Fig. 1/54.
Laticauda imbricata, Laurenti? 1/tiS.
Le serpent large-queue, Daubenton, 1/84.
Coluber laticaiulatus, apud Thunberg, 17^7-
Coluber laticaiulatus, apud Ginelin, ami E. W. Gray, 17^!'.
La queue plate, Lacepede, 1801.
Hydrus colubrinus, Schneider, 1801.
Platurus fasciatus, Latreille, 1802.
Hydrus colubrinus, apud Shaw, 1802.
Platurus fasciatus, Daudin, 1S(),'5.
Aipysurus lsevis, Lacepede, 1804, (Var?)
Platurus semifasciatus, Reinwardt, M. S.
Platurus fasciatus, apud Wagler, 1S.';i>.

Hydrophis colubrina, Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Tab. 10.
Hydrophis colubriaa, Schlegel, 18.'J7.

Neiv born. — Ground colour gamboge, greenish above, with numerous
distant broad rings of a blue reflecting black colour, encircling the
body ; the first and second black mark of the head and neck are beneath
joined by a short longitudinal line, commencing on the lower labial
shields ; another shorter black line borders above the gamboge upper
labials ; the scales between the rings, the scuta and scutella with black-
ish margins.

Older.- — Of paler colours, lead-grey on the back ; the rings impure
light blue on the sides and abdomen. The scales and scuta without
blackish margins. Iris black, pupil circular ; tongue grey.

Scuta 227 to 246 ; Scutella 32 to 41.
Habit. — Sea of the Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Bay of Bengal (Ramree, Pondicherry, Nicobars), Sea of
Timor, Molucca and Liewkicw Islands, Celebes, New
Guinea, Tongataboo, Chiua Sea.

1 2G Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

This species is readily identified by the abdominal scuta, and the
scutellated very broad tail. The anterior frontals are separated by a
small elongated pentagonal, or rhombic, shield, bordered behind by
the vertical, which is proportionally the largest shield, either equal-
ling or exceeding each of the occipitals. The eyes are compara-
tively large and prominent, surrounded by two post-orbitals, one
prse-orbital, and beneath, by the third and fourth of the seven large
upper labials. The lower jaw is covered in front by the rostral
and the two first labials, the succeeding seven are elongated linear
and placed horizontally so as to be hid by the upper labials, when
the mouth is closed. The chin is covered by two pairs of pen-
tagonal shields, between which and the labials appear two or three
series of elongated scales. The neck is covered by 25, the anterior
part of the trunk by 23, increasing to 25 and again decreasing to 1 !)
longitudinal series of large, smooth scales. The nostrils are small,
opening laterally. The tail, though much compressed, presents a broad
flat surface beneath, till near the apex, where it becomes two-edged.
The largest individual examined was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3 2

Ditto ditto tail, 0 5f

3 ft. 8f inch.
Circumference of the neck, 1|-, greatest do of the trunk, 4 inch.

Gen. Hydrus, Schneider.
Body slender in front, gradually thickening, covered with scales ; tail
compressed, two-edged.

Hydrus striatus, (Lacepede.)

Syn.* — Leioselasma striata, Laccpede, 1804.

Hydrophis striata, Temminck and Schlegel: Fauna Japon. PI. 7.

Hydrophis striata, Schlegel: Essay, 1837.

Hydrophis striata, Schlegel, apud Cantor,Tr. Zool. Soc. London, Vol. II.

* Doubtful Synonymy.— U ussell, II. PI. 9, Chittul, 1801, agrees with this species in
the following- characters: the eyes high, small, orbicular ; the trunk round till near the
anus, where it becomes compressed ; the scales smooth, imbricate, orbicular on the sides ;
the central abdominal series much larger than in any of the other species, ( Russell. )
The difference of colours is unimportant, as it is liable to variations, not only individual-
ly but according to age. Besides, all the species acquire a light bluish appearance about

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 127

Adult ? — Crown shields light chestnut ; lips and throat pale yellow ;
ground colour above pale greenish yellow, sides and abdomen buff with
numerous distant black transversal bands, becoming indistinct towards
the tail and on the sides, where the scales are partially edged or spotted
with black. The interstitial skin of the back and sides black, of the
abdomen buff. Iris dark grey with a buff orbital margin ; pupil black
minute ; tongue buff.

Central abdominal series of larger scales, 347 + 41.

Habit. — Sea of Pinang and Malayan Peninsula.

Sea of Liewkiew Islands, Timor, Sumatra, Bay of Bengal.

The eyes are lateral, sunk, excessively small, of a diameter equalling
the large almost vertically opening nostrils. The single prae-orbital
shield is beneath wedged in between the second and third upper labial.
The latter, as well as the fourth and fifth, border the orbit beneath. Of
the two post-orbitals the lower is wedged in between the fifth upper
labial and the large shield resting upon the sixth upper labial. Above
the latter and the seventh, the cheeks are covered by three very large
shields. The seven upper labiate are large and very high. Of the
nine inferior labials the two anterior are the largest, and placed verti-
cally, the succeeding seven arc smaller and placed nearly horizontally,
so as to become partially hid when the jaws are closed. The chin is
covered by the first pair of labials and two pairs of elongated mentals,
between which and the inferior labials intervene on each side the second
labial, three very large shields, and three smaller. The neck is cover-
ed by 37, the anterior part of the trunk by 33, and the thickest by 40
longitudinal series of rhombic scales. In the individuals examined by
M. Schlegel, all of less length than my own, the series varied from
31, 29 to 27. The scales are rhombic with rounded apex, each scale
with a small central tubercle, or an elevated (keeled) line, which how-
ever with age becomes indistinct or obliterated. The central larger

the period when the integuments are to be changed. Russell's description was copied
by Daudin, who merely supplied the denomination of Hydropkis cyanocinctus, (Hydrus
brugmansii, Boie,1827,) upon which Wngler founded his genus Enhydris, 1830. Accord-
ing to M. Schlegel, all these are Synonymes of Hydrus nigrocinctus (Daudin). The
only means of deciding the Synonymy of this and most of the other species appears to
he a close examination of such original specimens, described l>y Russell and Shaw, which
maj al present exist in the collection of the British Museum.

128 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

abdominal scales are hexagonal, with or without a small tubercle on
each side. The anus is covered by three or four excessively large
scales. The larger individual of two was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, Oft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 5 6 J-

Ditto ditto tail, 0 4-f

6 ft. Of inch.
Circumference of the neck, 3f, greatest do. of the trunk, 4| inch.

Hydrus nigrocinctus, (Daudin.)

Syn.*— Russell, II. PI. 6. Kerril Pattee, 1801.
Hydrophis nigrocinctus, Daudin, 1803.
Hydrophis melanurus, Wagler, 1828.
Polyodontes annulatus, Lesson, 1833.
Hydrophis nigrocincta, Sehlegel, 1837.
Hydrophis nigrocincta, Sehlegel, apud Cantor, 1. c.

New born. — Ground colour buff or bluish-white; upper-lips and
muzzle black, and a transversal band across the hind head, from whence
proceeds a triangular or cross mark towards the vertex ; gular and
inferior labial shields edged and spotted with black ; trunk and tail with
numerous black transversal bands, either encircling the body, or inter-
rupted on the abdominal ridge, where appear a few indistinct black
spots ; apex of the tail black. Entire length 8f inch.

Older. — Greyish green olive above, yellowish on the sides, buff be-
neath ; the bands less intense black, often placed oblicpxely so as to
join each other on the back. Iris grey ; pupil circular, black ; tongue
buif. Central abdominal series of larger scales, 281+ 41 ; 284 +- 43 ;
289-f- 39.

Habit. — Sea of Malayan Peninsula, Pinang, Singajwre.
Estuaries of the Ganges, Bav of Bengal.

This species greatly resembles H. striatus, from which it differs in
the more compressed general form ; the eye though small, is of a larger
diameter than the nostril, and it is surrounded by a single post-orbital
shield, which beneath is wedged in between the fourth and fifth upper
labial, and the prse-orbital between the second and third. The orbit is
bordered beneath almost entirely by the fourth upper labial. The

* Doubtful Syn.— Russell, II. PL 13, Kaddell Nagam, 1801. (Enhydr is gracilis,
Merrem, 1820.) Hydrus spiralis, Shaw, 1802.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. ] 29

sixth upper labial is the largest, in some individuals covering the check
and bordering above the occipital. Of the seven or eight inferior
labials the four anterior are very large ; above the third there is one or
two small triangular shields ; the other three or four posterior labials
are very small elongated. There is no horizontal series of labials as in
II. striatus, and the two elongated pairs of mentals immediately border
the labials. The neck is covered by 33, the thickest part of the trunk
by 53 longitudinal series of scales. Those examined by M. Schlegel,
the length of which exceeds those come under my own observation,
had 27, 29 to 31 series of scales. Those of the anterior part of the
back are rhomboidal, those of the posterior part rhombic with round-
ed apex and slightly imbricate ; those of the sides hexagonal : all have
either a sharply raised keel or a central tubercle, both of which fre-
quently become obliterated. The central series of abdominal scales are
a little larger than the rest, frequently divided in two hexagonal, and
with a small tubercle on each side, which often becomes indistinct, or
obliterated. The anus is covered by 3 or 4 very large, or by a series
of small scales. The largest of six individuals was of the following
dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 Of

Ditto ditto tail, 0

8

Of)

~ 8

2 ft. 3| inch.
Circumference of the neck, f ; greatest do. of the trunk, 2 inch.

Vau. ? (See PL XL. Fig. 8.)

Crown shields olive green with a blackish band from the eyes over
the anterior part of the upper lip ; the posterior part and the lower lip
pale yehow ; ground colour of the trunk greenish lead grey above, pale
yellow on the sides, beneath buff, with numerous black transveral bands.
Iris amber-coloured with the orbital margin dark grey. Central abdo-
minal series of scales 235-}-38.

It differs from the preceding in the following particulars. The
head is proportionally shorter, broader triangular, the muzzle more
pointed, and the upper surface from the vertical shield very declivous.
The eyes are much larger than the nostrils, with a single prse-and post
orbital, but bordered beneath by the third and fourth upper labial

130 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

The latter, six in number, present nothing abnormal. The lower
labials are also six, proportionally larger than in the preceding. The
mouth is smaller. The make of the trunk is more robust ; the neck is
covered by 15, the thickest part of the body by 21 longitudinal series
of proportionally much broader hexagonal scales, tuberculated on the
anterior part of the trunk, on the rest keeled, forming series of sharp,
continued ridges. The central abdominal series is at first somewhat
larger than the rest, angular, with a small more or less distinct tubercle
on each side. A single individual, captured in a fishing stake off
Pinang, was of the following dimensions : —

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 6|

Ditto ditto tail, 0 2f

1 ft. 9f inch.
Circumference of the neck, If, greatest do. of the trunk, 2} inch.

Hydrus gracilis, Shaw.

Syn.*— Russell, I, PI. 44, Tatta Para, 1/96, (very young.)

Hydrus fasciatus, apud Shaw (Russell, I, 44, excluding the other Syn.)

1802.
Angvis mamillaris, Daudin, 1803.
Hydrus, apud Wagler, 1830.
Russell, II, PL 7, Shootur Sun, 1801.
Hydrus cloris, Daudin, 1803.
Hydrophis, apud Wagler, 1830.
Russell, II, PL 8, Kalla Shootur Sun, 1801.
Hydrophis obscurus, Daudin, 1803.
Hydrophis, apud Wagler, 1830.

Hydrus fasciatus, apud Guerin : Ieonog. Rept. PL 25, 1, 1829.
Pelamis chloris, Merrem apud Horsfield : Life of Raffles, 1830.
Microcephalia gracilis, Lesson, 1833.
Hydrophis gracilis, Schlegel (Syn. Angvis xiphura, Hermann, Tvph-

lops, Merr. Tent. p. 158,) 1837.
Hydrophis gracilis, Schlegel, apud Cantor, 1. c. PL 56, (Young.)

New born. — Head shining intense black ; ground colour of the trunk
and tail bright gamboge, on the back and sides interrupted by numer-
ous black rings, which above are widened into lozenge shape, narrowed
on the sides. Throat and anterior half of abdomen intense black, con-
tinued as a more or less distinct line to the black apex of the tail. On
the sides the yellow ground colour appears in the shape of oval spots,

* Doubtful Syn. — Angvis laticauda, Linne, ISIus. A. F. 1754. Vosmaer, Monogr.
Fig. 2, 1774, Hydrus fasciatus, Schneider, 1801.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 131

gradually increasing in depth towards the tail. Entire length, 1 ft.
3 inch.

Adxdt ? — Head and back uniformly dark olive or brown, becoming
greyish on the posterior half, and very indistinct or obliterated on the
sides. In some a pale yellow spot on each side of the hindbead, and
a third on the frontal shields. The lateral oval spots pale sulphur
coloured on the anterior half, pale greenish yellow on the posterior.
The black of the lower surface very pale, but distinct. Iris black ;
tongue buff.

Central abdominal series of larger scales, 454+GO.

Habit. — Sea of Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Bay of Bengal, Malabar, Sumatra, Borneo.

In form and number the shields of the head resemble those of
Hydras nigrocinetus, so as to afford no distinguishing character. Yet
it may be readily distinguished from that and other species by the ex-
cessive slenderness of the anterior, cylindrical part of the trunk, which
from thence becomes much compressed, gradually increasing in bulk
and vertical diameter till towards the tail, where the diameter again
decreases. The scales of the cylindrical, anterior part of the trunk arc
rhomboidal with rounded points and slightly imbricate ; the rest are
hexagonal. The central abdominal series continued beneath the tail,
consists of hexagonal scales, a little larger than the rest, and frequently
longitudinally divided. In the very young all the scales are smooth,
with age the central abdominal ones acquire a small tubercle on each
side, and those of the compressed sides and of the back each a central
tubercle. In the largest individuals the central abdominal scales have
three longitudinally placed minute tubercles on each side, and the rest
of the hexagonal scales three or four similar central tubercles. In the
new-born the neck is covered by 32, the bulkiest part of the body by
49 longitudinal series ; these parts are covered by 26 and 14 series in
the largest individual, which is of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3 2|

Ditto ditto tail, 0 4

• ■ ■ ™ ■ ' *

3 ft. 7| inch.
Circumference of the neck, If, of greatest do. of the trunk, 3-§ inch.

132 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabit iuy the

Hydrus sciiistosus, (Daudin.)

Syn.*— Russell, II, PI. 10, Hoogli Pattee, 1801.
Russell, II, PI. 11, Valakadyen, 1801.
Hydrophis scbistosus, Daudin, 1803.
Hydvus valakadyen, H. Boie, 1827.
Disteira russelli, Fitzinger, 1827.
Hydrophis, apud Wagler, 1830.
Leioselasma schistosa, Fitzinger, 1827.
Hydrus, apud Wagler, 1830.
Hydrophis schistosa, Sehlegel, 1837.
Hydrophis schistosa, Sehlegel, apud Cantor, 1. c.

New born. — Head above blackish or dark brown ; back and sides
■with numerous transversal blackish bands, broad above, narrow on the
sides ; lips, throat, sides and abdomen buff ; tail blackish with a few
transversal buff bands above. Entire length lOf inch.

Adult ? — Head above and back either uniformly pale greenish grey,
or with darker transversal bands, becoming more or less indistinct on
the sides; lips, throat, sides brownish white or buff; tail uniformly
blackish, or greyish olive-green. Iris pale amber or greenish-yellow,
with a grey orbital margin ; pupil black, tongue buff.

Central abdominal series : 239+47 ; 242+42 ; 312+58.

Habit. — Sea of Malayan Peninsula and Islands.
Bay of Bengal, Malabar, Sumatra.

The head is elongated conical, the muzzle sloping and the rostral shield
beneath terminating in a vertically projecting point, which fits into a
corresponding cavity in the lower jaw. The anterior elongated trian-
gular frontal shields are next to the occipitals the largest ; the large
oval nostrils send a slit towards the external margin of the shield.
The eyes are lateral, moderate, surrounded by a prse-orbital, a post-orbi-
tal, frequently cut in two smaller, and beneath by the fourth upper
labial shield. Behind the latter, the lip is covered by three or four
horizontally placed small shields, above which appear three large
vertically placed shields, of which the last borders the sides of the occi-
pital pair. The lower rostral is remarkably elongated, linear, and hid
in a furrow between the first pair of inferior labials. Of the latter the
anterior five on each side are much elongated, followed by five or six
smaller. The chin is covered with numerous minute scales, and like

* Douciivl Svn. — Hydrus major, Shaw, 1802. — Disteira doliata, Lacepale, 1804.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 133

the rest of the hody with very lax skin. In the young ones the neck
is covered by 47, the bulkiest part of the body by 57 longitudinal
series of smooth, somewhat tubercular scales. Older individuals have
these parts covered by 48 and GO series of hexagonal scales, either with
a short keel dividing the anterior half, or a central tubercle. Tbe
central, slightly raised, abdominal series commences very far back, from
one to three inches behind the chin. The anterior scales are wedge-
shaped hexagonal, the posterior are broader, but slightly larger, than
the rest, with a small elongated tubercle on each side. The largest
individual of a great number, was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3 If

Ditto ditto tail, 0 4f

3 ft. 7 inch.
Circumference of the neck, 2f, greatest do. of the trunk, 5 inch,

IIydrus pelamidoides, (Schlegel.)

Syn.* — Pelamis carinata, Cuvier, MS.

Hydrophis (Disteira doliata, Lace]).) Wagler, 1830.

Lapcmis hardwickii, Gray, 111. Ind. Zool. 1832.

Hydrophis pelamidoides, Schlegel, 1837.

Hydrophis pelamidoides, Temniinck and Schlegel, Fauna Japon. Tab. 9.

Hydrophis pelamidoides, Schlegel, apud Cantor, 1. c.

Young. — Sulphur coloured, paler on the sides and abdomen ; the head
largely spotted with blackish, through which the ground colour appears
in the form of a rectangle, the two sides of which pass from the hind-
head to the orbit, the anterior across the frontals, the posterior over the
hind-head ; two yellow spots between the nostrils ; lips yellow, cheeks
and throat blackish ; on the back a number of transversal blackish
bands to the middle of the sides, broader than the intervening yellow
lines ; tail black. Entire length 10§ inch.

Adult ? — Head uniformly reddish brown above ; ground colour green-
ish yellow, lighter on the sides and beneath, with broad lozenge shaped
transversal bands of a blackish olive, continued on the anterior half of
the tail ; posterior half blackish. Iris dark olive ; pupil black ; tongue
buff.

* Doubtful Syn— Russell, II, PI. 12, Shiddil, IWl.—Hydrus curtus, Shaw, 1802.

134 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Habit. — Sea of Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Bay of Bengal, Sea of Celebes, Molucca Islands, China Sea.
The head is much depressed, not broader than the neck ; the muzzle
broad, rounded; the rostral shield is large, rectangular pentagonal, broader
than high, the lower margin with a central point and a notch on each side.
The eyes are moderate, lateral, not prominent, surrounded by a prse-
orbital, a post-orbital, and beneath by the third and fourth upper labials.
The frenal shield, observed by M. Schlegel, was not present in four
individuals, examined in the straits of Malacca: its existence therefore
appears not to be constant : in all Hydri the shields of the head are
liable to considerable individual variations of form. Of the eight upper
labials the posterior three are very small, which is also the case with the
posterior five of the nine inferior labials. The two pairs of elongated
mentals are outside bordered by the three first inferior labials, inside,
by several small scales. In the young the neck is covered by 37, the
thickest part of the trunk by 40 longitudinal series of hexagonal,
smooth, comparatively small scales. In the older individual these
parts are covered by 32, and 37 large hexagonal scales, each with a
central tubercle. The lower series of the sides are slightly larger than
the rest, and vertically elongated, so as to acquire a rectangular appear-
ance. The central abdominal series is much smaller than the rest. Each
scale is either rhombic, and, as represented in the excellent plates of
Fauna Japonica, hemmed in between four* of the two lowest lateral
series, or they are absent, and their place is occupied by a pair of the
former, which are soldered together. In young individuals the central
series frequently consists of alternate broad triangular, and very minute
rectangular scales, both kinds smaller than the rest. The largest
individual of four was of the following dimensions :

■»v

Length of the head, 0 ft. 1 inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1 8

Ditto ditto tail, <) 9^

1 ft. 11| inch.
Circumference of the neck, 2|, greatest do. of the trunk, 4 inch.

* A somewhat similar disposition is observed in the central dorsal series of the how-
ever differently shaped scales of Xenodermus javanicus, Keinhardt.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 135

Hydrus bicolor, Schneider.

Syn— Seba, II, Tab. 77, Fig. 1.

Angvis platura,* Linne, 1766.

Vosmaer: Monogr. Fig. 1. 1774.

Angvis platuros, apud Gmelin, 1788.

Russell, I, PI. 41. Naila Wahlagillee Pam. 1799.

Lacepede V, Tab. 15, Fig. 2, 1801.

Hydrus bicolor, Schneider, 1801.

Hydrophis platurus, Latreille, 1802.

Hydrus bicolor, apud Shaw, 1802.

Pelamis bicolor, Daudin 1803.

Pelamys (Angvis platura, Lin.) Wagler, 18.30.

Pelamis bicolor, apud Horsfield, Life of Raffles, 1830.

Pelamis bicolor, apud Oken, 1836.

Hydrophis pelamis, Schlegel, 1837.

Hydrophis pelamis, Temminckand Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, page 60.

Head and back black (inky), forming a straight line on the sides
till towards the posterior part, where it becomes largely undulating, so
as to appear as broad bands ; lips, throat and sides sulphur coloured,
turning into yellowish white or buff on the abdomenf and tail ; poste-
rior parts of the sides with some more or less distinct rounded black
spots ; tail largely banded or spotted with black. Iris pale yellow
with a broad black orbital margin ; pnpil black ; tongue buff.

Habit. — Sea of Malayan Peninsula.

Bay of Bengal, Malabar, Sea of Sumatra, Java, Celebes,

Molucca Islands, China Sea (to 27° N. Lat.) Otaheite,

Bay of Port Jackson (33° 55' S. Lat.— 151° 25' E. Long.)

The head is very elongated, depressed, viewed from above, it presents

a striking resemblance to Herpetodryas oxycephalies (lleinwardt).

The eye is larger than in any other species of Hydrus, surrounded by

two, three, or even four post-orbitals, one large prrc-orbital, and beneath,

by the fourth upper labial shield. A frenal shield has been observed

in some individuals, but it was absent in that examined in the straits

of Malacca, nor does it exist in the specimens, in the Museum of the

Asiatic Society. The neck is covered by 44, the thickest part of the

trunk by 52 longitudinal series of small scales. Those of the upper

parts are smooth, hexagonal ; those of the sides approach the orbicular

form, and have in the centre one, two or three longitudinally placed

* In consequence of the specific name of Linne having' been applied by Latreille to a
genus (Flaturus), that of Schneider, the next different in succession, hasbeen substituted.

t In the individual figured by Russell, the bright yellow colour formed a narrow
lateral line, below which tiie sides and abdomen were of a dusky greenish yellow.

18G Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

minute tubercles. Similar tubercles are observed on eacb side of tbe
scales, forming the central abdominal series, which is composed either
of entire hexagonal scales, a little larger than the rest, or they are lon-
gitudinally divided into pairs of smaller pentagonal scales, which have
the appearance of being divided by an abdominal suture. A single
individual taken in a fishing stake, off the coast of Province Wellesley
was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0 ft. If inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2 1|

Ditto ditto tail, 0 3f

2 ft. 7f inch.
Circumference of the neck, 2\, greatest do. of the trunk, 3f inch.

The preceding, comprising all the hitherto known species of pelagic
serpents were observed chiefly at Pinang, among the abundant supply
of fishes, daily carried to the markets. Of their general habits some
account appears in the Transactions of the Zoological Society, London,
Vol. II, p. 303. One of them, Hydrus schistosus, is incredibly nume-
rous in the Bay of Bengal, at Pinang and Singapore, far more so than
any known terrestrial serpent. The fishing nets are hardly ever worked,
but that one or more are among the contents. The other six species
are of rare occurrence at Pinang and Singapore, as will be perceived
from the disproportionally small number of each, examined during four
years, viz. of Laticauda scutata : 3 ; Hydrus striatus : 2; nigrocinctus :
6; gracilis: 7; pelamidoides : 4 ; pel amis : 1. — Of these Laticauda
scutata is excessively numerous in Timor, Hydrus pelamis in New
Guinea, the Molucca Islands, and Otaheite, where the natives use it as
an article of food. The remaining species, as far as is known, have
been observed nowhere in such overwhelming numbers. Large indivi-
duals of every species are very seldom seen, it is the young individuals
which frequent the coasts, and it appears to be questionable, if even
the largest observed arc animals arrived at their full size. The large
individuals are very ferocious ; the young ones are less so. Fortunately
for the fishermen the light blinds these serpents, which when out of
their proper element, become very sluggish and soon expire. This
accounts for the safety of the class of men, whose daily calling brings

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 13/

them in immediate contact with animals, the wound of which is fatal.
The fishermen in the straits of Malacca are aware of their danger, and
therefore take care to avoid or destroy these reptiles while landing the
fishes. The Malays denominate them " liar laut," i. e. serpents of
the sea, among which, however, the innocuous Acrochordus granvlatus,
(Schneider) is also comprised as an inhabitant of the coasts.

BATRACHIA.

FAM. CiECILID.E, Bonapaktk.

' Gen. Ichthyophis, Fitzinger, 1826.
(Epicrium, Wagler, 1S28.)

Head depressed, elongated ; muzzle obtuse ; maxillary and palatine
teeth slender, pointed and couched backwards ; tongue entire with
velvety surface; eyes distinct, below and a little in front of which a
fosset with a minutely tentaculated border ; body subf'usitbrm with
numerous close circular folds.

Ichthyophis gliitinosus (Linne) Var?

Of a uniform sooty brown, paler on the lower surface. Circular
folds 254, of which 8 are caudal,
H abit. — Singapore.

The transversal diameter, taken at the occiput, is nearly equal to
that of the root of the tail, and but little less than the uniform diameter
of the trunk, which is between the 24th and 25th part of the entire
length. Compared with a specimen of Ichthyophis gliitinosus, (Linne,)
the present is of a more robust make ; the bead is shorter, the muzzle
blunter, and the transversal distance between the nostrils greater.
The apex of the tongue and the arches formed by the teeth are broader,
more rounded. The palatal and upper maxillary teeth are blunter,
and appear less recurved. Those of the lower jaw, the largest, present
an appearance as if each was composed of two distinct parts : a lower
which is vertical, broadly triangular, the posterior margin of which
supports the upper part, which is curved backwards, and with rounded
apex. The circular folds of the skin are fewer, more distant, and with
the exception of the 'S or 4 anterior ones, complete. They are dis-

138 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

posed in a manner similar to that of Ichthyophis glutinosus. The
crowded imbricate scales appear to be of a somewhat rectangular
form, less rounded than in I. glutinosus : in both their surface presents
a minute net-work. The fosset of the upper lip is situated in the
centre of a small tubercle. The circumference of the fosset is provided
with a very short, minute, membranous tube, which, however, after the
animal for some years has been preserved in spirits of wine, can scarcely
any longer be distinguished.

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 104-

Ditto ditto tail, 0

Entire length,. . lOf inch.
Circumference of the neck, 1, of the trunk, If, of the root of the tail,

4 inch.

A single individual was observed by Dr. Montgomerie at Singapore
in 1843, in whose garden it was turned up with the earth, from about
two feet below the surface, and from whom I received the specimen,
shortly after it had been killed. Although, as stated, it differs in
colours and in other characters from the description given by M. M.
Dumeril and Bibron of Ichthyophis glutinosus (Epicrium glutinosum,
Wagler, apud D. and B.) as well as from a specimen lOf inch in
length, from Assam, the data appear to me insufficient with certainty
to determine, whether the present is a distinct species, or a variety of
Ichthyophis glutinosus, (Linne.)

FAM. RANID.E, Bonaparte.
Gen. Rana, Linne.

Skin smooth, hinder extremities very long, formed for leaping ; toes
palmated ; teeth in the upper jaw, and in the palate.

Rana leschenaulti, Dum. and Bibr.

A line of minute conical tubercles along the sides of the body and
across the throat. Above uniformly chocolate-coloured ; beneath and
on the innerside of the extremities white, more or less vermiculated
with pale brown. Iris narrow golden, rhomboidal, the two lower sides
not joining each other, but leaving a small open space between them.
Web of the toes orange with purple spots.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 139

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.
Pondicherry, Bengal.

The marbled appearance of the upper parts, described by M. M .
Dumeril and Bibron, does not exist during life, but is acquired when
the frog is immersed in alcohol. The species is apparently not nume-
rous. Of two the larger was of the following dimensions :
Length of the head, 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1

Ditto ditto anterior extremity, If

Ditto ditto posterior, 3|

Rana bengalensis, Gray, Illustr. Ind. Zool. is perhaps intended to
represent this species.

Rana tigrina, Daudin.

Syn. — Rana tigrina, Daudin. Hist. uat. Gren. &c. p. 64, PI. 20.
Rana mugiens, Daudin. 1. c. PI. 23.

Rana mugiens, Latreille. Hist. Rept. F. 2, p. 153, Fig. 2.
La grenouille taureau, Cuvier, R. A., 1. Ed.
Rana tigrina, Menem.
Rana limnocharis, Boie, MS.
Rana cancrivora, Boie, MS.
Rana cancrivora, Gravenhorst.
Rana picta, Gravenhorst.
Rana brama, Lesson.
Rana rugnlosa, Wiegmann.
Rana vittigera, Wiegmann.
Rana cancrivora, Tschudi.
Rana tigrina, apud Dumeril and Bibron.
" Kodok, Katak, Lancha" of the Malays.

Body and limbs above golden greyish-olive or brown, in some with
large rounded black spots, and with a yellow line from the muzzle
down the back, and a similar broad band from the side of the muzzle
to the loins. Beneath and on the innerside of the limbs white or
yellow, with or without black spots. Iris burnished golden, the lower
half sometimes black, pupil elliptical rhombic.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Coromandel, Bengal, Assam, Tenasserim, Java, Sumatra,
Timor, Philippines, Canton Province.

The species is excessively numerous in valleys and hills, after heavy
falls of rain, but adult individuals are of comparatively rare occurrence

1-10 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

At night the deep short baying sound denotes its presence. The
lamest individual measured :

Length of the head, \± inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 3f

Ditto ditto anterior extremities, 2f

Ditto ditto posterior, 7 a

Gen. Megalophrys, Kuhl.
Head very large, broader than the trunk, depressed ; rostral angle
and upper eyelid elongated to a point. Tympanic membrane hidden.
Nostrils lateral, below the rostral angle. Mouth enormous ; tongue
circular, slightly notched behind. Posterior extremity with a short
interdigital membrane.

Megalophrys Montana, Wagler, Var.

Above pale greyish brown, with a small black triangular tubercle on
each shoulder, and a similar in the centre of the sacrum. From the
sides of the muzzle a black baud edged with white, continued round the
orbit, and then downwards, obliquely over the dark brown cheeks.
Outside of the limbs indistinctly marked with black. On the elbows,
knees and heels a large round black spot. Posterior margin of the limbs
rose-coloured. Fingers and toes yellowish white with transverse black
bands. Palms and soles black. Throat and chest sooty with a large
white blotch on each side of the latter. Abdomen andinnerside of the
limbs sooty, vermiculated and spotted with white. Iris rich golden
brown, with minute black net -work. Pupil vertically rhomboidal. '
Habit. — Pinang.

Waaler's short description of M. Montana is drawn up from a pre-
served specimen, which apparently is also the case with that commu-
nicated in Erpetologie Generate. From the latter the present animal
differs both in colours and in the following particulars. The muzzle
forms a pointed lobe resembling the upper eyelids, but smaller. The
nostrils are transversely oval, protected by a membranous valve fixed
to their lower margin. The upper eyelids are perfectly smooth. The
nearly vertical cheeks are above bordered by an angular ridge termi-
nating near the shoulder ; behind by a short curved ridge, which at
the angle of the mouth forms a small pointed lobe. The back is
smooth without transversal folds, but bordered on each side by a sharp
whitish ridge commencing at the upper eyelid, converging towards the

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. Ill

cloacal orifice. On the shoulder, near the triangular tubercle, the
ridge is enclosed between two short black lines.

Two males were at different times captured on the Pentland Hills,
at an elevation of about 1800 ft. One was found in a dark room,
where it was observed remaining motionless during several successive
days. Its forms and colours caused it at first to be mistaken for a
withered leaf. The second was taken on a tree. The iris is vertically
contracted by exposure to the light. The male has no vocal sacs.
The larger was of the following dimensions :

Length of the head, 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 1-|-

Ditto ditto anterior extremities, 2

Ditto ditto posterior, 3f

FAM. HYLID.E.

Gen. Limnodytes,* Dumeril and Bibron.
Tongue long, narrowed in front, widened, forked, free behind ; teeth
on the vomer forming two groups, between the internal openings of the
nostrils ; tympanum distinct ; Eustachian tubes middling ; four fingers
free ; toes completely or partially webbed ; sub-digital disks slightly
dilated ; process of the first os cuneiforme blunt, very minute ; males
with vocal sacs ; sacral transversal processes not dilated.

Limnodytes erythr^eus, (Schlegel).

Syn. — Hyla erythxsea, Schlegel.

Hylarana erythrsea Tschudi.

Limnodytes erythrseus, Dumeril and Bibron.

Back and sides brown or reddish-olive ; a longitudinal silvery white
band from the eye to the loin ; a second similar from the nostrils,
parallel with the former. Beneath silvery white. The innerside of
the extremities spotted and lineated with brown. Iris golden brown ;
pupil vertically rhomboidal.

Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.
Java, Arracan.

Of three individuals observed, the largest was of the following dimen-
sions :

* This denomination lias with propriety been substituted for the inadmissible Hyla-
Rana, Tschudi.

142 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Length of the head, 0| inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, If

Ditto ditto anterior extremities, If

Ditto ditto posterior, 4f

Gen. Polypedates, Tschudi, apud Dumeril and Bibron.
Terminal joints of the fingers and toes widened into a large disk ;
fingers slightly webbed at their base ; Eustachian tubes large ; in other
particulars resembling Lhnnodytes.

Polypedates leucomystax, (Gravenhorst.)

Syn. — Hyla maeulata, Gray, Illust. Ind. Zool.
Hyla leucomystax, Gravenhorst.
Polypedates leucomystax, Tschudi, apud Dum. and Bibr.

Upper parts changeable : buff, ashy grey, chocolate brown, tinged
with rose-or lilac, minutely or largely spotted with black. Upper lips
white. A blackish band occupying the sides of the head, from the
muzzle to tympanum. Beneath whitish or grey, uniformly, or minutely
dotted with black. Posterior surface of the thighs blackish or vermis
culated with white. Iris silvery or buff; pupil horizontally rhom-
boidal.

Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula.
Malabar and Coromandel Coast, Bengal.

This species has the power of changing its colours as above described.
Although it inhabits Singapore and the sultry plains of Bengal, it appears
not to occur in the valleys at Pinang, but to affect the hills, at an elevation
of more than 2000 ft., with a mean annual temperature of about 71°

Length of the head, 0J- inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, If

Ditto ditto anterior extremities, If

Ditto ditto posterior, 4f

FAM. BUFONID.E, Fitzinger.
Gen. Bufo, Laurenti.

Body inflated ; skin warty ; parotids porous ; toes united by a rudi-
mentary membrane ; no teeth.

Bufo melanostictus, Schneider.

Syn. — Bufo scaber, Dauditi.

Bufo bengalensis, Daudiu.

Malayan Peninsula and Inlands. 143

Bufo scaber, Latreille.

Bufo scaber, Daudin, Hist. Rept.

Bufo bengalensis, Dauclin, Hist. Rept.

Le Crapaud de Bengale, Lesson.

Bufo dubia, Shaw, apud Gray, Illustr. Ind. Zool.

Bufo carinatus, Gray, Illustr. Ind. Zool.

Bufo inelanostictus, apud Gravenhorst.

Bufo scaber, Tschudi.

" Kakong," " Katak puru," of the Malays of the Peninsula.

Above earthy brown, grey or buff, in some marbled with black ;
lips, parotids, crests of the head, points of the tubercles, and last joints
of fingers and toes : sooty, or black. Beneath buff, in some vermicu-
lated with black. Iris golden brown ; pupil transversely rhombic.
Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Java, Tenasseriin, Bengal, Coromandel.
In the Malayan countries this species swarms in valleys and hills.
It has in a slight degree the power of changing its colours, and it utters
a chirping, plaintive sound. The largest individuals examined, mea-
sured—

Length of the head 1 i»ch-

Ditto ditto trunk, • • 3

Ditto ditto anterior extremities, 2|

Ditto ditto posterior extremities, 4|

Gen. IIyl;edactylus, Tschudi.
Tongue an oval disk, thick, free only at the lateral margins. Palatal
teeth. Eustachian tubes very minute. No parotids. Four free fingers
with the terminal joint widened, truncated. Five toes united at the
base by a very small membrane, the terminal joint not widened ; sole
with two soft tubercles between tarsus and metatarsus. Sacral trans-
versal processes forming triangular palettes.

HyL.EDACTYLUS B1VITTATUS, N. S.

Upper parts and outside of extremities brownish olive with distant
small black spots. Head from the muzzle to the middle of the orbit
whitish. A broad whitish band edged with black from the posterior
angle of the eye, along each side to the loins. A shorter, oblique,
similar band from the posterior angle of the eye. Beneath whitish,
vermiculated with brown. The throat of the males black. Iris golden
brown ; pupil transversally rhombic.
Habit. — Malayan Peninsula.

144 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

From H. baleatus, Tschudi, the present species differs both in
colours and in the following particulars. The profile from the nose to
coccyx forms a considerable arch, the highest part of which is the
centre of the back. The male is provided with a vocal sac, the large
openings of which are situated on each side of the tongue, and their
presence is easily detected by the laxity of the (black) skin of the'
throat, which forms a broad transversal fold. Between the small open-
ings of the Eustachian tubes the palate presents a considerable trans-
versal fold of the skin, the free margin of which is fringed, which gives
it the appearance of a row of teeth. A similar fold has been observed
by M. M. Dumeril and Bibrou in the genera Plectrojws, Dum. and
Bibr., and in Uperodon, Dum. and Bibr. In front of this fold is ano-
ther smaller, between the orbital protuberances. Behind each of the
large internal openings of the nostrils, is an arched bony ridge, which
in H. baleatus supports a few teeth. In the only individual of the pre-
sent species examined, the free margin of the ridge is cutting, but
without teeth. Over the symphysis of the lower jaw there is a small
pointed process, fitting into a corresponding cavity in the margin of
the upper jaw. In this species no less than in Uperodon marmoratum,
Dum. and Bibr. nearly the whole of the thigh is hidden by the skin
of the body, so that the posterior extremities are free but from a little
above the knees. This character does not appear to exist in Hylee-
dactylus baleatus, as it is not mentioned in the description of that
species by M. M. Dumeril and Bibron. On the anterior part of the
back appear some indistinct rounded elevations ; the rest of the upper
parts is smooth. The skin of the throat and abdomen presents num-
erous transversal wrinkles, and is covered with minute tubercles. The
toes are more slender than the fingers, and their last joint, although
flattened, is not so broad, as that of the fingers, which is of a somewhat
triangular form, truncated in front. In //. baleatus the fingers are
longer than the toes. In the present species however the longest
finger, the third, is nearly one-fourth shorter than the fourth toe.

The only individual which I had an opportunity of examining, after
its death, was a male taken in a field near Malacca. It was of the
following dimensions :

Length of the head, Of inch.

Ditto ditto trunk, 2|

Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

In a straight line from the muzzle to coc-
cyx, following the arch of the hack,. . 3^-
Length of the anterior extremities, ... 1-f-
Ditto ditto posterior extremities, follow-
ing the posterior margin, 2\

In the nomenclature adopted in the preceding Catalogue it has been
my wish strictly to adhere to the Rules proposed by the Committee of
the British Association for the Advancement of Science, published in
the Report of the twelveth Meeting, Rules with which I regret I was
unacquainted before the publication of the Catalogue of Malayan Mam-
malia.

I have to acknowledge my sense of obligation to the Ilon'ble Sii
William Norris, late Recorder of II. M. Court of Judicature in the
Straits of Malacca, to W. T. Lewis, Esq. Asst. Res. Councillor, Prince
of Wales Island, to W. Montgomerie, Esq., M. D. late Senior Surgeon^
Straits of Malacca, and to Capt. Congalton, H. C. Steamer Hooghly
for their assistance, to me so much more acceptable, as the limited
leisure left me by the superintendence of six Hospitals in Prince of
Wales Island, and a seventh in Province Welleslcy, was latterly curtailed,
by additional, extra-professional duties, imposed upon me by the present
local head authority in the Straits.

Fort William, June 1st, 1847.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
Pl. XX. Dilophyrus grandis, Gray.— (Natural size).
Pl. XL. Fig. 1. Calamaria longieeps, Cantor. — (Magnified.)

Fig, 2- Lycodon effrceuis, Cantor.— (Magnified).

Fig. 3. Dijisas boa, (H. Boie.) — (Natural size).

Fig. 4. Homalopsis kydrina, Cantor. — (Natural size).

Fig. 5. Homalopsis I ucobalia, Schlegel, Var. — (Natural size).

Fig. 6. Elaps melanurus, (Shaw )— (Natural size).

Fig. 7 Eldps nigromaculatus, Cantor. — (Natural size).

Fig. 8. Hydras nigrodnctus, (Daudin.) Var ? — (Natural size).

Fig. 9. Trigonocephalies sumatranus, (Raffles.) Var. — (Natural,
size).

ADDENDA.
P. 3. To Svn. Emys crassicollis, Bell, add : apud Horsfield : Life of

Raffles.
P. 8. To Gymnopus rjanyeticus, (Cuv.) add : Syx. Tripnyx ocellatus,

Hardwicke (Young), apud Jaquemont : Atlas: Pl. 9.
P. 16. To Syx. Crocodilus biporcatus, Cuv. add : apud Horsfield : I. c»
P. 56. To Syn. Python des isles de la Sonde, add : Cuvier, R. A.

Mti

Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

LATITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION OF REPTILES

Inhabiting the Malayan Peninsula and Islands and other Localities.

[tfjo. prefixed to localities signifies that they are inhabited by species of which
varieties occur in Malayan countries.]

CHELONIA.

1

Geoemyda spinnsa, Gray.

Pinang.

Sumatra.

2

Emys crassicollis, Bell, ms.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Sumatra, Java.

3

Emys platynuta, Gray.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Sumatra.

4

Emys trivittata, Dum.&Bibr.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Bengal, Assam.

5

Cisiudo am boinensis ,(Daud.)

Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula.

Java, Amboina, Philippines,
Tenasserim Provinces.

6

Tetratmyx affinis, Cantor.

Piiving.

7

Gymuopus gangeticns,(Cu.v.

i3inang, Malayan Pen
insula.

Rivers and Bay of Bengal.

8

Gy in n opus cartilayinew
"(Boddaert.)

'inang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Java, Dukbun, " India,"
" China."

9

Gymnopits indicus, (Gray.)

Pinang, Malayan Pen
insula.

Rivers of India, Philippines.

10

Chelonia virgata, Schweig
ger.

Malayan Seas.

Teneriffe, Rio Janeiro, Cape
of Good Hope, New York,
Indian Ocean, Red Sea.

11

' helonia imbricata, (Linne.

Malayan Seas.

Atlantic and Indian Ocean.

12

('helonia olivacea, Escb-
scholtz.

Malayan Seas.

Bay of Bengal, China Sea:

Crocodihis vulgaris, Cuv.
Var B, Dum. & Bibr.

SAURIA.

Malayan Peninsula & Java, Sumatra, Tenasserim,

Islands.

Bengal, Coromandel, Ma-
labar.

Crocodihis porosus, Schnei-
der.

Pinang, Singapore, S ycbelle Islands, Timor, Ja-

Malayan Peninsula

Platydnctylus higubris, Dum.
and Bibr.

Pinang.

AiPlatydactylus gecko, (Lin-
ne.)

Malayan Peninsula.

va, Sumatra, Tenasserim,
Bengal.

Otaheite.

Philippines, Java, Tenasse-
rim, Burmah, Bengal, Co-
romandel.

f> Plat'ydactylus stenior, Cantor Pinang.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

147

6

Platydactylus monarchns,
Schlegel.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula.

Philippines, Amboina, Bor-
neo.

7

Ptychozoon homalocephalum,
(Creveld.)

Pinang, Singapore.

Ramree Island (Arracan).

8

Hemidaclylus peronii, Dum.
and Bibr.

Pinang.

Isle of France.

9

Hemidactylus coctcei, Dum.
and Bibr.

Pinang.

Bengal, Bombay.

io

Hemidactylus frenatus,
Schlegel, MS.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsida

Amboina, Timor, Java, Ma-
rian Isles, Ceylon, Bengal,
Assam, South Africa, Ma-
dagascar.

11

Hemidactylus platyurus,
(Schneider.)

Pinang.

Philippines, Borneo, Java,
Bengal, Assam.

12

Gymnodactylus pulchellus,
(Gray.)

Pinang, Singapore.

13

VaranuH nebulosus, Dum.
and Bibr.

Pinang.

Java, Siain, Bengal.

14

Varanus flavescens, (Gray.)

Pinang.

Bengal, Nipal.

15

Varanus salvator, (Laurenti.)

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Philippines, Moluccas, Am-
boina, Java, Bengal, Assam.

1G

Bronchocela cristatella,
(Kuhl )

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula.

Amboina, Island of Buru,
Java, Sumatra.

17

Lophyrus arrnatus, (Gray.)

Pinang. Singapore.

Cochin -China.

18

Diluphyrus grandis, (Gray.)

Pinang.

Rangoon.

19

Draco volans, (Linne.)

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula.

Philippines, Borneo, Java.

20

Draco maculatus, (Gray.)

Pinang.

Tenasserim.

21

Leiolepis bellii, (Gray.)

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Cochin-China.

22

Eumeces punctatus, (Linne.)
Var.

Pinang, Singapore.
Malayan Peninsula.

8p. Coromandel, Malabar,
Bengal.

23

Euprepis rvfescens, (Shaw.)
Var. D, Dum. and Bibr.
Var. E, Dum. and Bibr.
Var. F, Dum. and Bibr.

1 Pinang, Singapore,
f Malayan Peninsula.

Sp. Sandwich Islands, Phi-
lippines, Timor, Celebes,
Borneo, Java, Coromandel,
Bengal.

24

Euprepis ernestii, Dum. and
Bibr.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Java.

2,r

Lyyosoma chalcides, (Liune.)

Pinang, Singapore.

Java.

14$

Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

OPHIDIA.

Innocuous.

1

Pilidion tineatum, (Boie.)

Pinang, Singapore.

Java.

2

Typhlops nigro-albus, Dum
and Bibr.

Pinang, Singapore.

Sumatra.

3

Typhlops braminus, (Dau
dm.)

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula.

Canton-Province, Philip-
pines, Guam (Marian
Isles), Java, Tenasserim.,
Bengal, Assam, Coroman-
del, Ceylon, Malabar.

4

Cylindropfiis rufus, Laurenti.

Singapore.

Java, Tranquebar, Bengal ?

5

Xenopeltis unicolor, Rein-
wardt.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula.

Celebes, Java, Sumatra.

6

Python reticulatus, (Schnei-
der.)

Malayan Peninsula &
Islands.

Chusan ? Amboina, Java,
Banka, Sumatra, Bengal ?

7

Acrochordus javanicus,
Hornstedt.

Pinang, Singapore.

Java.

8

Acrochordus granulatus,
(Schneider.)

Rivers and Sea of the
Malayan Peninsula
and Islands.

Bay of Manilla, New-Guinea,
Timor, Java, Sumatra,
Coromandel.

9

Calamaria lumbricoldea,
Schlegel, Var.

Pinang, Singapore.

Sp. Celebes, Java.

10

Calamaria linnei, Boie, Var.
Schlegel.

Pinang.

Java.

11

Calamaria lonyiceps, Cantor.

Pinang.

12

Calamaria sagittaria,Cantor .

Malayan Peninsula.

Bengal, Assam.

13

Coronella baliodeira, Schle-
gel.

Pinang.

Java.

14

Xenodon purpurascens,
Schlegel.

Pinang.

Java, Tenasserim.

Var. Chirra Punji, Assam,

Darjeling, Midnapore

(Bengal.)

15

Lycodon aulicus, (Linne.)
Var. A,
Var. B,
Var. C,
Var. D,

Pinang.

Pinang.

Pinang, Malayan Pen.

Pinang, Malayan Pen.

Malayan Peninsula.

Bengal, Coromandel.

Bengal.

Java, Tenasserim.

Pulo Samao, Timor.

Bengal.

16

Lycodon platurinus, (Shaw.)

Pinang. jJava, Bengal ?

17

Lycodon eff ranis, Cantor.

Pinang.

b

Coluber fasciolatus, Shaw.

Malayan Peninsula.

Coromandel.

19

20

21
22

23

24

Malayan Peninsula and Islands
Coluber radiatus, Schlegel.

149

Coluber korros, Reinwardt.

Coluber hexayonotns, Cantor.

Dipsas dendrophila, Rein-
wardt.

Dipsas multiiHaculala,Schle-
gel.

Dipsas cynodon, Cuvier.

25 Dipsas boa, Boie.
26

Hcrpelodryas oxycephalus,
(Reinwardt.)

27

Dryiuus prusinus, (Rein-
wardt.)

Pinang, Singapore.
Malayan Peninsula.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula,

Java, Sumatra, Cochin-Chi-
na, Tenasserim, Assam.

Java, Sumatra, Arracan, Te-
nasserim.

Pinang.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula.

Celebes, Java.

Pinang, Malayan Celebes, Java, Tenasserim,

Peninsula. Bengal.

Pinans:, .Malayan Java, Tenasserim.

Peninsula.

Pinang.

Pinang.

Malayan Peninsula &
1- ands.

Java.

Celebes, Ja\ a.

Var. A, S nne localities.

Var. B,
Var. C,

Pinang.
Pinang.

28

Leptophis pictus, (Gmelin.) Malayan Peninsula &

Islands.

29
30

31

32
33
34

Var. A,

Leptophis oaudaiinea/us,
Cantor.

Malayan Peninsula.

Pinang, Singapore.

Leptophis ornatus, (Shaw.)
Var.

Tropidonotus umbratus,
(Daudin.)

Var.

Tropidonotus stolalus, (hin-
ne.)

Tropidonotus schistosus,
(Daudin.)

Var.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
Peninsula.

Malayan Feninsula &
Islands.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Malayan Peninsula.
Same locality.

Tropidonotus cerasogaster, Malayan Peninsula.
(Cantor. )

Celebes. Java, Cochin-China,
Sinn, Burinah, Tenasserim,
Arracan, Bengal, Assam.

Same localities.

Manilla, New Ireland, Wai-
giou, Amboina, New-tjui-
nea, Pulo Samao, Java,
Sumatra. Cochin-China,
Tenasserim, Burniah, Ben-
gal, Assam, Coromandel.

Bengal, Assam, Ceylon.

Sp. Bengal, Ceylon.
Java, Sumatra, Tenasserim,
Arracan.

Sp. Bengal, Assam, Coro-
mandel, Ceylon.
Java, Bengal.

Ph ilippines, Tenasserim .Ben-
gal, Assam, Nipal, Coro-
mandel, Ceylon, Bombay.

Philippines, Tenasserim, Ben-
gal, Madagascar.
Same localities.

Bengal, Assam.

150

Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

35

Tropidonotusjunceus, cantor .

Pinang.

36

Homalopsis rhinchops,
(Schneider.)

Malayan Peninsula &
Islands.

New-Guinea, Amboina, Ti-
mor, Sarapua, Java, Su-
matra, Tenasserim, Bengal,
Coromandel.

37

Homalopsis buccata, (Linne.)

Pinnng, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Java.

38

Homalopsis sieboldi, Schlegel.

Malayan Peninsula.

Bengal;

39

Homalopsis enhydris,
(Schneider;)

Malayan Peninsula &
Islands.

Java, Tenasserim, Bengal,
Coromandel.

40

Homalopsis plumbea, Boie.

Pinang.

Java.

41

Homalopsis leucobalia,
Schlegel, Var.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Sp. Timor.

42

Homalopsis hydrina, Cantor.

Sea off Pinang and the
Malayan Peninsula.

43 I. Elaps metanurus, (Shaw.)

44
45

40
47

48

49
50
51

Ii. Elaps intestinalis, (Lau-
renti.) Var.

Venomous.

Malayan Peninsula. Tenasserim, Nerva, (Coro-

mundel.)

III. Elaps niyromaculatus,
Cantor.

IV. Elaps bivirgatus, Kuhl,
Var.

V. Bung arm flaviceps, J.
Reihhaidc.

VI. Bungurus candidus,
(^Linue.)

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula

Pinang, Singapore

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Pinang.

Malayan Peninsula.

VII. Bungarus fasciatus,
(Schneider.)

VIII. Hamadryas ophiopha-
gas, Cantor.

IX. Naja lutescens, Lau
renti.

Var. D, (Daudin.)
Var. nigra,

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula.

Sp. Java, Malwah, (Central
India.)

Sp. Java, Sumatra.

Java.

Java, Tenasserim, Bengal,
Assam, Coromandel, Cey-
lon, Malabar.

Java, Tenasserim, Bengal,

Coromandel.

Java, Sumatra, Bengal, As-
sam, Coromandel.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula
Pinang, Singapore.

Sp. Countries between the
Sutledj and Cape Como-
rin, Ceylon, Hindoostan
to Cape Romania, Suma-
tra, Java, Ternate, Boi -
neo, Philippines, Chusart.

Bengal, Coromandel.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

! 51

52 X. Trigonocephalies grami-
neus, (Shaw.)

Var.

53

54

55

XL Trigonocephalies suma-
tranus, (Raffles.) Var.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Penin-
sula.

Pinang, Singapore
Malayan Peninsula

Pinang, Singapore
Malayan Peninsula

New Holland, Timor, Pulo
Samao, Celebes, Eastern
Java, Banka, Sumatra,
Tenasserim, Bengal, Chir-
ra Punji, Nipal, Coroman-
del, Ceylon.

Sumatra, Tenasserim.

Sp. Sumatra.

XII. Trigonocephaly puni- Pinang, Singapore

ceus, Reinwardt.

XIII. Laticauda scutata,
Laureuti.

56 XIV. Hydrus striatus, (La
cepede.)

57 XV. Hydrus nigrocinclus,
(Daudin.)

Var. ?

58
59
60

61

XVI. Hydrus
Shaw.

gracilis.

XVII. Hydrus schistosus,
(Daudin.)

XVIII. Hydrus pelamidoi-
des, (Schlegel.)

Malayan Peninsula

Sea of the Malayan
Peninsula and Is-
lands.

lava.

Bay of Bengal, Sea of Ti-
mor, Celebes, Molucca,'
and Liewkiew Islands,
New Guinea, Tongataboo,
China Sea.

Sea of Pining, Ma-
layan Peninsula.

Sea of Pinang, Sin-
gapore, Malayan
Peninsula.

Sea off Pinang.

Sea of Malayan Pen-
insula and Islands

Sea of Malayan Pen-
insula and Islands.

Sea of Liewkiew Islands,
Timor, Sumatra, Bay of
Bengal.

Bay of Bengal, estuaries of
the Ganges.

Bay of Bengal, Malabar,
Sumatra, Borneo.

Sea of Malayan Pen-
insula and Islands

XIX. Hydrus bico/or, Sea of Malayan Pe
(Schneider.) insula.

Bay of Beng il, Malabar, Su-
matra.

Bay of Bengal, Sea of Cele-
bes, Molucca Islands, Chi-
na Sea.

Bay of Bengal, Sea of Suma-
tra, Java, Celebes, Mo-
luccas, China Sea (to 279
N. L.) Otaheite, Bay of
Port Jackson (33° 55' S.
L. 151° 25' E. L.)

BATRACHIA.

1

Ichthyophis glutinosus, (Lin-
ne.) Var. ?

Singapore.

Sp. Java, Ceylon, Assam.

2

liana leschenaulli, Dum. and
B.br.

Malayan Peninsula.

Bengal, Pondicherry.

3

Rmia tigrina, Daudin.

Malayan Peninsula
and Islands.

Coromandel, Bengal, As-
sam, Tenasserim, Java;
Sumatra, Timor, Philip-
pines, Canton Province.

J52

4

Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Sp. Java.

Megalophri/s montana, Wag- Pinang.
ler, Var.

Limnodytes erythrceus, (Malayan Peninsula.

(Schlegel.)

Polypedates leucomystax,
(Gravenhorst.)

Bufo melanosticlus, Schnei-
der.

Hyhedactylus bivittatus,
Cautor.

Pinang, Singapore,
Malayan Peninsula

Malayan Peninsula
and Islands.

Malayan Peninsula.

Java, Tenasserim, Arracan.

Bengal, Coromandel, Mala-
bar.

Java, Tenasserim, Bengal,
Coromandel.

ALTITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION OF REPTILES
Inhabiting the Malayan Peninsula and Islands, and other

Localities.

[The extra-Malayan localities have necessarily been confined to such of
which the elevation has been specified by authors, the Malayan are given
from personal observation.]

Prince of Wales Island (Pulo PfNANc), 5° 25' N. L. 100° 19' E.
Valley .- Mean annual temperature : 80° 03 Fahr. Average monthly ran^e
,of the thermometer : 11°; greatest daily range: 13°. Annual quantity of
.•am: 65.5 inch. (145 days).

Hills. Granite. Highest elevation (Western Hill) 2,500 ft. Mean an-
nual temperature 71°. Average monthly range of the thermometer 10° •
greatest daily range 9°. Annual quantity of rain : 116.6 inch (174 days).'
Vegetation even for a tropical distinguished by luxuriance, beauty and
.variety. Characteristic features : Filices. (Alsophila contaminans, Wal.—
Schiza>a dtchotoma,—Neuroplatyceros (Acrostichum) biforme, Desvontaine
Polypodiiun horsfieldii, Bennett.)

Pandanacese. (Freycinetia).

Taccaceae. (Tacca cristata, Jack).

Palmacese. (Areca catechu, Willd. Arenga saccharifera, Labill. Nipa
fruticans. Euoplus tigillaria, Jack. " Pinang Lawyer."* Calamus).

Scitamineae. (Hedychium sumatranum, Jack. Amomum biflorum, Jack).

Orchidaceae.

Taxaceae. (Dacrydium. Podocarpus).

Gnetaceae. (Gnetum gnemon. Gnetum brunonianumj.

Artocarpeae. (Phytoerene palmata,\Xn\. Phytocrene bracteata, Wal.)

[This species appears to be confined to the lower parts of the hills and the
.valleys]

JMepenthaceae. (Nepenthes distil I atoria. Nepenthes ampullaria, Jack).

Gesneraceae. (Didymocarpus crinitas, Jack).

Euphorbiaceae.

Corylaceae. (Quercus racemosa, Jack. Lithocarpus javensis, Blume).

* An undescribed dwarf palm, hitherto supposed to be confined to the hills of
f uiang. Ssir \\ llliaiu Norns found it on Mouut Ophir in 1847.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 153

Begoniaceae. {Begonia orbiculata, Jack).

Sterculiacea:. (Sterculia coccinea, Roxburgh. Durio Zibethinus, Lin.)

Dipteraceae. (Dipterocarpus).

Aurantiaceae. {Murray a paniculata, Loar).

Anacardiaceae. {Stagmaria verniciflua, Jack).

Connaracese. {Eurycoma longifolia, Jack).

Garcinieae.

Melastomaceae. (Melastoma bracteata, Jack. M. exigua, Jack. M. glauca,
Jack. Sonerila moluccana, Rob.)

Myrtaceae.

Singapore Island, 1° 24' N. L. 104° E. Mean annual temperature,
80°. Greatest daily range of thermometer : 10°. Annual number of raiuy
days : 185. Surface gently undulating. Sand-stone hills, indicating remote
convulsion ; highest hill (Bukit Timah) 530 ft , granite. In the valleys occur
vegetable and animal forms which at Pinang have been observed at or near
the summit of the hills, but not in the plains. Thus at Singapore, occur
Alsophila, Schizaza, Tacca cristata, Gnetum, Nepenthes, Begonia, Eurycoma
and others, which at Pinang appear to affect a much greater elevation. In-
stances of Reptiles in common to the plains of Singapore and the hills of
Pinang are : Ptychozoon homalocephalum, Gymnodactylus pulchellus, Lygoso-
ma chalcides, Pilidion lineatum, Typhlops nigro-albus, Calamaria lumbricoi-
dea, Var. Leptophis caudalineatus, Elaps intestinalis, Elaps nigromaculatus.

Malayan Peninsula. Geographically, not politically, from 12° N. L.
between 98° and 104° E. computed to about 80,000 square miles, or about
4000 square miles less than Great Britain. Zoological information has
hitherto been confined almost exclusively to the plains of the western part.
The productions of the chain of mountains dividing the Peninsula, and ter-
minating in Cape Romania in 1° 17' N. L. (Point Bums in 1° 15' N. L.)
are almost entirely unknown. The late Mr. Griffith on a visit in the early-
part of 1842 to mount Ophir (Gtinong Ledang in about 2° 30' N. L. on the
eastern boundary of the district of Malacca, granite, and computed about
4000 ft.) made the interesting discovery that from 1500 ft. and upwards the
vegetation changes completely, and in many respects assumes a Polynesian
or Australian character. Early in 184/ Lieutenant Colonel James Low
visited Keddah Peak, {Gunong Jerai,) opposite to the town of Keddah, in
about 6° 5' N. L. which he observes is not granite, but stratified, abounding
in minerals. According to observation of the boiling point of water, the
summit, a small platform on the edge of the strata, is 5,7052 ft. above the
sea. Towards the summit the vegetation becomes very stunted and par-
takes of Australian character.* Colonel Low further observes that during
the ascent he did not see a single animal, but found foot prints of a Rhino-
ceros, smaller than usual, he supposes, up to the very summit. To a casual
visiter of the Malayan hill forest, during the day, the paucity of animals is
a striking feature. The noonday light subdued by the dense foliage of the
towering stems, gives to the scene a sombre character, heightened by the
unseen denizons. Their presence is manifested in the shrill vibrations of
Cicadae, one of which on the Pinang hills is noted for its resemblance to the
cavalry trumpet, the call of the Tupai, the dismal tap of the gigantic wood-
pecker, the creaking Bight of a Buceros, or the retreat of frightened Semno-
pithecs.

* A collection of plants from the summit of the mountain, with which Colonel Low
favoured me, were examined by Capt. Munro, H. M. 39th Regiment, the only botanist
ai present in Calcutta, previously to their being despatched to the Royal Gardens, kew.

154

Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

SAURIA.

Species.

CHELONIA.
Hills.

Plains.

Geoernyda spinosa, Gray.

Pinang.

JEmys crassicollis, Bell, MS.

Ponds and rivulets Malayan
Peninsula, Pinang.

Eniys ptatynota, Gray.

Malayan Peninsula, Pinang.

Emys trivittata, Dum. & Bibr.

Ponds and rivers Malayan
Peninsula, Pinang, Bengal.

Cistudo amboinensis, (Daud.)

Ditto ditto.

Tetraonyx aj/inis, Cantor.

Sea off Pinang.

Gymnopus gangeticus, (Cuvier.)

Rivers and sea-coast Malayan
Peninsula, Bengal.

Gymnopus cartilagineus, (Bod-
daert.)

Ponds and rivers Malayan
Peninsula, Pinang, Java,
Dukhun, "India," "Chi-
na."

Gymnopus indicus, (Gray.)

Rivers, estuaries and sea-coast
Malayan Peninsula, Pi-
nang, India, Philippine
Islands.

Chelonia virgata, Schw.
Chelonia imbricata, (Lin.)
Chelonia olivacea, Eschscholtz.

>Sea.

Crocodilus vulgaris, Cuv. Var.
B, Dum. & Bibr.

Rivers, estuaries and sea-
■ coast Malayan Peninsula
and Islands, Java, Suma-
tra, Tenasserim, Bengal,
Coromandel, Malabar.

Crocodilus porosus, Schneider.

Ditto ditto aud Seychelle Is-
lands, Timor.

Platydactylus luyubris, Dum.
& Bibr.

Pinang.

Platydactylus yecko, (Linne.)

Malayan Peninsula, Bengal.

Platydactylus stentor, Cantor.

Pinang.

Platydactylus monarchus,
Schlegel.

Pinang.

Pinung, Malayan Peninsula,
Singapore.

Ptychozoon homalocephalum,
(Creveld.)

Pinang.

Singapore.

Hemidactylus peronii, Durn. &
Bibr.

Pinang.

Hemidactylus coctcei, Dum. &
Bibr.

Pinang, Bengal.

Hemidactylus frenatus, Schle-
gel, MS.

Pinang.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula, Bengal.

Hemidactylus platyurus,
(Schneider.)

Pinang, Bengal.

Gymnodactylus pulchellus,
(Gray.)

Pinang.

Singapore.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

loo

Species.

Varanus nebulosus, Dum. &
Bibr.

Varanus flavescens, (Gray.)

Varanus salvator (Laurenti.)

Hills.

Pinang.

Bronchocela cristatella, (Kuhl

Lophyrus armalus, (Gray.

Dilophyrus grandis, Gray.

Draco volans, Linne.

Draco niaculatus, (Gray.)

Leiolepis bellii, (Gray.)

Eumeces punctatus, (Liu.) Var,

Euprepis rufescens, (Shaw.)

Var D, Dum. & Bibr.
Var E, Dum. & Bibr.
Var F, Dum. & Bibr.

Pinang.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

inang.

'inang.

Pinang.

Plains.

Bengal.

Pinang, Bengal.

Malayan Peninsula, Bengal.

Malayan Peninsula, Singa-
pore.

Pinang, Singapore.

Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Pi

nang.

Pinang, Malayan Peninsula,
Singapore.

1 Pinang, Malayan Peninsu-
J la, Singapore.

Euprepis ernestii, Dum. and
Bibr.

Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Lygosoma chalcides, (Linne.) [Pinang.

OPHIDIA.

Innocuous.

Singapore.

Pilidion lineatum, (Boie.)

Pinang.

Singapore.

Typhlops nigro-albus, Dum. &
Bibr.

Pinang.

Singapore.

Typhlops braminus, (Daudin.)

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula, Bengal, Assam.

Cylindrophis rvfus, (Laurenti.)

Singapore,Tra iqubar, Bengal.

Xenopeltis unicolor, Reinwardt.

Pinang.

Singapore, Malayan Penin-
sula.

Python reticulatus,(iichtit:idtv.)

Pinang, Malayan Pen
insula.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula, Bengal ?

Acrochordus javanicus, Horn-
stedt.

Pinang.

Singapore, Java.

Acrochordus granulalus,
(Schneider.)

-

Rivera and Sea-coast of Ma-
layan Peninsula and Is-
lands, New-Guinea, Timor,
Java, Sumatra, Coroman-
del, Bay of Manilla.

Calamaria lumbricoidea , Schle-
gel, Var.

Pinang.

Singapore.

Calamaria linnei, Boie, Var,
Schlegel.

Pinang.

Java.

[

Calamaria longiceps, Cantor.

Pinang.

Calamaria sagittaria. Cantor.

Malayan Peninsula, Bengal.

Coronelta baliodeira, Schlegel.

Pinang.

156

Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the

Species.

Hills.

Plains.

Xenodon purpurascens, Sehle-
gel.

Pinang.

Java.

Lycodon aulicus, (Linne.)

Var. A,
Var. B,
Var. C,

Var. D,

Pinang.

Pinang.
Pinang.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Pinang, Malayan Peninsula,

Bengal.
Pinang, Bengal.
Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.
Pinang, Malayan Peninsula.

Malayan Peninsula, Bengal.

Lycodon platurinus, (Shaw.)

Pinang.

Bengal ?

Lycodon effreenis, Cautor.

Pinang.

Coluber jasciolatus, Shaw.

Malayan Peninsula, Coro-
mandel.

Coluber radiatus, Schlrgel.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula.

Coluber korros, Reinwardt.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula.

Coluber hexayonotns. Cantor.

Pinang.

JJipsus dendrophita, Reinwardt.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Pinang, Singapoie, Malayan
Peninsula, Java.

Dipsas multimaculata, Ssehle-
gel.

Pinang-

Malayan Peninsula.

Dipsas cynodon, Cuvier.

Pinang.

Malayan Peninsula.

Dipsas boa, Boie.

Pinang.

Java.

Herpetodryas oxycephalies,
(Reinwardt.)

Pinang.

Dryinus prasinus, (Reinwardt.)

Var. A,
Var. B,
Var. C,

Malayan Peninsula

and Islands.
Ditto.
Pinang.
Pinang.

Malayan Peninsula and Is-
lands.
Ditto.

Leptophis pictus, (Gmelin.)
Var. A,

Malayan Peninsula

and Islands.
Ditto.

Malayan Peninsula and Is-
lands, Bengal.
Ditto.

Leptophis caudalineatus, Can-
tor.

Pinang.

Singapore.

Leptophis ornatus, (Shaw.) Far.

Pinang.

Malayan Peninsula.

Tropidonotus umbratus ,(Daud.)
Var.

Malayan Peninsula and Is-
lands, Java, Bengal.

Tropidonotus stulatus, (Linne.)

Pinang, Malayan Peninsula,
Bengal, Nipal, Coroman-
del, Bombay.

Tropidonotus schistosus, (Dau.)
Var.

Malayan Peninsula, Bengal.
Ditto ditto.

Tropidonotus cerasoyaster,
(Cantor.)

Malayan Peninsula, Bengal.

Tropidonotus junceus, Cantor.

Pinang.

Homalopsis.

All the Malayan species in-
habit fresh-water, rivers,
estuaries or the sea-coast,
as noted under each.

Species.

Malayan Peninsula and Islands.

Venomous.
Hills.

15;

Elaps melanurns, (Shaw.)

Plains.

Elaps inteatinalis, (Laurenti.) Pinang.
Var.

Elaps nit/romaculatus. Cantor. Pinang.
Elaps biviff/atus, Kuhl. Ver. [ Pinang.

.Malayan Peninsula, Tenasse
rim, Nerva.

Singapore, Malayan Penin-
sula, Sp. Java, Mai wah,
(Central India.)

Singapore.

Malayan Peninsula.

Bunyarus flaviceps, J. Rein-
wardt.

Pinang.

Bungarus candidus, (Linne.)

Malayan Peninsula, Bengal,
Coromandel, Malabar.

Bungarus fasciatus, (Schnei-
der.)

Pinang, Malayan Peninsula,
Bengal, Coromandel.

Hamadryas ophiophagus, Can- Pinang.
tor.

Singapore, Malayan Penin-
sula, Bengal.

Naja lutescens, Laurenti. Var.
D. (Daud.)

Var. nigra.

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Pinang.

Pinang, Singapore, .Malayan
Peninsula, Bengal, Coro-
mandel.

Pinang, Singapore.

Trigonocephalies gramineus,
(Shaw.)

Var.

Pin;mg, Malayan Pen-
insula, ChirraPunji.
Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula, Bengal, Nipal.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula.

Trigonocephalies sumatr anus,
(Raffles.) Var.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula. Sp. Sumatra.

Trigonocephalus puniceus,
Reinwardt.

Pinang, Singapore, Malayan
Peninsula.

Laticauda Hydrus.

All species inhabit the sea or
estuaries.

Ichthyophis glutinosus, (Linne.)
Var?

BATRACHIA.

Singapore.

Rana leschenautti, Dum. and
Bibr.

Malayan Peninsula, Bengal,
Pondicherry.

Rana tiyrina, Daudin.

Malayan Peninsula &
Islands.

Malayan Peninsula and Is-
lands, Bengal.

Megalophrys montana, Wagler,
Var.

Piuaug, Sp. Java.

Limnodytes erythrceus, (Scble-
gel.)

Malayan Peninsula.

Polypedates leucomystax, (Gra-
venhorst.)

Pinang, Malayan Pen-
insula.

Singapore, Malayan Penin-
sula, Bengal.

Bufo melanostictus, Schneider.

Malayan Peninsula
and Islands.

Malayan Peninsula and Is-
lands, Bengal.

JJylce.dactylus bivittatus, Can-
tor.

Malayan Peninsula.