HARVARD UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

OF THE

Museum of Comparative Zoology

DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE

OF THE

9

REPTILES OF BRITISH INDIA.

BY

WILLIAM THEOBALD, Esq.,

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA.

CALCUTTA:
T HACKER, SPINK AND CO.

Bombay: THACKER, VINING & CO. London: W. THACKER & CO.

1876.

'R-l

CALCUTTA:
PRINTED BY XHACKKK, SPINK AND CO.

PREFACE.

In compiling the present Catalogue my object lias been
to meet a want which at present blocks the way to the
general study of Herpetology in India, and to supply in
an accessible and portable form such a condensed descrip-
tion of our Indian Reptiles as may enable any one
interested in the Fauna of his locality to acquaint him-
self with the Reptiles he meets with. Some such work,
indeed, as that now offered, is the indispensable precursor
of a more complete and exhaustive work, for which, at
present, our materials are wholly inadequate ; and the
main benefit I anticipate from the present publication is,
that it may be the means of conducing to the formation of
a large mass of notes, especially such as refer to distribu-
tion of species, from men who are at present unable to
make trustworthy observations simply from the bulky
or inaccessible nature of the books which treat of this
division of the animal kingdom.

The present Catalogue is based on Giinther's Monograph,
published by the Ray Society in 1864. But though
a great addition has been made to the Indian Reptile
Fauna since that period, yet the total number of species
in the present Catalogue will not greatly exceed those
described by Giinther, from the fact that considerably
more than 100 species (exclusive of Hydrophidae which
with Batrachia I do not at present intend to include),
enumerated by Giinther, are excluded by me on geogra-
phical grounds.

IV PREFACE.

My descriptions of species will be found to vary
greatly in length and as regards the amount of detail
given; but this is intentional, as my object is not to
give an exhaustive description of any species, but
merely such a description, and so much detail of its
structure, as will enable the student to specifically
determine it, my object being the production of a useful
working student's handbook, ratlier than a more preten-
tious Zoological monograph, which must be the work of
some future decade ; at the same time I am so conscious of
its many shortcomings, that nothing but my urgent sense
of the want of some such work emboldens me to come
forward with what I cannot but think will be an accept-
able contribution to brother naturalists in India, interest-
ed in this branch of natural science, or the class of
men as they have been contemptuously described, who
are "desirous of acquainting themselves with animals."
(Zoological Record, 1868, p. 5.)

As for my critics, 1 fully admit, what they will no
doubt put with great force, in a variety of shapes, that ' the
book would have been better written, if the author had
taken more pains,' but as one specimen of the difficulties
a compiler has to encounter in India, I may mention that
there is no complete copy in Calcutta of the Madras
Quarterly and Monthly Journal of Medical Science, in
which Beddome's original descriptions of South Indian
Keptiles appeared, and it was only as these pages were
going through the Press, that I managed to get some of the
numbers I required. Some critics, no doubt, with that
mixture of pertness, flavoured with Boeotian ignorance of
Indian surroundings and drawbacks, and that inapprecia-

PREFACE. V

tion of the labours of Indian observers, wliich form almost
a specific character of some specimens of the animal in
Europe, may affect surprise, at my not waiting till I
was in a position to make the work more satisfactory and
complete ; but as a matter of fact, an Indian official who
compiles a work like the present, at odd hours snatched
from other duties, whilst waiting maybe for a break in the
weather to march, or whilst better men are busy saying
their prayers, cannot select his own time and place, and as
it is quite uncertain when I may again revisit the Presi-
dency Capital, where alone such a work can be got out
within any reasonable time, it became simply a question of
doing the best under the circumstances, or doing nothing,
and I leave it to the unbiased reader to determine whether
I have adopted the wiser course of the two.

To the kind friends who have taken the trouble to aid
me in the present undertaking I tender my grateful
thanks, expressing a regret however, that the number of
my creditors in this respect does not bear a more
encouraging proportion to the numbers of educated, not
to say scientifically trained men, scattered either in a
military, medical, or administrative capacity over the
enormous area of our Indian Empire. My main contri-
butors are Col. Nelson Davies, Akyab ; Capt. William-
son, Tura ; Major Swiney, Palamkotta ; Dr. Hunger-
ford, Thaietmio ; A. Theobald, Esq., Madras ; A.
Hough, Esq., Mallewoon ; A. Anderson, Esq., Futteh-
gurh ; J. Wood-Mason, Esq., W. T. Blanford, Esq., of
Calcutta, and J. Cockburn, Esq., Allahabad.

ERRATA ET ADDENDA.

Page 6, before " Chaibassia," insert: —
" G. Arakana, N. S.

" Head covered with skin, without plates. Uniform pale brown. Upper
jaw bidenticulate in front. Skin of body greenish brown. Pupil large,
black, with a pale iris, encircled by a ring of dark umber. Claws of hind
feet very long. Shell above flat, with a well marked vertebral ridge and a
somewhat gibbous costal ridge down each side, quite as pi-ominent as the
vertebral ridge, though less sharply defined. Nuchal plate pointed before,
triangular. Shell smooth in front, serrated behind The three first vertebrals
subequal, the fourth smallest; all concentrically grooved, and rateably
striated from a posterior umbo. The last vertebral is nearly as broad as four
marginals. Gulars small, not half as long as the postgulars. Abdominals rather
larger than Pectorals. Notch in caudals larger than a right angle. Colour
above yellowish, dark mottled. Below, yellow, black mottled along the sides.
An aged female measured 9-5 inches in a straight line.

" Inhabits Akyab."

Page 10, for " crassilabris," read " crassicollia."

Page 31 : —

" T. Phayrei, Theob.
*' It is not improbable that this is the T Gangeticus apud Cantor, said to
occur at Pinang."

D*

Page 31, add at bottom : —

"T. ephippium, Theob. Pro. A. S. B., August 1875.
" Young only known, and recognised by a rather irregular saddle-shaped
dark patch on the back, which fades on the shell drying. No ocelli.
" Inhabits Tenasserim."

Page 33 :—

" Gharialis Gangeticus.

*' It is generally supposed that the long nosed fish eating Ghainal will not
attack man, but Capt. Gordon Young, Deputy Commissioner of Hushiapur, told
me that one of these creatures attacked a man who was crossing a shallow
stream, close to the Duke of Edinburgh's Sporting Camp near the Nipal
frontier. The man's cries attracted the notice of a Sepoy, who, running up,

Vlll ERRATA ET ADDENDA.

discharged bis gun into tbe animal, and then attacked it witli the bayonet in
the shallow water. It received, however, its coup de grace from Capt. Gordon
Young's rifle, and its spoils became the possession of the Duke. The animal
was about 18 feet (I think\ and this instance is sufficient to prove that it
occasionally at all events will attack men.

" It is well to bear in mind that animals seized by crocodiles always perish
by drowning, as they are, unless accidentally rescued, at once dragged
beneath the water and held there till they perish, the crocodile delaying his
meal till putrefaction sets in, and renders easier the process of tearing off
the flesh of the victim. When, therefore, bodies said to have been killed by
crocodiles are brought to a surgeon, the condition of the lungs will at once
prove if the victim was seized and lacerated as stated ; but if no signs of
asphyxia are present, then it may safely be concluded that death had occurred
prior to the body being attacked by these animals."

Page 51, at bottom, add : —

" E. rugifera Stol., J. A. S., 1870, Part II, p. 1 70.

" Body moderately stout. Fore limbs feeble, reaching 'when laid forward
to the front-angle of the eye. The prefrontal forms a narrow suture with
the rostal, the first praeocular, and the vertical. Post frontals separated ;
in contact with the two loreals. Nostril large round. Two loreals, the
posterior one, much the largest. Five occipituls. The two first narrow,
the median broadly oval, small, the two last very large. Scales in 26
longitudinal rows ; round the body, large ; on the back and sides strongly
5-keeled, and in 23 transverse rows. 8 rows of scales on the belly smooth.

" Colour dark brown, paler on the head. A narrow streak of greenish from
the superciliary edge along the anterior part of body, with a similar one below
it, both margined with brown. Two indistinct bands along the back. Upper
labials yellowish. Belly yellowish white with a greenish irridescent tinge.

" Grows to nearly 5 inches (tail 2'75).

" Inhabits Kamarta, Nikobars."

Page 60, for " E. macrotis," read " M. macrotis," and before it insert : —
" M. Ladakensis, Gthr.

" Scales in 38 longitudinal rows, and 56 transverse. A pair of large anals
covering the vent. Subcaudals broad. Ear denticulated in front. Limbs
well developed. The fore-leg extends to the snout, the hind, more than half
way to the axilla.

" Colour greenish with longitudinal rows of black dots. Sides obscurely
banded. Belly greenish white.

" Type imperfect (head and body 2 inches).

" Inhabits Ladak."

Pige 65, for " cyanelia," read " cyanella."

ERRATA ET ADDENDA. IX

Page 78, at bottom, add : —
" DoBYURA, Gray.

•' Tall depressed, uniformly granular above ; denticulated on the edge, and a
median row of enlarged scales below.

" D. Berdmorei, Blyth.

^'Leiurus Berdmorei Blyth, J. A. S., xxii, p. 646.

Back covered with minute, equal, granular scales. Tail depressed, tapering,
slender ; colour grey, with some indistinct dark markings about the head, and
a dark stripe from behind the eye, forming a conspicuous interrupted or
cateniform band down each side, and continued along the tail.

" Grows to 4 inches (tail 2).

" Inhabits Pegu and Tenasserim.

"D. Gaudama, Theob. Jour. Lin. Soc, vol. x, p. 30.
" Back covered with minute, equal, granular scales. Tail convex above,
flattish below, not so slender as in Berdmorei, covered above and alono- its
eilges below with minute granular scales ; tail segmented, minutely denticulate
and with an obsolete marginal spine at the hind edge of each seo^ment.
Femoral pores 19 on each thigh, in a slightly curved line, separated on the
pubes. Colour grey without definite markings. Grows to 4 inches.

"Inhabits the Sittoung valley near Tounghu — ^Pegu).
" D. Karenorum, Theob. Jour. Lin. Soc, vol. x, p. 30.

" Back granular, regularly shagreened with about 20 rows of small whitish
tubercles. Sides keeled, tail sharp-edged, segmented and denticulate, seo-ments
armed above with small spinous tubercles in transverse rows. Skin of ham
slightly expanded. Colour grey, with dark streaks on the back and limbs,
which fade after death.

" No distinct femoral pores existed in this male adult, but only some 10 or 12
faint pittings on each thigh, separated by some larger smooth scales in the
pubic region. In the female the spines on the tail are less developed.

"Grows to 4-20 inches (tail 2-1).

" Two specimens only captured near Tounghu."

Page 85, remove, " H. subtricdrus, Jerdon" to page 75, where it is briefly
described.

Page 117, for " menurusla" read "melanarus."

Page 168, for "mucosas" read "mucosus."

The following Reptiles (non-Indian ones in italics) were collected by the
late Dr. F, Stoliczka when on the Yunan Mission, and are recorded and

ERRATA ET ADDENDA.

described by W. T. Blanford, Esq., in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of
Bengal, Part IL, No. 3, 1875, page 191 : —

Stellio Himalayanus
S. tuberculatus
S, Agnii'ensis
S. Sltoliczkanus
Pbrynocephalus Theobaldi

SAURIA.

... Ladak.

Pir Pangal &c.

... Jliilum valley in Kashmir.

Plains of Eastern Turkestan.
... Ladak, Kuenluen, Eastern
Turkestan, Saricol.

Blanford considers this a distinct species with the following synonym : —

P. caudivolvulus Guiither nee Pallas.
P. Sloliczhai Steindachner.
P. caudivolvulus Pall apud Anderson.
P. Forsythi Anderson.

P. axillaris, W. T. Blanford
Teratoscincus Keyserlingii ...

Gymnodactylus, StoliczkaB
Cyrtodactylus Yarkandensis, Anderson ...
G. elongatus, W. T. Blanford

Plains of Eastern Turkestan.
Eastern Turkestan.
Ladak.

Does not inhabit Yarkend !
Gangihissar, Eastern Tur-
kestan.
Eastei'n Turkestan.
Eastern Turkestan.

Eastern Turkestan. [Kashmir.
Hills between Marl and
Mari-Kashmir.

G. microtis, W. T. Blanford ...

Eremias Yarkandensis, W. T. Blanford...

E. caruleo ocellata, Anderson.

E. vermicnlata, W. T. Blanford ...

Eumeces tseniolatus

Mocoa Himalayana

M. Stoliczkai Stein.

M. Kargilensis Stein.

Eumxces Ladahensis Anderson.

Perhaps identical with E. Ladakensis Gunther, but in not one of 24
specimens, does the fore-foot reach the end of the snout.

OPHIDIA.

Typhlops porrectus (?)

Compsosoraa Hodgsoni
Ply as mucosus

Zamenis Ravergicri (coluber)
Tropidonotus hydrus
T. platyceps

Taphromelopum lineolatum
Vipera obtusa. Dwigubsky
V. Euphratica Martin.
Halys Himalayanus

Between Marl and Kashmir.

Kashmir.

Kashmir.

Eastern Turkestan.

Eastex-n Turkestan.

Mari and Kashmir.

Eastern Turkestan.

Kashmir \^)

Mari and Kashmir.

DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE

OF

THE REPTILES OF BRITISH INDIA.

Reptiles proper (excluding Batrachia) are cold-blooded
vertebrata, which undergo no metamorphosis, and breathe air by
lungs, during their whole existence. They are divided into three
orders — Chelonia, Sauria, and Ophidia.

Order Chelonia.

Reptile-s with bones of the thorax united into a solid shield.
This shield is formed by the more or less complete anchylosis of
the vertebrae and ribs, and is termed the carapace. In some
families the thorax and sternum, or lower plate, are united into
one bony case ; in others, the union of thorax and sternum is car-
tilaginous only. Cervical and caudal vertebrae alone free and
mobile. Occipital condyle .single. Reproductive organ of male
single, and lodged within the vesico-genital cloaca, with a
seminal groove only ; the urinary products being passed with the
faeces per cloacam. Oviparous. Vent circular. Food — vegetable,
animal, or mixed.

Family Testudinid^.

Terrestrial chelonians, with thick clubbed feet, adapted for
walking on land. Herbivorous. Hind feet of some species partly
webbed. Thorax and sternum united into a solid bony case.
Sternum concave in males, fiat in females. Habits terrestrial,
only occasionally resort to water. Herbivorous. Eggs white,
cylindrical, hard shelled.

( 2 )
Testudo, Oppel.

Caudal plate single. Toes five before, four behind.
(The Asiatic species have been separated by Gray under the
generic name of Peltastes.)

T. elegans. Schoepf.

T. geometrica, Hidton. J. A. S., vol. 6, p. 689, pi. 38.

T. megalopus, Blyth. J. A. S., vol. 22, p. 640.

T. stellata 8chw o.pud, Blyth. 3. A. S., vol. 22, p. 640,

No nuchal plate. In many adults, the plates are elevated into
prominent humps with corresponding concavities inside ; colour
black, with yellow areolae, and yellow streaks elegantly radiating
therefrom. In the young, the ground-colour is yellow. Areolge
of vertebral plates, central, of the costals, towards the upper
margin, of the marginal plates in the lower posterior corner.
Specimens rarely exceed 12 inches in length. Oviposits in
November, laying four eggs.

Inhabits Peninsular India and Ceylon, but not Lower Bengal.

From Mr. Blyth's remarks it would seem that the character
which mainly separates this species from geometrica — the absence
of a nuchal plate — is a rather doubtful one, as specimens of geo-
metrica presented from South Africa {a and b of my Catalogue
of Rep. in Mus., As. Soc. B.) have likewise no nuchal plate. The
identity of geometrica and elegans, if established, will consider-
ably militate against Dr. Gray's arrangement of them under
different sub-genera — (Chersonella and Peltastes).

T. platynotus, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1863, p. 83.
No nuchal plate : aspect very like elegans, but the shell in
adults remarkably flat ; in the young and half-grown, arched and
globose. Colour black, with yellow rays. The first vertebral
and last costal plates 5-rayed. The last vertebral and first costal
7-rayed. Head yellow, with one large vertical and two large
occipital shields. Pupil large, dark, with narrow brown iris.
Specimens rarely attain 12 inches.

Inhabits Northern Pegu and Upper Burmah.

( ^ )

T. elongata, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 639.

Nuchal plate long and narrow. Colour of adults, pale yellow,
black mottled, with no trace of rays, and in aged specimens very
little black. Head yellow, with soft skin of eyes and nostrils
pink. Two large frontals and a large vertical shield. Shell elon-
gate, smooth, sides parallel in females, narrowed anteriorly in
males. Length rarely exceeds 12 inches.

Inhabits Pegu and Tenasserim, growing slightly larger in the
latter Province. It does not inhabit India as incorrectly stated
by Gray in the Sup., Cat. S. R.

T. Leithii, Glinther. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 502, f. 1, 2, 3.

Nuchal plate triangular. Shell broadly ovate, arched, the con-
vexity of the upper shell stopping at the caudal plate, which is
almost flat and forms a convex curve with the last vertebral. Plates
smooth, but with concentric striae distinct. Abdominals as long-
as the gulars, postgulars and pectorals together. Colour yellow,
each vertebral and costal plate with a black margin in front and
on the sides, but not posteriorly. Marginal plates black mar-
gined anteriorly. Sternum entirely yellow, with a broad cunei
form longitudinal black band in the middle of each abdominal
plate with its apex behind. Length 4'75 inches.

Inhabits Synd. Dr. Gray remarks that he " can see no
difference between this and a young specimen of Peltastes
tnarginatus" save in its brighter colouration. — Sup., Cat. S. R.,

p. 12.

HoMOPUS, Dumeril et Bibron.

Characters of Testudo, but claws four only on forefeet.

H. Horsfieldii, Gray. Cat. Tor. Croc, &c., 1844, p. 7.

H. Burnesii, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 642.

Testudo Horsfieldii, Gray. P. Z. S., 1861, p. 214.

Testudinella Horsfeildii, Gray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 12.
Nuchal plate narrow. Areolae of vertebral plates behind the
centre, of the costals in the upper posterior corner, of the lateral
marginal plates in the lower posterior corner, whilst those of the
hinder ones occupy the centre. Colour of young, dull yellow
throughout; of adult yellow, with nuclei black; plates beneath

( 4 )

black, Avith yellow borders. Gunther likens this species to
T. grceca. Length of Sir A. Burne's specimen in the Asiatic
Society's Museum, 6 inches.

Inhabits Afghanistan, and according to Gunther, Nipal, on the
authority of a drawing belonging to Brian H. Hodgson, Esq.

Manouria, Gray.

Assuming the correctness of Dr. Anderson's views (P. Z. S.,
Lon., May 1871) the emended characters of the genus will stand
thus.

General characters much as in Testudo, but with the caudal
plate divided. Pectoral plates separated in males, but tangential
to each other in females. Claws five before, four behind. Hind
toes webbed.

M. emys Mlill et Schl.

TeMudo Phayrei, Blytli. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 639.
Teetudo Phayrei, Blyth. Anderson, P. Z. S., May 1871.
Scaphia Falconeri, Gray. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 167.
Testudo emys Mull et Sch. Anderson, P. Z. S., Feb. 1872.
Sca2)hia gigantea, Gray. Cat. S. R., p. 18. (P. Z. S., 1873,
p. 725) ! !

Nuchal plate broad. Four first vertebrals hexagonal; the
last septagonal, owing to the double caudal. Vertebral and
costal plates, with a central areola, surrounded by concentric
stride of growth. Colour of young shells dull, olive brown,
with horny areolae ; of adults, wholly black. Grows to 20 inches
length.

Inhabits Assam, the Naga Hills, Kachar, Arakan, the
Malayan Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, &c.

Those who desire to follow the controversy which followed my
identification of the type skull of Gray's genus Scaphia with the
missing skull of Bly th's T. Phayrei, may consult the pages of the
Athena3um for November 1870, and February and March 1871 ;
the Proceedings, Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1874, p. 75 ; and the
Appendix to the Catalogue of Shield Reptiles, p. 7.

( 5 )

Geomyda, Gray.

Shell with the general characters of Testudo. Sternum con-
cave in males, Hat in females, but with divided caudals, and hind
toes webbed. Zygomatic arch none.

G. grandis, Gray. An. and Mag., N. H., 1861, p. 218.
Cyclemys 'platynota, Gray, apud Blyth. J. A. S., vol. 24,
p. 714.

Nuchal plate triangular. A flat ridge along the vertebral line.
Anterior margin of shell smooth, posterior strongly serrated.
Shell above, very dark brown, almost black, rayed in the young ;
below handsomely black, and yellow rayed. Colour of animal
pale muddy olive, profusely spotted with dull orange. Specimens
attain to 18 inches in length. Old specimens are often eroded
or overgrown with weeds from lying in marshes.

Inhabits Pegu, Tenasserim and Camboja — vide P. A. S,,
Bengal, 1874, p. 82. Oviposits in December in Pegu. Eggs
strong, cylindrical. Four. Size 2-56 X 1*60. The habits
of Geomyda are aquatic, as its webbed feet indicate ; and speci-
mens oi grandis are often taken completely encrusted with weeds,
the condition of the shell depending on the dry or marshy cha-
racter of the spot, where the individual may have passed its life.
But for its Hat sternum, which I presume the males of E'jiiys
trijuga possess, I should be inclined to place trijuga in Geomyda,
as the habits of the animals are so similar, and their structure
also. In Geomyda there is no zygomatic arch ; in Melanochelys
Gray, it is described as imperfect, but there is grave doubt if
the skull figured by Gray (Sup., Cat. S. Rep., p. 34) as that
of Melanochelys trijuga, really belongs to that species,

G. spinosa, Bell.
Nuchal plate triangular. Back flattened, keeled. Front and
hind edges serrated. Costal plates with a sub-superior, posterior,
areola, with a slight sub-conic tubercle. Colour above chesnut,
below yellow, brown rayed. In the young, each costal areola
armed with a distinct spine. Length of not fully adult shell, 8
inches.

( 6 )

Inhabits Penang, and stretches into Tenasserim, or even further
north.

Chaibassia.

Nov sub-Q-enus.

Habit of Geomyda, but zygomatic arch complete.

G. tricarinata, Blyth. J. A. S., vol. 24, p. 714 (1855).

Oeomyda tricarinata, Blyth.
Nuchal plate rather elongate. Jaws simple, not serrated.
Vertebrals sharply keeled. Costals keeled superiorly, the keels
parallel in front, but converging on the fourth costal. Shell
broadest across the centre of the fourth costal. The two outer
fore-claws small. Pupil black, iris umber brown. Colour of
shell, above ruddy brown, deepening to blackish ; below yellow-
ish ; the two colours sharply confined to the two surfaces. Keels
and margin pale yellow. Head and neck, brownish, with an
orange stripe from the nostrils over the eyes, and a paler patch
towards the base of the mandible on either side.

Shell of male, 5-00 long, 32-5 broad, 2-25 high.
Shell of female, GdO long, 400 broad, 300 high.
Inhabits Chaibassa. The Naga Hills, North Assam.

Blythe's type was from Chaibassa. The two living specimens
(for the examination of which I am indebted to the courtesy of
J. Wood-Mason, Esq.) were forwarded by Major Godwin Austen
from the Nao-a Hills.

I cannot agree with Dr. Jerdon's suggestion (P. A. S., B.,
March 1870) that the figure of E. Belangeri Less in the " Voyage
aux Indes Orientales Rep., pi. 1, p. 291 (1834) represents this
species ; but concur with Giinther, who regards it as representing
M. trijuga. The colouration of the sternum is precisely that of
M. trijuga, as distinguished from G. tricarinata. The present
species may be readily distinguished from trijuga during life by
the colours of its eye, the iris of which is brown, whereas the iris
of trijuga is white. The fore-claws too in trijuga do not vary
much in size, whereas the outermost fore-claw in this species may
be almost termed minute, the next to it being also small ; and this,

( 7 )

peculiarity is also seen somewhat exaggerated in Mr, Blyth's type.
The zygomatic arch is well developed, as in most emy dines, and
therein differs from Oeomyda grandis, in which the arch is want-
ing. Mr. Blyth's type was a male, and is slightly different in
form from the living examples I have described ; but I can detect
no sufficient specific characters of separation ; but not having
the means of examining the skull, which has been carried to
England by Dr. Anderson, I am unable to say if its zygomatic
arch is complete or not ; and in default of a comparison of skulls,
I cannot separate the Chaibassa and Naga Hill forms. A female
laid three cylindrical eggs, 1"75 long, by 1 inch broad. Should the
skull of the type possess an imperfect zygomatic arch, it will
then have to be placed in Geomyda, whilst the living specimens
described now will remain under their present designation.

Family Cistudinid^e.

Fresh water chelonians, with feet webbed and adapted for
walking or swimming. The sternum usually flat in both sexes.
Sternum attached to the thorax by a ligamentous suture, and
transversely divided into two mobile lobes. Food, vegetable or
animal.

CuoRA, Oray.

C. Amboinensis, Daud.

Nuchal plate oblong. Sternum divided into two mobile lobes,
by a transverse ligamentous suture. Shell arched posteriorly.
Colour above dark brown or blackish, with a pale vertebral
line ; beneath, pale primrose yellow, with a black blotch on the
outer posterior angle of each plate, both ventrals and marginals.
Sides of head with two yellow bands : the upper, from the nose
over the orbit to the neck ; the lower through the lower half of
orbit and tympanum to the lower half of the neck. Grows to 10
inches.

Inhabits Pegu, the Malayan Peninsula, Camboja, Java, Sumatra,
Amboyna, and the Philippine Islands. It is probably the most
terrestrial in its habits of its family.

( 8 )
Cyclemys, Bell.

Thorax depressed, keeled, separated from the sternum by a
iJOfamentous suture. Sternum flat in both sexes, divided into
two parts by a transverse mobile pseudo-hinge, formed by the
permanent non-anchylosis of the pectoro-abdominal suture,
simulative of the cartilaginous joint of CuoiiA, and indicated in
adults by a carious fossa across the external plates. In young-
specimens, this hinge remains undeveloped. Herbivorous. Food
consists of fruits of Ficus, &c. Eggs large, cylindrical, four in
number.

C. dentata. Bell (adult).
C. orbiculata, Bell (young).
E. dentata, Gray, 111. Ind. Zool.

C. Oldhami, Gray Mss. apud Giinther. Monog., p. 15, PI. V.
f. B.

t

Nuchal plate small. Shell in young orbicular, expanded,
strongly keeled, strongly toothed posteriorly. Colour pale olive,
radiately brown streaked from a large superoposterior granular,
umbo, or areola, which in the marginal plates is postero-marginal.

Pupil round, black, iris, greyish yellow, brown spotted. Skin,
of neck yellow, lined with brown, of body yellow. Specimens of
this size 3-| inches, have no trace of the transverse sternal hinge.

Half grown ones of five inches have the sternum deep brown
or blackish, yellow rayed, and the yellow iris much encroached
on by brown spots. Sternal hinge distinct. Adults of eight inches
are uniform brown with all markings effaced ; keel obsolete.
Iris wholly umber brown, and the sternal hinge now marked
exteriorly by a carious line across the outer horny plates, the
result of the motion of the unanchylosed hinge beneath them,
vide Glinther's fig. of 0. Oldhami. Fingers slightly, toes broadly
webbed.

Grows to eight inches, or rather more.

Inhabits Pegu, Tenasserim, and North- Western India, Camboja,

&c.

( 9 )

Gray is wholly in error in his repeated assertions that the
transverse sternal hinge is most mobile in the young, and that
" the lobes are only moveable in the young state." — P. Z. S., May
12, 1863. The exact contrary of this is what really takes place.
The oldest name is Buchanan Hamiltons Mss. Dhor, suppressed
by Gray when copying B. Hamilton's figure, but adopted in his
Supplement, Catalogue Shield Reptiles, page 23, where, with
reference to the transverse pseudo-hinge of the sternum, he
indulges in an imaginative record of a conversation between us
on the subject. What I really endeavoured to convey, in a
deferential manner, was, that inasmuch as I had convinced
myself, as a matter of fact, by the examination of fresh and
living specimens, of the correctness of what I asserted, the ques-
tion of fact was, as far as I was concerned, beyond the pale of
argument, not because I was afraid of being convinced by Dr.
Gray, but because I knew myself to be in a position to correct
hhn. I may add that in Giinther's figure of the adult and
aged C. Oldhami, the pseudo-hinge is indicated by a line along
the sternum, and my assertion has besides received full corro-
boration by Dr. Anderson — see Proc. Zoo. Soc, 1872, p. 371.

A specimen of Cyclemys is recorded by Jerdon from the
Sylhet district. 15| inches long in a straight line, but the species
is not stated — vide Proc. As. Soc, Bengal, March 1870, p. 68.

Pyxidea, Gray.

Shell much as in Cyclem3'^s, with a lateral cartilaginous suture,
but no transverse sternal hinge.

P. Mouhotii, Gray. An. and Mag., N. H., 1862, p. 157.

Nuchal plate much broader than long. Shell moderately
elevated, with three strong longitudinal ridges, with rather flat
interspaces. Anterior and posterior margins serrated.

Lateral ridges nearer the vertebral ridge than to the margin.

Colour yellowish, browner on the sides.

GUnther remarks, " in a half-grown specimen the anterior lobe
of the sternum appears to be slightly moveable, whilst it is
entirely immoveable in the larger sj)ecimens."

B

( 10 )

Length 7 Indies, and perhaps more in old individuals.
Inhabits Kachar (P. A. S., B., March 1870, p. 68) and Cochin
China.

NoTOCHELYS, Gray.

N. platynota, Gray. Singapore.

This species has not hitherto been recorded from British India
— vide Proc. As. Soc, Bengal, March 1874, p. 82.

Family Emydidj^.

Freshwater chelonians of small or medium size with sternum
and thorax united into a solid case, without either lateral or
transverse cartilaginous or unanchylosed divisions or joints.

Aquatic. Sternum flat in both sexes or feebly concave in the
males. Feet webbed; claws five before, four behind. Habits
active, carnivorous. Zygomatic arch complete.

Bellia, Oray.

Shell solid, depressed, three-keeled in the young. Feet webbed ;
claws strong; five anteriorly, four posteriorly. Inner nostrils
subanterior ; zygomatic arch strong.

E. crassilabris. Gray. Cat., S. K, 20 ; P. Z. S., 1861, p. 140.
E. nigra, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1855, p. 713.
Bellia crassilabris, Gray. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 197.

Nuchal plate very minute, triangular, with base in front plates
variable in shape with age, Vertebrals much contracted behind,
first 5-sided (Giinther says triangular), second, third, and fourth
4-sided, mushroom-shaped in the adult ; front side semi-circular
as long as a side and base. In young shells the vertebrals are
lozenge-shaped, quite unlike the adult form. Shell in adults
depressed, keelless; in the young, three-keeled. Colour, deep
clouded olive brown, tending to blackish above ; and below
without markings, but paler in spots. Grows to 7' 50 inches.

Inhabits Tenassorim, Siam, and Sumatra. A seavanger in its
habits.

( 11 )

The young only of this species are tliree-keeled, hence the
character cannot be used as generic. Bellia is nearly allied to
Danionia but the position of the inner nostrils is very different.

Damonia, Gray.

Shell solid arched ; nodosely three-keeled in the young. Feet
webbed; claws five anteriorly, four posteriorly. Inner nostrils
"subcentral with a short oblong sunken space behind each."
Zygomatic arch strong.

D. Hamiltonii, Gray.

E. Piquotii Less, in Belanger Voy. aux. Ind. Orien.

Shell oblong ovate, rounded with three longitudinal ridges, each
plate of the vertebral and costal series being nodosely elevated
in the young. Nuchal plate sub-triangular. Eleven marginal
plates on each side. Ground colour brownish black, each vertebral
and costal plate with a yellow spot in the middle of its areola ;
Three or four other spots on the margin radiately disposed,
marginal and sternal plates similarly spotted. Head, neck, and
limbs with yellow spots and dots. A pair of spots in front of
the eye is very constant. Grows to 6 or 7 inches. The humped
character of the young disappears more or or less completely in
aged animals.

Inhabits Lower Bengal.

This is our handsomest emydine in India, and may be readily
recognised by its yellow dotted colouration. Giinther describes
the head as covered with a " soft skin" whilst Gray makes a " hard
thin skin" on the head, a generic character of DciTnonia — non
nostrwm tantas comiponere lites ; but I have never remarked that
amount of hardness or softness of the skin of the head of any
of our emydines as would suggest its being usefully enlisted as a
generic character.

Melanochelys, Gray.

Zygomatic arch complete, but weak (not as described by Gray
" imperfect"). Shell oblong, three keeled. Jaws simple, not
dentate.

( 12 )

M. trijuga, Gray.
Nuchal plate narrow. Gulars large. Pectorals and abdominals
sub-equal. Costals traversed by a keel placed high. Shell arched
with a vertebral keel, very prominent on the fourth plate : shell
slightly broader behind. Margins reverted at the side. Colour
dark smoky blackish brown, with the keels and sides of the
sternum brownish yellow. Head brown, paler about the eyes
and tympanic region. Iris white. The individual from whom
this description is taken was found in the Jumna canal. Length
4-75. Width across fourth vertebral, 3"25. Height 2"20. Grows
to probably 8 inches.

Inhabits Continental India, The Punjab.

M. sebse. Gray.

M. trijuga (Giinther in part).

Colour brown, darker beneath, keels pale yellowish. Head
red spotted. Grows to 7 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon and Southern India.

This species is very similar in general appearance to the last,
but its spotted head at once serves to separate them. The precise
range and limits of both are not as yet properly made out.

M. Edeniana, J. Anderson.

M. trijuga. (Theobald, Rep. of British Bunnah, Lin. Soc.
Jour., Vol. X).

Colour black. Keels and edges of the sternum yellowish.
Colour of the animal dirty olive grey. Head yellowish without
markings. Claws very long. Grows to about 12 inches.

Inhabits Arakan, Pegu, and Tenasserim.

A female taken near Tounghu, measured over the curves.
12-50, 10-50, 9-GO.

This black giant race of the Eastern side of the Bay of Bengal
has received the mss. name of Edeniana from Dr. Anderson in
compliment to the Hon'ble Ashley Eden, who, with distinguished
liberality, had forwarded a large collection of testudiuata of the
Provinces of Avhich he was Chief Commissioner. Few of these

( 13 )

specimens are however at present available for examination in
the Imperial Museum.

Family BATAGURiDiE.

Fluviatile or estuary cheloniaiis, mostly of large size with solid
shells, with the cavity of the thorax contracted at each end by
an internal bony plate on each side. Sternum flat in both sexes.
Food mostly vegetable. Feet webbed. Claws rather weak.

Pangshura, GroAj.

Small sized Bataguroids, having the fourth vertebral shield
narrowed anteriorly, or decanter shaped. Claws five before, four
behind, feet webbed.

This genus is a very natural one embracing, at the time of pub-
lication of Gunther's Monograph, five recognized species. Since
then Jerdon has recorded another species, which, though probably
only a local race of P. tectum, has been converted into
a new genus Jerdonella, by Dr. Gray. Another species has
also been added by Dr. Gray, from a specimen obtained from
Jerdon, but as that naturalist has not described it, its claim to
specific rank seems open to question. P. Leithii Gray (Sup.,
Cat. S. R., p. 61) is also described from a skull which not impro-
bably belongs to an animal of some other genus. The remaining
four species have been ranged by Gray under three genera —
Pangshura, Cuchoa, and Emia, an arrangement which simply
reduces zoological classification to a farce.

P. tectum, Bell.
P. tecta, Gray et aicdorum.
Nuchal triangular. Thorax very angularly arched with a strong
nodosity on the third vertebral. First vertebral pentagonal,
shortest behind. Colours seasonally (?) very brilliant, dark
brown or black with a bright orange or salmon red vertebral
streak. Below brightly marbled with black and red. Head
red spotted, neck yellow lined, and limbs yellow spotted. Grow,s
to 7 inches.

Inhabits Lower Bengal.

( 14 )

Var intermedia, W. Blanford. J. A. S., B., 1870, p. 339.

General aspect as of typical tectum, but "the second vertebral
almost hexagonal, the breadth exceeding the length slightly, the
posterior margin straight, thus differing from typical tectum and
tentoria in which it is convex. Fourth, diamond-shaped, not the
ordinary ' decanter, ' though this shape is more seen in aged
specimens. The colouration also differs. Sternal plates black, the
anterior and lateral margins, but not the posterior ones yellow,
liimbs and head dull olive, paler below, the first unspotted ; in
this differing conspicuously from Bengal specimens of tectwm."
Largest specimen 4 long, 3"2 broad, 2 high.

Inhabits the Hasdo River a tributary of the Mahanadi above
Sambalpur.

Summing up Mr. Blanford remarks : " It is very clear these
variations tend in a great measure to obliterate the distinction
between P. tectum and P. tentoria, the only remaining difference
being the more tumid form of the first named species, but I doubt
if this be a more valid character than the form of the plates."
With this conclusion I fully agree, and am inclined to extend its
application to other species of the genus besides tentoria, in spite
of the fiict that they have been generically separated b}^ so great
an authority as Dr. Gray.

P. tentoria. Gray.

Batagar tentoria, Gray.

Cuchoa tentoria, Gray. Sup. Cat. S. R., p. 61.
Very closely resembles tectum, but " at all ages has the median
keels of the first three vertebral plates much less developed, and
the form of the whole carapace is conspicuously flatter and
broader. The third vertebral plate is quadrangular,, longer by
half than broad, with the keel quite obsolete on the anterior half
and but little raised posteriorly. Nuchal plate sub-quadrangular.
A narrow black line is continued along the spinal ridge of
tentoria, whereas the middle of the ridge is broadly white in
tectuTYi." Blyth. ' Colour above brown. Sternum blackish, brown
with yellow margin. Grows to 8' 25 inches.
Inhabits tlie Indus River and the Dekkan.

( 15 )

P. flaviveuter, Giiiither.

Cuchoa Jiaviveutris, Oray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 61.

Resembles tectum, but the first vertebral is " bell-shaped." It
is rather more elevated, having a large impression in the mid-
dle of the second and third costal plates. Nuchal plate broader
behind. Colour: above uniform horny, the ridge lighter, the
nodose prominences, darker. Lower parts uniform, yellowish,
with a brown blotch on the lower side of each marginal plate.
Grows to 11 inches, (vide Cockburn.)

Inhabits the Ganges near Allahabad.

P. Smithii, Gunther. Monog., p. 36, fig. on p, 2,

Batagur Smithii, Oray. Sup.

Emia Smithii, Gray. Sup,, Cat. S. R,, p. 61.
Nuchal triangular. Shell ovate, depressed with a vertebral
ridge rising into a nodosity on the back part of the third verte-
bral. The first vertebral is bell-shaped, the second sub-quadran-
gular, the third rectangular oblong, two-thirds as broad as long.
Colour, above pale yellowish olive, with a black vertebral line;
beneath black, with yellow margins to the plates, and with a
yellow central keel dividing the two colours on the marginal
plates. Grows to 8 inches.

Inhabits the Jumna, Ganges, and Punjab Rivers — Sutlej,
Chenab, Indus, &c.

P. Sylhetensis, Jerdon. Proc, As. Soc, Beng., March 1870.

Jerdonella Sylhetensis Jerdon, Gray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 61.
Closely allied to tectum from which Jerdon distinguished
it, not without hesitation. The last vertebral is broader,*
behind those is tectum, its lateral suture coinciding with the
anterior suture of the antepenultimate marginal. Gray thus sums
up the differences which separate this animal generically and
specifically from tectum and its allies. " This species differs
from P. jiaviveutris in the keel of the first three shields being
pale — and not black, and much more indistinctly marked than in

* (Jerdon (!■ c) says narroiver, but this is a clerical error, if we are to follow
Gray's description. App , Cat. S. R.. p. 18 — .)

( ic )

p. teeta, but is at once known by its strong]}^ dentated margin,
and by the three hinder marginal plates on each side only occu-
pying the hinder margin of the fifth vertebral plate" — App.,
Cat. S. E,., p. 19 ; or in other words Jerdonella is based on a
specimen or variety, whose three hinder marginals are so narrow
as to only occupy the space usually taken up by two and a half.
Jerdon was undoubted nearer the truth when he hesitated to
consider this form as ever specifically distinct from tecturti, and
doubtless the more varieties or local races are discovered, the
more shall we be compelled rather to reduce the number of
species, than to multiply genera ! Grows to 8 inches.
Inhabits streams in Sylhet.

P. ventricosa. Gray. Sup., Cat, S. R., p. 60.
Thorax vertricose. First vertebral shield elongate, very
narrow. Rounded behind, second narrow, attenuated behind,
margin entire, third small, keeled, fourth elongate, oblong six
sided suddenly narrowed and produced in front. Hab. India
(Jerdon).

P. Leithii, Gray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 60.

This species is based on a skull from the " River Poonah,"
which, if not belonging to P. flaviventer, is probably referrible to
some other genus.

Having enjoyed the advantage of examining a large series of
specimens of Pangshura in the Allahabad Museum, through the
courtesy of J. Cockburn, Esq., the Curator of that institution, I
am led to believe that we have in India but three species of the
genus, sub-divided into fairly recognizible races or varieties. In
the first place, with a large series before us, we are forced to
admit, that the shape of the plates is a very variable character,
and of little use in discriminating species. Equally variable is
the colouration of the sternum, the sternum of" flaviventer " being
either uniform (as in Giinther's type) or marked as in more
usual in the genus. The form of the shell is perhaps a better
mark and this seems to follow a geographical range. Taking P.
flaviventer as our type, occupying as it does the centre of the
area of Pangshura (so far as longitude goes), we find that the

( 17 )

forms with elevated shell of which " tectum " is the type prepon-
derate as we go east, whilst the depressed form of the " teutoria "
type replaces the others to the west, e.g.

P. tectum. Bell.

P. interniedia, W. Blanfovd.

P. Sylhetensis, Jerdon.

P. ventricosa, Gray.
These forms attain their largest size to the eastward, the Syl-
het form reaching to 8 inches, whilst in Bengal 7 inches is a
large size for a typical " tectum " to attain, whilst at Allahabad
specimens of that size are never seen.

P. flaviventer, Giinther.
This species grows to 11 inches, and occupies a central position
about Allahabad. It is the largest of all the " pangshures," and
the plates of the thorax are subject to great variation.

P. tentoria, Gray. ,

P. Smithii, Giinther.
These are flat depressed forms ranging from the westerly parts
of the Ganges to the Indus, where they replace the " tectum "
type. Neither would seem to exceed 8| inches.

MoRENiA, Gray.
Smal] sized Bataguroids, distinguished by an ocellated pattern
of ornamentation ; and of a restricted geographical range.

M. Berdmorei, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1858, p. 281.

Emys ocellata, D, et B., Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 64:5,

1855, p. 481.
Batagur ocellata. D. et B., Gray. Ann. Mag., N. H., 1857,

p. 348.
Batagur Berdmorei, Blyth. Theobald, J. A. S., B., 1868,
extra No., p. 12.
Nuchal plate oblong. First four vertebrals squarish, sub-equal,
and slightly keeled. Second and third largest, broader than long.
Shell high, round, and smooth, the reticulated pattern of the bones
beneath, showing through the excessively thin epidermis. Ster-
num flat, obtusely but distinctly keeled, the outward shelving

c

( 18 )

side being three-fourths as broad as the ventral portion between
the keels. Colour above pale, greenish olive, each costal with a
dark spot, surrounded by a pale margin. The vertebrals simi-
larly ornamented posteriorly, and obtusely keeled, more on the
three front plates, and young. Beneath pale yellow, a yellow
superciliary line from nose, and another below the eye.

Inhabits Pegu and Tenasscrim, but not Bengal. Females grow
to 8 inches in a straight line. Males being much smaller. Giin-
ther's description of E. ocellata, D. et B., is taken from a speci-
men of the species, and he does not seem to be acquainted with
the true ocellata. Gray describes the margin of the thorax as
reddish (Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 63), but this colour is merely an
adventitious stain.

This species abounds in Pegu, and when the grassy inundated
plains dry up in March, and are swept clean by fire, the natives
collect for food by hundreds, the scorched animals. •

M. ocellata, D. et B. Erpet, General, II, p. 329, pi. 1561.

BataguT ocellata, D. et B., Gray. Cat. S. R., p. 36.

B. ocellata, D. et B., Theobald. Cat., Rep., As. Soc, Mus.,
p. 13. J. A. S., B., 1868.
Colour black, each costal plate with an ocellus placed rather
low and formed by a narrow yellow line. Above the ocellus some
irregular looped lines of similar color. Each vertebral with a
narrow yellow mesial line. The four last vertebrals with a yel-
low linear horse-shoe mark with the ends directed forwards.
The nuchal and each marginal with a vertical yellow median
streak. Two vertical yellow lines from the nostrils to the lips.
A curved line from the nostril to the gape. A yellow spot at
the extremities of the mandible, with a paler continuation along
the throat. A yellow line from the snout over the eye to the
neck, and a shorter one below it, from the eye. An occipital
yellow streak. In spirits the yellow is pale primrose, but durino-
life was much brighter. Below uniformly yellow, dashed with
dusky black on the sides. The specimen described was a male
and measured 5 inches ; females growing a little larger.
Inhabits Lower Bengal (but not Burmah).

( 19 )

Batagur, Oray.

Thorax and sternum united into a solid case. Sternum flat in
both sexes. Toes five before, four behind, fully webbed. Shell
depressed. Habits wholly aquatic. Food mainly vegetable.
Eggs large, cylindrical numerous. Animal of medium or large
size aflectins: the sea and estuaries as well as rivers. Flesh
excellent as food.

B. kachuga, Buch., Ham.
Emys kachuga, Oray. Illust., Ind. Zool.
Emys lineata, Gray. Syn. Rep., p. 23.
Kachuga lineata, Gray. Sup. Cat., S. R.

Nuchal plate broad. Three anterior vertebrals squarish, the
fovirth much longer than broad, all keeled in young individuals,
but the keel disappears with age. The hind margins of the
post-gulars meet at an Obtuse angle. The greatest depth of the
shell is at the anterior portion of the third vertebral. Colour
above uniform greenish olive brown. Beneath yellowish. Back
of the neck pale brown, with seven red brown streaks. The side
of the face and temple bluish. The chin with two yellow spots
on the side. Grows to 24 inches.

Inhabits Bengal, Nipal, and the North- Western Provinces,
Pegu and Tenasserim.

In the Proceedings, As. Soc, Bengal, for March 1874, p. 83,
I inadvertently state that this species does not occur in Pegu
which is an error, though it does not affect my argument, as I
had no skull of it in my collection, and the only specimens I ever
obtained were a young one at Tonghu (shell only), and the aged
specimen noticed by Giinther in his Mon. Ind. Rep., p. 39, from
Moulmein.

B. aifinis, Giinther. Monog., p. 40, pi. 3 f. c. c.
Kachuga affunis. Gray. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 203.
Gantorella affinis. Gray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 58,
E. trivittata, D. et B., apud Cantor.

Nuchal plate none. The first and second vertebrals broader
than long. Fourth not much longer than broad. All the verte-

( 20 )

brals smooth. Colour above yellowisli green with three broad
longitudinal black bands. Below yellowish. A large black blotch
on the upper anterior angle of each marginal plate. Grows to 18
inches, and probably more.

Inhabits the Malayan Peninsula and probably ranges into
Tenasserim.

B. trivittata, D. et B.

Kachuga Peguensis, Gray = female.

B. lineata, Gray. P. Z. S., 18G1, p. 164.

Kachuga trilineata, Gray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 54,

B. dhongoha, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1863, p. 84.

A nuchal plate always present. Adult male, neck yellow,
head covered with a smooth vascular skin, of a deep flesh red,
fading instantly on death to a waxy white. On the forehead a
black lozenge-shaped plate, elongate behind. Iris straw colored,
lilotched with reddish orange. Shell above pale olive green,
with three conspicuous pitchy black bands down the back,
sometimes united at their ends. Beneath pale orange yellow.
Lenerth 20^ inches.

Female. Skin uniform greenish olive. A black patch on fore-
head as in male, but no coloured vascular skin, shell above and
below uniform deep umber brown, with no markings whatever.
Length 23J inches. Lays in January and February 25 eggs ;
weight of eggs 965 grains ; length 2'60 inches. Oviposits in sand-
banks towards and above the top of the tideway (as at Zalon
on the Irawadi).

Inhabits Pegu and Tenasserim, vide Catalogue of Reptiles,
British Burmah, in Linnean Society's Journal, Zoology, Vol. X.

Owing to the careless use made by Dr. Gray of the materials
in his possession, and the habit he sometimes exhibits of relying
for matters of fact, rather on his own inner consciousness than
the testimony of others qualified to give evidence, there are few
species in a more perplexing state than this. During my resi-
dence in Burmah, I procured but one specimen of a female, the
one described by mo in the Journal Linnean Society, Vol. X, p, 14,

( 21 )

the sliell of which was purchased by the British Museum, and
the head and feet of which in spirit also passed into Dr. Gray's
hands. And on this head to the best of my belief, Dr. Gray
based his Kachuga Pegiiensis. At page 55 of the Sup., Cat.
S. Rr., 1870, Dr. Gray remarks under this head : — " A skull in
the British Museum figured under the name of Kachuga trilmeata
(P. Z. S., 1869, p. 202, f. 13)," and further on, " there is a second
skull in the British Museum received without the rest of the
animal from Mr. Theobald figured in the Proceedings, Zoological
Society, as Kachuga Peguensis. * * * On re-examination I
am inclined to regard the differences between the skulls as merely
sexual or individual"

Now there can be no reasonable doubt of the correctness of
the above admission of Dr. Gray as to the specific identity of
his trilineata (trivittata) and Peguensis, or that the former
species was based on the head of a male animal, whilst the latter
was based on the head (in spirits) of the unique female specimen
before mentioned. Yet when I suggest this, knowing that the
skulls of but two ' Batagars' were in my collection, ' baska' and
■trivittata, Dr. Gray, Appendix, 1872, p. 18, quietly shifts his
ground and says : — " Mr. Theobald thinks that it {Peguensis) is
probably an aberrant form of Tetraonyx Lessoni, or Batagar
trivittata (P. Z. S., 1870, p. 676), but the figures I think show
distinctly that this is a mistake," and apparently abandons the
correct view of the identity of Peguensis and trivittata {trili-
neata) which he himself admitted in 1870, so soon as the same
idea was put forward by myself!

Then again under Kachuga trilineate Dr. Gray quotes me to
the following effect: — " The males have three pitchy-black bands
on the back of the thorax, and the females which are much
larger are all black." Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 55. Now, the sole
female I ever saw or described, was the one in Dr. Gray's
possession at the time and described by me in the Journal
Linnean Society, Vol. X, in these precise words: — "Shell above
and below uniform deep umber broiun, without any markings
ivhatever" a description Dr. Gra}^ had means — full means — of

( 22 )

verifying. For other remarks on this subject, see Pro, As,
Soc, Bengal, March 1874.

B. dhongoka, Buch. Ham.
Emy's Dnvaucellii, D. et B.

Bhongoha HardivicJdi, Gray. Sup,, Cat. S. R., p. .57, not
Blyth. J. A. S., B, 1863, p. 84.

Nuchal plate triangular, broad behind. Form similar to
Kachuga, but more depressed and ex[)anded behind. Vertebrals
keeled, the keel terminating on the second and third in a promi-
nent elongate knob. The hind margins of the postgulars form
a straight line, colour dark gray, with a black vertebral and two
lateral stripes. A yellow line from the nostril to the upper part
of the tympanum. Grows to 18 inches or more.

Inhabits the Ganges, Assam, Nipal, and Central India, and
probably the Panjab.

Dr. Gray gives Bay of Bengal, eastern side common, and
Pegu, and Moulmein as the habitat, but quite incorrectly, I
believe. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 57. In the first place Dr. Gray is
wholly in error in quoting myself as his authority, thus " Pegu
(Theobald)" as I never during many years' residence ever saw
a specimen in Burmah, neither is the species included in my
Catalogue of the Reptiles of Pegu. Dr. Gray then adds : — " It
is not uufrequently brought to the Moulmein fish bazaar " (I. c.)
No authority is given, but the words are an unacknowledged
extract from a paper of Mr. Blyth, J. A. S., B., 1803, p. 84, and
the statement requires careful consideration. The words occur
under the head dhongoka, in a list of the testudinata of the
Burmese Provinces, and the question arises, what is the dhongoka
of the passage in question ? It is first to be noticed that the
allied kachuga ( = lineatus) is not included in the list; but as this
is not a common species in Burmah, it is not probably
the one in question. Blyth however quotes E. trivittata, I).
et. B., as a synonym ; and as this is an extremely abundant
species in Burmah, it seems reasonable to suppose that
the dhongoka of the above list of Blyth, was really not the

( 23 )

dhongoka of Gray and. myself, but trivittata, D. et B., apud me,
passim, and the lineata {—hilineata and Peguensis) of Dr. Gray.
No specimens of dhongoJca from Moulmein or anywhere east of
the Bay of Bengal existed in the Museum of the Asiatic Society
at the date of my Catalogue 1868, and no specimen whatever of
trivittata, D. et B. for comparison, so that it seems probable that
Mr. Blyth identified from memory only, the ^-stTiped Burmese
form ' trivittata,' with the ^-striped Bengal representative species
' dhongoka^ no specimens of which to my knowledge have to
this time been received from Burmah. Dr. Gray adds it is an
' estuarine ' species, which is also, I believe an error, as its habi-
tat is away from the sea, as Dr. Gray might have inferred from
the Habitat ' Nipal.' In his monograph the usually accurate
Gunther, cites only the Ganges, Nipal, and Assam, though from
the fatality which seems to attach to Indian geography when
touched on by English naturalists at home, he places ' Sooltan-
pore (Lahore)' on the Ganges (instead of on the Ravi, a tributary
of the Indus), unless Lahore is a misprint for Lahool, only in that
case the ' Sooltanpore ' in question happens to be on the Bias in
Kulu, of which (and not of Lahool), it is the capital !

Dr. Gray also quotes a large specimen in the British Museum
as coming from ' Moulmein ' without specifying particulars, but
very slight weight can attach to such an authority, when opposed
to all that is positively known as regards the distribution of the
species.

B. Thurgi, Gray.

Hardella Thurgi, Gray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 58,
Cachuga Oldhami, Gray. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 200.
H. Indi, Gray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p, 58.

Nuchal plate triangular. Shell depressed with an interrupted
median ridge. Crown of head lead colored, mottled with yellow,
lower jaw primrose. A bright yellow patch from nostrils to
below eye, and a yellow line from nostrils to tympanum. Colour
of shell uniform, deep brown, almost black, plates below, edged
with yellow. Grows to 22 inches.

( 24 )

Inhabits Bengal, Indus river, &;c. This specie is thoroughly
herbivorous, although Giinthcr infers the reverse, Gray correctly
remarking (Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 58.) "The tortoises and turtles
which have the broadest and most complicated chewing surfaces
of the jaw are herbivorous or algivorous."

In his Appendix to the Cat. S. R., p. 18, Dr. Gray, quoting some
remarks of mine on this species in my Catalogue of Reptiles in
the As. Soc. Museum, published in 1868, sneers at me for not
discovering that CacJmga Oldhami Gray figured in P. Z. S. and
established in 1809 did not belong to it! For further remarks on
this curious specimen of Dr. Gray's critical powers, see the Pro.,
As. Soc, Bengal, March 1874.

All the large Indian ' Batagurs,' ' haska," ' trivittata^ ' Ihurgi'
&c., are good and wholesome food, especially served as cutlets or
soup. Their main food is grass or other vegetable matters, and
their dung is expelled in masses resembling that of a donkey,
only the matters are more crudely digested. The smaller
species are less to be commended, as where the opportunity offers
they act as scavengers, though this evil trait is possessed by
nearly every domestic animal in India (fowls particularly), save
the goat and donkey. The flesh of Morenia Berdmorei however
I have found excellent eating.

B. dentata, Gray. '

B. tentoria, Gray, h and c. Cat. S. R., p. 37.
B. lineata, Gray. d. Cat. S. R., p. 86.
B. Ellioti, Gray. P. Z. S., 1802. Giinther Mon., p. 40
pi. 3 f., A-A.'
Young only known.

Nuchal shield broader than long. Second, third, and fourth
vertebral shields strongly keeled and ending in an acute pro-
minence. The hinder margin strongly serrated. Colour above
uniform grey-brown. Beneath pale yellow. Head dusky brown.
Temple and beak yellow, with a blackish streak from the nostril
to the orbit, continued behind over the tympanum.

Inhabits the Kistna river, and the Jumna, according to Ander-
son. P. Z. S., Feb. 21, 1871, p. 150.

( 25 )

B. fusca, Gray,

Nuchal plate triangular. Shell indistinctly keeled and very
broad behind. The first and second vertebrals nearly square, the
third sub-hexangular broader than long ; the posterior sides
shorter. The fourth sub-hexangular, hinder side short and rather
narrow behind, much longer than broad. Colour above brown,
beneath yellow.

Inhabits India (Gray). Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 56.

Of these two species I know nothing beyond the meagre
descriptions of them, and it remains I think to be seen how far
both of these are distinct from ' lineatus.'

Tetraonyx, Lesson,

Characters of shell same as Batagur, but only four claws on all
feet. It would seem to affect brackish waters and estuaries.

T. baska, Bu. Ham. mss.. Gray. 111. Ind. Zool.
Batagur hasJca, Oray. Giinther Monog., p. 37, pi. 3 f. B-B.'
T. Lessonii, Dum et Bib.
T. longicollis, Less.
Nuchal plate sub-quadrangular. Four anterior vertebrals
nearly as broad as long, fifth hexagonal, all smooth. Head
covered with an undivided skin, nose upturned. Colour uniform
pale brown. Grows to 24 inches.

Inhabits Pegu, Tenas.-^erim, the Malaj^an Peninsula, and Bengal.

T. pictus, Gray. P. Z. S., 1862, p. 264.
Callagur picta, Gray. Sup. Cat., S. R.., p. 53.
Nuchal plate none. Inhabits Borneo. May perhaps range
into Tenasserim.

Family Platysternid^.
Characters of the sole genus.

Platysternon, Gray.

Thorax and sternum united into a bony case. Shell depressed.

Head very large, covered with a horny case. Tail very long,

covered with rings of sub-quadrangular shields. Toes webbed.

Claws strong, five before, four behind. Carnivorous.

D

( 26 )

P. Peguense, Gray. App., Cat. S. R., p. 70.

P. megacephalum, Grayl Theobald. Jour., Lin. Soc, Vol. X.

Colour of young (shell 2 inches) fleshy grey; each of the costal
shields with a central black tubercle, beneath bright reddish
orange, with a little black about the sutures. Iris pale yellow.
Head dark mottled, with a black edged yellow stripe behind the
eye. Grows to 14 inches of which the shell is five only.

Inhabits streams falling into the Sitang and Sal win Pk,ivers.

Gray in App., Cat. S. R., separates the Pegu species from
megacephalum from China.

It is possible that both species (supposing them to be distinct)
may occur in Burmah, but our materials for deciding are very
imperfect. The Pegu animal described above is said to be taken
at night by men who are led to discover its whereabouts by a
pretty loud noise which the animal makes somewhat resembling
the cry of a puny fractious child, of the truth of which statement
I have received undoubted corroboration. M}'- specimen was
given me alive by Sir A. P. Phayre, first Chief Commissioner of
British Burmah, to whom it had been presented by some natives
who hold these somewhat rare animals in considerable estimation.

Family Chitrid^.

Fresh water chelonians with three claws on all feet and
extremely weak lower jaws. Feet webbed.

Chitra, Gray.

Shell depressed, with cartilaginous margins. Sternum united
to thorax by cartilage. Sternal callosities four. Head elongate.
Lower jaw very weak. Eyes placed very forward. The semi-
diameter across the mandibular condyles is contained more than
three times in the distance between the occipital condyle and
the palatal opening of the nostrils. Affects estuaries as well as
rivers. Young not ocellated.

( 27 )

C. Indica, Gray.

Testudo chitra, Buck. Ham.

Gymnopus Imeatus, D, et B., Erpet, General II, p. 491.

Chhim or ' Sini of the fishermen in Eastern Bensfal.
' Seutei'i' in the Upper Ganges.

Gray in his characters of the genus (Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 89,
1870) falls into the extraordinary error of describing the lower
jaw as " strong," whereas it is a weak bony arch, no more than
sufficient to give support to the horny rim or armature of the
mandible in this family. General aspect of the animal as in
Trionyx only a more depressed shell. Neck very elongate and
capable of protrusion and retraction with lightning speed. Colour
above dark olive brown, lineately marbled. Below yellowish
white. No eye spots at any age.

The young exhibit the same pattern of marking as the adults
and are devoid of ' ocelli.' Grows to fully six feet between tips,
with a shell of over three feet and up to lbs. 240 weight.

Inhabits the Ganges, Bengal, the Irawadi, and the estuaries of
the Indian and Malayan coasts.

This species can be distinguished from all allied forms except
the next by its remarkably weak jaw, and from ' pelochelys' by
the proportions of the head. It is a most savage and desperate
creature, and should be cautiously examined during life. Its
food is unknown and probably differs from that of Trionyx to
judge by its peculiar and weak jaw.

Pelochelys, Gray.

General aspect of Chitra. Sternal callosities four. Lower jaw
verv weak. Eyes placed very forward. The semi-diameter across
the mandibular condyles is contained twice only between the
occipital condyle and the palatalopening of the nostrils.

( 28 )

P. Cantorii, Gray.

Chitra Indica, Gray. Giinther, I. R. form only the colours

and marking form a life-drawing of GJdtra, Sup., Cat.

S. R., p. 91.

Dissimilar as are the proportions of the skulls of this species
and CJdtra, they are extremely alike externally. It is a very
much smaller animal however, but specimens are scarce in
collections.

Inhabits Arakan, Calcutta, Allahabad, "Malacca" (Cantor).

Family Trionycid^.
Fresh water Chelonians with three claws on all feet and
powerful lower jaws. Carnivorous. Eggs, globular, calcareous.

Trionyx, Geoffroy.

Shell depressed. Sternum united to thorax by cartilage. Sternal

callosities in adults five, the anterior lunate one, only being

developed in aged individuals.* Young either 'ocellated' or

otherwise handsomely marked, which marks disappear with age.

T. Gangeticus Cuv. Reg. Anim.

T. hururti, Buck. Ham. and Gray. 111. Ind. Zool.

T. gatajhal, Buck. Ham.

T. Javanicus, Gray. 111. Ind. Zool., vide Anderson in Annals
and Mag., N. H., May 1872 and September, p. 221.
This species is somewhat variable in its colour, and varies from
light to dark green or greenish olive of various shades. The
head is marked by radiating black lines, or by less regular
anastomosing lines (as in Buchanan Hamilton figure of ' Hurum')
and is handsomely ocellated when very young, though young
specimens are not so common as might be expected from the
numbers of adults brought for sale to the bazaars. The skull is
very stout and with a short facial profile. The palate broad and
sunken with parallel sides, and the mandible with a very feeble
median tubercular ridge on the inside, with two marked ridges

* Homolog'ous to the so called ' sternal pair.' Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 1>G of Lande-
mannia ; the granulations occasionally spreading from two lateral points.

( 29 )

on the sides which just invade the masticating area of the jaw.
In large individuals the lunate bone of the sternum is granular
like the other plates, a character noticed by neither Giinther or
Gray, but present in a greater or less degree in old animals.
Grows to probably 150 lbs.

Inhabits Beng;al and the North-Western Provinces.

Cantor says also ' Pinang,' but I have been unable to verify its
occurrence in Burmah, though from Cantors observing it to the
south, I included it in my catalogue of Burmese Reptiles, and if
Cantor was not mistaken, it no doubt must occur in the
intermediate Burmese Provinces.

T. ocellatus. Gray. 111. Ind. Zool.

T. Buchanani, Th. Pro. As. Soc, Bengal, March 1874, p. 78.

T. hiLTum auct. in part.

T. hurum B. H., apud Anderson, Annals, and Mag., N. H.,
1872, Vol. IX., p. 882.

Kdla kachim of the Bengali fishermen.
Skull more elongate or taper than in Gangeticus, with the
mandible almost spatulate in front, and traversed inside by a
median groove very strongly marked. Young handsomely ej'ed,
and the species at all ages is marked by the transverse yellow
bar across the nose in front of the eyes, and by conspicuous
yellow spots on the gape and temples. General colour "green,
darker on the occiput, where it is mottled with paler. Throat
and neck plumbeous white. Eyelids red." Cartilaginous
portion of carapace almost devoid of tubercles, save 3 or 4
indistinct ones behind. Osseous pittings of the sternal bones
coarser than in Gangeticus, and the lateral plates more bent
than is usually seen in other species. The above description
was furnished me from life by A. Anderson, Esq. of Futtehgarh ;
the shell being figured by me in Proc. As. Soc, Bengal, 1875.

T. sewaare, Buch. Ham. (Young), Gray. P. Z. S., 1873, p. 50.

T. chhhn, Buch. Ham. (adult ?).
Young animals closely resemble ocellatus, but have no yellow
band across the snout, and the face is shorter, and the profile
more like Gangeticus.

( 30 )

The adult (if the ' Chhhn' of Buch. Ham.) is rich olive brown
unifoi'mly spotted with small equal and equidistant lenticular
spots, with their long axes arranged more or less longitudinally.
Two yellow ragged blotches on the temples, but no band before
the eyes.

Inhabits the Gansfes.

o

T. stellatus, var Javanicus, Geoffrey, S. H. Siebold, Fauna
Japonica, Chel., Tab. 5, f. 6. Theobald, Proc. As. Soc,
Bengal, March 1874, p. 79, pi. 3.
T. Javanicus Schw.,2i,\)\x6. Giinther in part not of Gray.
T. hurum, Gray. An. Mag., N. H., 1872, p. 3G6 as T.

Phayrei.
' Leikhioay' of the Birraese.
Head taper, mandible, inside furnished with a median ridge.
Head and neck grey, profusely yellow mottled. Shell brown
with vermiculate markings in the young.

The specimen figured by me, 1. c, was taken at Moulmeiu.
Inhabits Pegu, Tenasserim, and Java.

T. Phayrei, Th., Jour., Lin. Soc, ZooL, Vol. X, 1868.

T. camiferus, Gray. Cat. S. R., p. 67, pi. 32 not Aspilus

cariniferus, Gray. Sup. Cat., S. R., p. 102, f. 3-^.
T. cariniferus, Th. Pro. As. Soc, Bengal, March 1874,
p. 80, pi. 4.

T. Jeudi, Gray. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 217.

T.formosus, Gray. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 217. (?)

T. Phayrei, Th. apud Anderson. P. Z. S., 1871, p. 154.

' Leik-beywoon' of the Birmese.

Skull of the general form of Gangeticus. Sternum excessively
cartilaginous, the odd osseous plate being only well developed in
aged individuals, vide Anderson, f. 1. c. The T. formosus of
Gray is not improbably the ocellated livery of this species.
Adults brown handsomely vermiculately marked, very much in
the style of Chitra.

Grows to over 24 inches in a straight line.

Inhabits the Irawadi, Tenasserim, and the Malayan Peninsula.

( 31 )

T. formosus, Gray. P. Z. S, 18G9, p. 217, pi. 15, f. 1.
Nilssonia formosa. Gray. P. Z. S., 1873, p. 45.

My type specimen from Pegu was a young one, and its identi-
fication with the large skull of unknown origin on which Gray
based the genus 'Nilssonia,' may prove erroneous.

Colour of young olive, with four very large black-eyed spots,
the central spot circular, black with a narrow white margin
(yellow?), surrounded by a dark brown ring, enclosed within an
outer broad pale ring, with a narrow olive interspace between.
Back ornamented with symmetrical dark reticulations. Beneath
sooty. Head and neck olive, symmetrically ornamented with
dark-edged yellow spots. A yellow spot on the temple, another
behind the gape, with a second below it. A yellow spot on the
throat, and the upper lip yellow dotted. A broad yellow collar,
effused below and interrupted over the spine.

It is more than probable that this form is the young of one
of the other Pegu species, though of which cannot be safely
guessed at.

Inhabits Pegu.

T. Peguensis, Gray. Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 99.
Isola Peguensis, Gray. P. Z. S., 1873, p. 51, f. 5.

Head only known, brought from Pegu by myself. " Pale
olive green, minutely and closely punctulated with black. The
upper lip, lower part of the sides of the head, sides of the neck,
chin, and throat uniform greyish white. The lower margin of
the flap of the upper lip opaque white." Length 4 inches.

Inhabits Pegu (Tonghu).

T. Grayii, Theobald. Proc. As. Soc, Bengal, 1875.

Skull corresponds in general characters with the last, but the
colouration is so difierent as to leave no question of their specific
distinction. Head marked after the fashion of T. Phayrei, Th.
whilst the granular osseous bones of the sternum are much
more developed than in that species.

Inhabits Pegu.

( 32 )

Emyda, Gray.

Shell similar to Trionyx, but with flexible flaps on each side
of the posterior sternal lobe, and the margins of the shell strength-
ened with numerous small bony plates. Eggs spherical.

E. granosa, Schoep, Testud., p. 127, Tab. 80, A.B.
E. -punctata, Gray.

rotamochelys, Gray. Skull. P. Z. S,Lon., Feb. 23,1861, f. 7, 8.
The odd osseous plate of the sternum very small. Above pale
greenish olive, with light yellow spots, which disappear with age.
Grows to 12 inches.

Inhabits Bengal, North-Western India, the Punjab, and Bom-
bay. P. Z. S, 1869, p. 501.

Oviposits in September, eggs 15 — 20. 25 mills in diameter,
hard-shelled, weight 125 grains.

E. vittata, Peters. Monats, 1854, p. 216. J.A.S., 1870, p. 343.
E. Ceylonensis, Gray. P. Z. S., 1855, p. 201.
E. punctata, Kelaart. Prod. Faun. Cey.
Very close to 'punctata, but the odd osseous sternal plate is
larger. Olive green, with indistinct brown stripes and minutely
punctated. Beneath white. Head green, radiately black striped.
Lips yellow. Grows to 13' 5 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon, Central and Southern India.
Gray considers his specimens from Ceylon identical with the
Goa species described by Peters. Sup., Cat. S. K., p. 117.

E. scutata, Peters. Monats, 1868, p. 440.
E. granosa, Sch. apud Theobald. Jour. Lin. Soc, Vol. X.
General appearance that of punctata, but no yellow spots on
the back. Odd plate of the sternum large. 2 inches broad in a
sternum of 7" 5 long. Grows to 8 inches or more.
Inhabits Pegu.

Family Chelonid^e.
Marine Chelonians with fins in place of feet.

Caouna, Gray.
Five pair of costal shields. Carnivorous. Unedible.

( S3 )

C. olivacea, Eschs. Zool. Atlas, Tab. 3.

C. olivacea, Gray. The Indian loggerhead.

Never less than fifteen vertebral and costal shields, but one or
more may be subdivided so as to raise the number to twenty.
Shields of the back strongly ridged in the young, which are black.
Smooth in the adult. Lays in March and April over 100 eggs,
spherical, white with a resilient skin. Diameter 1"55. "Weight
625 grains, and repeats the process once or twice in the year, as
I have extracted 260 unshelled eggs from the same female which
had just deposited 103 mature ones. Flesh coarse to a degree.

Abounds in the Bay of Bengal, and is often unsuspiciously con-
sumed as ' real turtle' by people who know no better.

Chelonia, Flemimj.
Four pair of costal shields only. Herbivorous. Edible,

C. virgata, Schw.

Easily distinguished from the last by having one pair less of
costal shields. Its flesh is occasionally poisonous according to
Sir Emerson Tennant, who quotes a fatal case in October due to
its use.

Inhabits Bay of Bengal, where it is far less numerous than

the last.

Caretta Merrem.

Four pair of costal shields. Shields of back imbricate. Car-
nivorous. Unedible.

C. squamata, Bontius.

The tortoise-shell turtle. Head elongate, narrow, and upper
jaw considerably beaked, whence its common name of ' Hawk's
bill turtle.' Scales of back keeled and imbricate. Does nat
often exceed two feet in length.

Inhabits Bay of Bengal, Ceylon, &c.

Dermatochelys, Blainville.

Shell sub-cordiform, covered with a coriaceous skin, and tra-
versed by seven longitudinal ridges. Carnivorous. Unedible.

11

( 34 )

D, coriacea, L,

Colour above (alive) dark neutral tint, irregularly ornamented
with white splashes as of whitewash. Eidges whitish. Below
and beneath paddles, pale flesh colour, blotched with pale black-
ish neutral, which in the sternum takes the form of three lonon-
tudinal bands on each side of the mesial suture. Fore-paddle 30
inches. Hind-paddle 2G. Head 12. Shell 66 inches over curve.
Eggs spherical, 1-6, vide Tickell's Paper. J. A. S., Vol. XXXI,
p. 367 with plate. Captured on the Tenasserim Coast of the Bay
of Bengal, where it is rare. Bell says this species eats moUusca,
fish, Crustacea, as well as algse. Tickell does not say he examined
the stomach but inclines to the idea of its food, beino; veg-etable
which idea Gunther has apparently followed. I have preferred
Bell's more precise observation to the contrary. Grows to 800 lbs.
weight.

Very much yet remains to be done before our knowledge of the
distribution of the Indian representatives of this Order of Reptiles
can be considered as complete. At present great doubt exists as to
the precise range of even the commoner species, and it is earnestly
hoped that friends favorably situated, especially in Southern
India, will give particular attention to the genera Batagur and
Trionyx. When practicable, a good series of all ages of each
species found in the district, of both these genera should be pro-
cured ; and judging from the number of species of Trionyx met
with east of the Bay of Bengal, several new species may, I
think, be confidently anticipated to occur in India Proper,
though from the difficulty of procuring these creatures, and their
somewhat uninviting appearance to the superficial observer, they
have hitherto enjoyed the advantages of inglorious neglect. Let
us hope this will now cease, and that the hard-shelled Batagar,
and the tender and wily Trionyx, will be in brisk request with
local collectors.

( 35 )
Order SAURIA.

Scaled reptiles usually possessing eyelids and four external
limbs. Rami of lower jaw connected by a bony suture. Limbs
and eyelids never both absent. Urinary products passed per
cloacam, the imperforate grooved penis acting as a copulatory
organ only.

The second Order of Reptiles is divisible into two main sections,
or sub-orders, as they might be termed. The first of which,
though embracing the most powerful of living predatory animals,
is still happily for man on the decline, and possesses no living
representatives comparable with the huge dinosaurians of the
secondary period. Formidable as are the grisly bear and the
tiger, yet in its own element a crocodile is more than a match for
either, and there are good reasons for supposing that even
elej^hants are sometimes seized and drowned when crossing
rivers infested by an unusually large individual, though on land
seemingly authentic cases have been recorded of tigers des-
troying small crocodiles for food by springing on them when
asleep, and dislocating the spine by bending back the head on
the neck with their paws.

Section A. Emydosauria. (Water Saurians.)

Vent longitudinal. The generative organs single. Penis
grooved. Oviparous. Inhabiting rivers, and occasionally the sea,
near the shore, within the tropics especially near the mouths of
rivers where free from rocks.

Family Crocodilid^.

Back protected by long plates embedded in the skin. Tail com-
pressed vertically for swimming. Teeth strong, conical embedded
in sockets, and replace^! from time to time by new teeth developed
beneath and within the old ones. Vent longitudinal, linear.
Habits predatory, aquatic, crepuscular, or nocturnal. Toes five
before, four behind. Claws three on all the feet.

( 36 )

Ckocodilus, Cuvier.

The fourth tooth of the lower jaw fits into a notch in the upper
jaw, so as to be visible, when the jaws are closed, the same teeth
in alligator being received within a pit. Food — turtles, fish or
carrion, the flesh of animals seized and drowned by them.

C. palustris Less.

C. valgaris var B. D. et B.
C. trigonops, Gray.
C. homhifrons, Gray.

C. hiporcatus Cautley not Cuvier. As. Researches,
Vol. XIX Tab, 3 f. 1—3.
Two pairs of anterior nuchal plates. Three pairs of large poste-
rior ones all strongly keeled. Six rows of strongly keeled dorsal
plates.

Colour pale olive, conspicuously black spotted. Grows to
30 feet.

Inhabits India and Ceylon. Common in lower Bengal. Rare
in PeOT.

-^&"

The largest head in the Calcutta Museum measures 29 inches.

'&

A head of 2620 belonsced to an animal 18 feet long and one of

o

24!"60 to an animal of 12 feet.

C. porosus Sch.

C. hiporcatus Cuv.

Anterior nuchal plates none or a pair of small ones. Dorsal
plates in eight rows in the middle of the back. Colour same as
the last, but easily distinguishable by its narrower and more
pointed head. Grows to 30 feet.

Inhabits India, and is very common along the east coast of the
Bay of Bengal. Very common in Pegu. Rare in Bengal. Breeds
in June or July when it is a dangerous and aggres sive animal
attacking small boats which cross its haunts.

C. Pondicerianus, Gray. Ann. Mag., N.H., 1862, p. 268.
Anterior nuchal plates none. Dorsal shields in four rows (in the
middle of the back only, in six). The type specimen figured in

( 37 )

Guntlmr's monograph was said to have come from Pondicheny,
but I have the verbal authority of my lamented friend Dr.
Stoliczka for the occurrence of the species at Akyab.

Gharialis, Geoffroy.

Snout very long and slender. Teeth slender, sharp. Food
fish, also carrion, though they are not known to seize animals
as crocodiles do.

G. Gangeticus, Gmel.

Dorsal shields is six rows in the middle of the back. Adult
males have a large hollow hump at the end of the snout in which
the nostrils are placed. The largest skull I have seen was
close on 30 inches. Giinther says it grows to 20 feet and
animals rarely exceed this limit.

Inhabits Bengal and the North-Western Provinces, Ganges,
and the Koladain river in Akyab but does not occur in Pegu.

Giinther's idea that the hollow hump on the nose of the male
is a provision to enable that sex to remain under water longer
than the other, is open to considerable doubt. It would seem
rather one of those sexual characters, the precise utility of which
to the individual is obscure, as the horn on some male beetles.

Section B. Sauria. (Land lizards.)

Vent transverse. Penis bifurcate lodged in the thick part of
the base of the tail, imperforate, erectile by eversion, and en-
circled by frills of horny scales, which vary in the different species
and serve the purpose of preventing the retraction of the organs
during congress, the vaginal chambers of the female, being
correspondingly situated. Jaws toothed, the rami of the mandi-
ble being united by an osseous suture. Generally oviparous,
though a few species produce living young. Food animal, a few
only being herbivorous. No poisonous species are known.

Family Varanid^.

Head covered with scale-like non-imbricate shields. Teeth
acute, compressed. Tongue elongate, slender, double, teminating

( 38 )

ill a long fork, retractile into a sheath at its base. Scales on back
small, equal, on the belly squares in cross bands. Toes five, and
claws on all feet.

Vaeanus, Merrem.

The nostrils in an oblique slit situated nearly midway between
eye and the extremity of snout. Scales elliptic, small subtan-
gential. Tail vertically compressed, with a crest of keeled scales.
Throat with a transverse fold. Claws five on all feet.

V. flavescens, Gray.
Nostrils nearer the nose than eye. Superciliary scales of
unequal size, the outer being smaller than the inner. Scales of
the upper parts strongly keeled, those of the belly smooth in
Go — 70 transverse series between the gular fold and loins. Colour
greenish or brownish olive, with irregular dark markings, con-
flaent into cross-bands on back and tail. Throat with irregular

CD

dark transverse bands.

Attains to four feet in length, of which the tail is more than
half. Toes shorter than in its congeners.

Inhabits Bengal, The North- Western Provinces, The Panjab,
and Birmah.

V. dracfena L.

Nostrils midway between the nose and eye. Superciliary
scales small. Scales of the back not keeled : of the belly smooth
in 85 — 95 transverse series. Colour brownish olive, black dotted,
each dot formed of a single scale.

Attains to four feet in length, of which the tail is three-fifths.

Inhabits Bengal, The North-Western Provinces, The Panjab,
Central and Southern India, Ceylon and Birmah.

y, lunatus, Gray.
Nostrils midway between the nose and eye. Suj)erciliary
scales small. Scales of back not keeled ; of the belly smooth in
105 transverse rows. Colour brownish olive. Neck, body an<l
tail with broad transverse bands the first formed by a dark
streak from either eye meeting on the neck, the angle being.

( 39 )

directed backwards on neck and forwards on the body. Sides and
legs yellow dotted.

Inhabits the North-Western Provinces.

V. nebulosus, Gray,

Nostril nearer the eye than nose. A series of enlarged
shields runs along the middle of the superciliary region. Scales
of neck and back with an obtuse keel ; of the belly smooth in
80 transverse rows. Colour reddish brown mingled with yellow,
and yellow spotted. A few indistinct streaks about the nape and
dark bands towards the end of the tail. Head yellowish. Grows
to four and a half feet, of which the tail is three-fifths.

Inhabits Bengal and Birmah.

"&"

Hydrosaurus, Wagler.

Nostrils rounded, near the extremity of the snout. Other
characters as in Varanus.

H. salvator Laur.

Nostrils anteriorly placed. A series of enlarged shields covers
the inner half of the superciliary region. Scales of the neck
and back with a very obtuse keel ; of the belly smooth in 90
transverse rows. Colour dark brown or brownish black. Limbs
yellow spotted. Four transverse bands of yellow rings or ocelli
across the back. Tail at base yellow and black mottled, and
then posteriorly broadly black and yellow banded. Beneath
yellowish ; throat black spotted. Grows to nearly seven feet in
length, of which the tail is three-fifths.

Inhabits Bengal, Ceylon and Birmah.

PsAMMOSAURUS, Fitziuger.

Tail rounded without keel. Other characters as in Varanits.

P. scincus Merr.

V. ornatus Carlleyle. J. A. S., 1869, p. 192.
Nostrils nearer the eye than nose. Superciliary scales small
and granular.

( 40 )

Scales of the neck and back keeled ; of the belly smooth ;
slightly raised in the centre, in 116 transverse rows. Colour
olive greenish ashy, passing on neck into orange. Crown of head
black, with lines of the same colour below and behind the eyes;
down the neck also a median black line along the nape and some
other less distinct lines and dashes on nose, neck and shoulders.
Below white. Tail slightly more than half total length.

Length of type of the above description 29 inches, but doubtless
grown larger as traces of ocelli indicative of nonage were observ-
able.

Inhabits the North-Western Provinces and the Panjab.

The Varanidse are carnivorous, not disdaining carrion, and are
hence often seen about buildings in search of offal. They are
esteemed however for food by the non- Aryan races and by many
Europeans ; and are often hunted for by dogs, whose scent enables
them to discover their prey in the hollow trees or holes within
which they habitually take shelter. They lay numerous eggs, in
the rainy season in the ground usually selecting a deserted white
ant's nest for the purpose. The eggs are whitish, cylindrical
with tapering ends, two inches or more long, and of a leathery
texture.

The young of all the species differ from the adults, by being
much more brightly coloured and ornamented with streaks and
ocelli which disappear with age.

Family Lacertid^.

Head covered with symmetrical shields. Tongue slender, free
exsertile ; tip forked. Scales of back granular or rhombic ; of the
sides granular; of the belly quadrangular or rounded, in trans-
verse bands. No lateral fold, but usually one across the throat.
Tail very long, with verticillate scales. Eyes diurnal. Tympanum
distinct. Limb four.

Tachydromus, Daudin,

Nostril usually in a single shield immediately above the
labials. Eyelids distinct. Dorsal scales large, strongly keeled ;

( 41 )

forming longitudinal ridges. Ventrals keeled. Femoral pores
none. Inguinal pores, one or two on either side. Tail with rings
of keeled quadrilateral shields,

T. sexlineatus, Daud.

Dorsal scales in four longitudinal rows. Ventrals, in six cen-
tral and three lateral rows on each side, in all twelve longitudinal
rows, and twenty -two or three transverse. Chin shields three
pairs. Colour greenish bronze above, with sometimes a pair of
silvery bands. Sides greenish, separated from the back by a
narrow black line running from the nostril through the eye and
tympanum. Beneath yellowish. Length fourteen inches, of
which the tail is nearly five-sixths. Body 25 ; tail 11"5 = 14
inches in Giinther's specimen.

Inhabits Kachar, Assam, and Birmah.

Stoliczka's Sikkim specimen had two nasal shields, vide J. A.
S,, 1872, part 2, p. 87.

T. Haughtonianus, Anderson. P. Z. S., Lon., Feb. 1871.

Dorsal scales in six longitudinal rows. Ventrals in ten lon-
gitudinal and twenty-seven transverse rows. Chin shields four
pairs the last as large as the three anterior ones. Colour similar
to sex-lineatus, but the back is darker, and the lateral green
stripe broader. Tail, a trifle over, four-fifths of entire length,
(type 2.3 -H 5.9 = 8.2).

Inhabits Goalpara, Assam.

Cabkita, Gray.

Nasal shields swollen, variable in number. No collar, but
a fold before the shoulder. Lower eyelid with a large trans-
parent disk. Dorsal and lateral scales keeled, similar, in oblique
rows. Ventrals quadrate, smooth, in longitudinal rows. Fe-
moral pores. Colouration brown, not gray.

C, Leschenaultii, D. et B.
Nostril at the extremity of the muzzle ridge between two
shields forming a suture with the rostral, and followed by two
small post-nasals. Ventrals in six longitudinal and twenty-three

F

( 42 )

to twenty-seven transverse rows. Colour of head above dusky,
of centre of back brown, bordered with black against a
white line running from behind the eyebrows to tail. Sides
brown, finely mottled with black, and bounded below with a
second less distinct white line from the upper labials, through
the tympanum, above the shoulder, to the thigh. Below, this
between thigh and shoulder, is a black-mottled apple-green band.

Lower parts white. Grows to five and a half inches, whereof
the tail is seven-tenths.

Inhabits South-East Berar, Chanda, and Udipur, vide W. T.
Blanford, J. A. S., B., 1870, p. 345. Coromandel Coast, Leschen-
nault.

C. brunnea. Gray,

Nostrils at the extremity of the muzzle ridge between two
nasal shields, followed by a smaller one.

Inhabits the Kavery valley in the Koimbator and Salem
districts.

C. Jerdoni, Bed. Mad. Monthly J. of Med. Scien., 1874, p. 34.

Nostrils between three shields, one before, two behind. The
prsenasal large, articulating with the rostral or postnasal and
prsefrontal. A postnasal articulating with the first labial and
the anterior loreal, and a second postnasal on the muzzle ridge
articulating with the anterior loreal and prsefrontal. Ventrals in
twenty to twenty-four transverse rows. Colour much as in
C. LeschenauUii. Grows to five inches of which the tail is seven-
tenths.

Inhabits the Kavery valley, South-East Berar, the Southern
portion of the Central Provinces, and Chutia Nagpur.

AcANTHODACTYLUs, Fitzinger.
Nostril between three shields, of which the lower forms the
first labial. Eyelids present, A scaly fold across the throat.
Femoral pores.

A. Cantoris, Gunther.
Supranasals contiguous, preefrontal nearly square. Posterior
frontals longer than broad, obtusely keeled. Superciliaries three

( 43 )

(the anterior one being small), and separated from the orbital
margin by small scales. Two pairs of occipitals enclosing a very-
minute median one. Chin shields five pairs, the three first being
contiguous. Scales on the back strongly keeled, imbricate, in
thirteen longitudinal rows ; on the neck very small. Ventrals
smooth, square in twelve longitudinal rows. Femoral pores
twenty on each thigh. Colour greenish olive above, with reticu-
lated dark lines; below whitish. Length seven inches, of which
the tail is nearly two-thirds.

Inhabits the outer hills bordering the Punjab.

A. Nilgherrensis, Jerdon. J. A. S., 1853, p. 476, is probably
a Cape species according to Jerdon himself, — P. A. S., B.,
March 1870, p. 79.

Mesalina, Gray.

Nostril on the ridge between three swollen shields, the lower
and anterior moderate, hinder upper, small, triangular. Collar
indistinct, sub-angular, attached in the middle, free on the side.
No fold under the ears. Toes five on all feet. Prseanal single, with
one or two series of small scales round it. Scales of the back
rhombic or circular, not imbricate, of the belly smooth, contracted
behind, arranged in oblique rows.

M. brevirostris, Blanford. Ann. and Mag., N. H., 1874.

Closely resembles _par(i(xZ is, but the ventral shields are in 12 not
10 rows. Head short and his-h.
Inhabits the Indus valley near Kalabagh.

M. Watsonana, Stol. P. A. S., B., 1872, p. 86.

Prsefrontal single, hexagonal. Postfrontals form a short suture.
Superciliaries two on each side, margined externally by granular
scales and parted from the postfrontals by a small triangular
shield. Five occipitals, the anterior being pentagonal, the poste-
rior triangular and separated by a small shield. Two loreals
the first very narrow, the last larger, triangular. 9-10 upper
labials, the fifth and sixth largest and beneath the orbit. 7-9
lower labials, the fifth or sixth largest and followed by much

( 44 )

smaller shields. Five pair of chin shields, the fourth largest.
Ear spacious, margined above in front with a long naiTow shield.
Scales above, granular in about 45 rows in the middle of the
body, on the upper side of the limbs slightly keeled, on the tail,
enlarged, verticillate, and sharply keeled. Shields of the belly
enlarged, trapezoid in 8 rows.

Femoral pores 12-15 on each thigh separated in the prseanal
region. The lower eyelid granular with some enlarged flat
shields in the centre. Shoulder fold well-developed. Colour
brownish olive, with four alternating rows of white spots, with
some blackish ones down the back, and one or two rows down
the sides tending to form bands. A dark stripe behind the thigh
and dark marks on the tail. Below greenish white.

Grows to 6*50 inches (tail 2*10).

Inhabits Synd.

My friend, W. T. Blanford, suggests the identity of this species
and M. pardalis Licht, and it may be so, but pardalis is
described as having " two transparent plates" on the lower eyelid,
a character I cannot think Stoliczka would have overlooked when
describing the " enlarged flat shields " of this species.

Ophiops, Menetries.
Nostril on the muzzle ridge between two or three swollen
nasals, or more rarely in a single partly divided plate : two
or three postnasals. Eyelids none. Collar none, only a small
fold in front of shoulder. Scales of back keeled, imbricate, of
belly smooth. Femoral pores. Tympanum distinct.

O.Jerdoni, Blyth. J. A. S., XXII, p. 653.

Fseudophiops Theohaldi, Jerdon. P. A. S., B., Feb. 1870, p. 71 .
Scales of back in twenty-four to twenty-eight rows, all save
the outer row sharply keeled. On the belly, six rows of enlarged
smooth scales. Head shields plicated, rather variable. One
. anterior, two posterior frontals. Loreals two, the second large and
separated from the eye by some small scales. Superciliaries
large, two on either side. Eight upper and seven lower labials.
Femoral pores ten on each thigli ; pores pierced in the posterior

( 45 )

ano-le of the scales. Tail encircled with equal verticillate keeled
scales. Colour variable. Bronze, with four rows of dark spots
down the back, a well-defined pale streak separating the outer
rows. A pale median streak is sometimes present. Stoliczka
describes four white bands on his specimens. Two rows of black
dots are also usually present. The type was from Mhow and
measured. Body I'S; tail 2-25 = 375 inches. Adult specimens
reach to nearly five inches.

O. monticola Beddome. Mad. Monthly J. of Med. Scien.
PseudophiopsBeddomei, Jerdon. P. A. S., B., March 1870, p. 72.

" Nostrils lateral in the lower part of a large nasal shield,
with two small postnasals, the lower one the larger, but both
too-ether not equalling the nasal: loreal region concave; loreals
two, the posterior much the larger, and separated from the eye by
several small shields, nine upper labials, the fifth very large and
under the eye. Eight lower labials all nearly equal. Medial
lower labial very large, six pair of chin shields (exactly the
same as in P. Jerdoni, the three first pair forming a suture, the
sixth very small. Anterior frontals one small pair about the size
of the nasal or rarely three shields, the intermediate one being the
smallest, rarely only two. Vertical, superciliaries, and occipitals
as in P. Jerdoni ; but the shield between the first occipitals is
rather larger than in that species, and all the head shields are
lono-itudinally plicated (as in P. Jerdoni) but more warty.
Femoral pores 10 on each side, none in the prseanal region, a
single large prseanal shield with a second one behind it about
half its size (as in P. Jerdoni). Scales of the back in 25 — 62
rows, acutely keeled except in the two rows adjoining the
abdominal scales. Keels more prominent towards and on the tail
and forming continuous raised ridges. Abdominal scales large and
smooth in six rows. Colour uniform brownish above, with
sometimes a paler indistinct streak along each side of the back
from the postoccipitals to the tail and a more prominent whitish
streak along each side from the ear to the hind leg. Belly
uniform whitish."

( 46 )

- Inhabits the Brahmagiri hills in the Wynaad at 5000 feet
and more sparingly the plains of South Kanara near Sulyay.

The synonyms quoted above apply either to individual
varieties or local races. 0. Theohaldi Jerdon has a linear shield
intercalated between the posterior frontals, and is from the hills
bordering the Punjab. 0. Beddomei J. which is identical with
0 monticola Bed. is a form possessing two anterior frontals
in place of the usual single one, and has been taken at
the Bremnagherry hills by Beddome, and at Khandala by
Stoliczka, who, after reviewing many specimens, is inclined to
unite the above forms, with some reservation however as regards
the last (vide StoHczka, J. A. S., 1872, Part II, p. 89).

O. microlepis, W. Bl. J. A. S., 1870, p. 351, pi. XV, f. 1—5.

Gymnops, W. Bl. J. A. S., 1870, p. 351.

Chondrophiops, W. Bl. J. A. S., B., Part II, 1873, p. 144.

Nostril between two inflated nasal shields, with a third behind
just separated from it.

Upper labials eight, the fifth enlarged and below the orbit; chin
shields six pairs, the two first meeting. Scales of back strongly
keeled, very small, smaller than, (and not oblique as) in Cah.
Leschenaultli, fifty in each transverse row; of the beUy
rhomboidal in six longitudinal rows, whereof the outer are
emaller than the rest. Two large prseanals one before the other.
Femoral pores fourteen on each side. Tail rather more than
two-thirds of total length. Colour on head and middle of back
gray, with dusky marks on sides, especially near a narrow
white bounding line running from superciliary ridge to tail, where
it is lost in a broader pale reddish band. A second less distinct
white line runs from below the eye above the shoulder, fading
behind. Below this on the sides a few green spots are seen
during life. Beneath white. Total length is little over seven
inches.

Inhabits Korba in Bilaspur, Central Provinces — Blanford;
Western Bengal — Stoliczka.

( 47 )

O. meizolepsis, Stol. Proc. As. Soc, 1872, p. 124.
Gymnops meizolepis, Stol.
FoiTu and proportions of the body quite similar to meizolepis,
but the scales are larger and fewer.

Nostril moderately swollen between an upper and lower
shield (the former in contact behind the rostral) and a third
small postnasal followed by a small shield like a detached portion
of the anterior loreal or prsefrontal. A ring of small shields
round the eye; 8 upper labials, the fifth under the eye and
much narrowed at the lower edge. The eighth is in contact
with an upper large and a lower small shield on the front edge of
the spacious ear. Scales of sides and back keeled in 28 longi-
tudinal and 45 transverse rows on the body between the fore
and hind limbs. Colour olive green above with whitish dorsal
edges accompanied by a series of smaller blackish spots on the
inner, and considerably larger ones on the outer margins. A white
band from below the eye through the ear, and above the sides to
the groin, with dark spots or markings below it.

Grows to 4'70 inches (tail 1"50).

Inhabits the country south-west of Kalabagh.

Family Zonurid^.

Head covered with symmetrical shields. Tongue flat, nicked;
scales of back and tail large, squarish, sides with a distinct
longitudinal fold. Scales of the belly squarish or roundish, in
cross bands. Tail rounded. Ears distinct. Eyes diurnal, with lids.

PsEUDOPUS, Merrem.

Body and tail long, snake-like. Limbless, or with only a pair
of rudimentary hind legs. Scales quadrangular, arranged in
transverse rows.

P. gracilis. Gray.
Ophiseps tessalatus, Blyth.
Body and tail of nearly uniform bulk throughout, with vent
placed in the middle. Dorsal scales slightly keeled, in fourteen

( 48 )

longitudinal series. Ventrals smooth, in ten longitudinal series.
(Blyth gives 8 for his ophiseps). Scales very lustrous. Colour
above yellowish brown, with some, (during life) shining turquoise
blue, spots irregularly distributed. Length fifteen inches.

Inhabits the Sikkim Himalayas. The Khasi hills, and Eastern
Bengal (Anderson). Kangoon (Blyth),

Family Scincid^.

Head covered with symmetrical shields. Tongue free, exsertile,
bilobed at the tip. Scales of the back rounded, quincuncial,
imbricate, of the belly and sides similar. No gular or lateral
fold. No femoral or inguinal pores. Tail rounded fragile.

Section A, scales keeled.

Tropidophorus, Dum et Bib.

Scales strongly keeled. Tail rounded, the keeled scales forming
series of spines. Nostril in a single small shield. Limbs four.
Toes five.

T. Berdmorei, Blyth.

Aspris Berdmorei, Blyth. J. A. S., 1853, p. 650.

One very large anterior frontal, larger than the vertical. Two
small triangular postfrontals, with their apices only touching, A
large but narrow six-sided vertical. Two moderate anterior and
two large posterior occipitals, enclosing a minute shield. Four
very large superciliaries, with some small scales beneath. Upper
labials six, the fourth largest. Lower labials four, the first largest.
Keeled scales of the back form parallel ridges. Scales of belly
smooth, with crenated margins. Limbs small. Colour pale olive
brown, with rather irregular broadish oblique, transverse bars
of pale red, black margined. Sides, throat, and tail white-
spotted. Belly yellow. Body 3*50 ; tail 375 = 7-25 inches.

Inhabits Pegu and Tenasserim.

My specimens were captured among wet gravel in the stony
beds of steams. The scales are duller and less lustrous than is
usual in this family.

( 4a )

EuPREPES, Wagler.
Each scale with several keels. Tail rounded without spiues.
Nostril in a single small shield.

a — lower eyelid scaly {Tiliqua, Gray).

E, carinatus, Schn.

E. rufescens, Shaw,

Scincus, multifasciatus, Kuhl.

Tiliqua ruhriventris, Gray.

T. carinata, Gray.

T. affinis, Gray.

Plestiodon SikJcimensis, Gray.
Scales three, sometimes five keeled. The praefrontal is gene-
rally separated from the rostral and vertical by the supranasals
and postfrontals, but sometimes touches one of them. The
fifth labial is under the orbit, and is much longer than high.
Scales in 28 to SO longitudinal, and between limbs SO, rows.
Colouration variable. The prevailing hue is a rich olive brown
or bronze, darker on the sides, and with a pale lateral stripe
from over the eye down each side of the back. This lateral
stripe is often white-spotted, or of a very pronounced yellow, and
seasonally the sides are deeply suffused with red. The back
is often black-dotted, or with a blackish streaks along the series
of scales. Viviparous. Does not usually exceed eleven inches,
of which the body is rather more or less than three-eighths.
Gllnther notes specimens of sixteen inches, of which the body
was six inches, whilst Stoliczka received one of twenty inches
from the Andamans, of which the tail was nearly twelve. The
largest specimens would seem to come from the east of the Bay
of Bengal and its islands.

Inhabits Bengal, the North- Western Provinces, the Punjab,
Central and Southern India, Ceylon, Arakan, Berar, and the
Malayan Peninsula. The Andamans, &c.

E. Macularius, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 652.
E. rufescens, Shaw, young, apud Cantor.
Closely resembles E. carinatus, but the scales are five to seven
keeled, and the species is a much smaller one, and of less stout

G

( 50 )

habit and shorter limbs. Colour pale bronze, black-spotted ;
spots long and streaky; from nose to tail a long black band,
on either side, white margined above. Scales in 30 longitudinal,
and 28 rows between limbs. Colours display the same seasonal
variation as carinatus. Length of Indian specimens collected
by Blanford. Body 21 ; tail 3-6 = 57 ; but I have seen Burmese
specimens. Body 3'2 ; tail 4-2 = 7*4. This species was united
with carinatus (rufescens) by Cantor, who regarded it as the
young, but in addition to other differences, it is oviparous,
whereas carinatus is viviparous.

Inhabits Bengal, Central India, Assam, Kachar, Arakan,
Birmah, and the Malayan Peninsula, and is not unlikely co-ex-
tensive with carinatus.

E. trivittatus, Gray.

Closely resembles carinatus, but the head is shorter and higher.
Scales with three median keels, with two indistinct lateral ones.
Scales in 36 longitudinal, and 40 — 42 rows between limbs. Colour
above olive brown, with three narrow equidistant greenish
Avhite bands, margined with blackish brown, with a lateral band
below passing through the ear, all five bands continued less
distinctly on the tail. Length. Body 325 ; tail 475 = 8*00
inches.

Inhabits Jaulnah, Central India (Jerdon) ; the Dekkan. (Sto-
liczka).

E. septemlineatus, Blanford. J. A. S., 1872, Pt. II., p. 360.
A smaller species than carinatus. Scales three keeled. Ear
opening small, with two or three small lobules in front.
Scales in 30 longitudinal, and 28 rows between limbs. Colour
above brownish black, with seven equidistant narrow white
stripes, three dorsal, the rest lateral, the upper lateral stripe
running from the superciliaries, the lower from the upper labials.
The stripes vanish on the tail. Plates of the head with pale
margins. Hind legs white-spotted. Beneath white. A single
specimen only taken, measures nearly four inches.
Inhabits South-Easterfi Bcrar.

( 51 )

E. olivaceus, Gray. Giinther Monog. I. R., p. 80.
Dasia olivacea, Gray.

A pair of small supranasal shields. The prefrontal forms a
suture with the rostral and nearly touches the vertical. The
fifth upper labial is below the orbit and not much longer than
high. Ear small^ nearly covered with scales. Scales Math three
or more slight keels, not denticulated behind and in 28-30 rows,
both longitudinal and transverse. Prseanals not enlarged. Sub-
caudals slightly enlarged. Colour above brownish with some 12
narrow irregular black transverse streaks, each black scale having
a white spot. Below greenish olive. Young above black with
silvery transverse bars. Head shields black margined, a black
line from snout to ear. Tail scarlet.

Grows to 9 inches (tail 5 '00).

Inhabits the Malay Peninsular. The Nikobars, &c.

E. novem-carinatus, Anderson. J. A. S., B., 1871, p. 12.

Scales nine keeled, the three central keels strongly marked.
Supranasals form°^a suture behind the rostral. Prtefrontals, post-
frontals, and vertical meet in a point. Ear obliquely oval, with
two or three prominent lobules. Scales in 32 longitudinal, and
42 rows between limbs. Colour above olive brown, with four or
five narrow longitudinal black lines down the back. A deep
brown band from the nostril over the ear down the side to the
base of the tail, and above it a white band over the supercilium
and along the back and another through the upper labials and ear
to the shoulder. A faint broken blackish line from the gape to
the shoulder, and three or four from behind the shoulder along
the sides. Limbs with five black lines and scattered white spots.

Length, body 3.9; tail 4'3 = 7"2 inches.
Inhabits Mandelay, Upper Birmah.

The greater number of rows of scales, between the limbs besides
other points of difference, distinguish this species from carina-
tus, macularius, septimlineatus, and olivaceus, and its coloration
and greater number of keels from trivittatus.

( 52 )
h — Lower eyelid with a transparent disk (Euprepis, Or ay).

E. monticola, Giintli. Monog. I. R., p. 80.

Scales witli two prominent keels, and sometimes an indistinct
median keel as well. Opening of the ear rather small, with lobules
in front. Scales in 35,86 longitudinal, and 34 — 40 rows between
limbs. Upper and lateral parts greenish olive, with a light band
running along each side of the back ; back black-spotted ; sides
white-spotted. A white or yellowish black-edged streak below
the eye continued to near the ear. Edges of eyelids bright
yellow. Beneath yellowish white. Grows to 8*5 or more, of
which the tail is 5 inches.

Inhabits Sikkim (probably the warm valleys), Jabalpur, The
Punjab (Kalka).

E. trilineatus. Gray.

Scales with six or seven strong keels. Opening of ear small,
with two or more elongate lobules in front. Scales in 30 longi-
tudinal, and 28 rows between limbs. Colour yellowish brown,
with three black-edged white stripes down the forepart of the
back. Hinder part of back yellow-dotted. Limbs and tail and
below reddish (seasonally).

Length, body 3-2 ; tail 4*0 = 7" 2 inches.

Inhabits the Karnatic (Jerdon).

E. Beddomei, Jerdon. P. A. S., B., March 1870.
Closely allied to trilineatus, but has a shorter and more ele-
vated head and shorter muzzle, the posterior upper labials being
larger and higher ; differs too by the median occipital plate being
pointed, and not truncated behind, and by five pale bands extend-
ing to the base of the tail.

E. innotatus, Blanford, W. J. A. S ., B., 1870, Part II, p. 354.
Opening of the ear not very small, with two or three small
lobules in front. Scales with five (rarely three or four) well-
marked equidistant keels. Scales in 32 rows longitudinal, and
between limbs. Colour above olivaceous, sides purplish brown.
A whitish line from the nostril along the superciliary ridge

( 53 )

halfway down the back, and another less defined from the tym-
panum to the shoulder. Sides of neck white-spotted, hinder -parts
yellowish. Seasonally a red band from thigh to shoulder. From
trilineatus and Beddomei, this species differs in its less numer-
ously keeled scales and colouring.
Inhabits South-Eastern Berar.

E. longicaudatus, Anderson. J. A. S., B., 1871, p. 13.

Tail long and tapering two and a half times as long as the
body (and head). A long narrow linear supranasal, not conti-
guous with its fellow. Posterior frontals form a broad suture.
Ear opening moderate, without lobules. Scales with four to six
keels, and in 30 longitudinal, and 28 rows between limbs. Colour
of back and sides uniform, dark brown. Lower parts greenish
white.

Length of body 1*4; tail 3-6 = 5*0 inches.

Inhabits Kachar.

Anderson likens this form to monticala, but without saying
if the lower eyelid is scaly, as Giinther erroneously states of that
species.

E. Petersii, Stein.

Scales in 36 longitudinal rows; the scales of the back 2 keeled,
of the sides faintly 2-3 keeled. Head flat above. Two concave
loreals higher than long. Internasals not in contact with the
rostral. Upper labials 7, the first four quadrangular; the fifth very
long, under the eye. Ear opening broad and guarded by 3 or 4
prominent pointed scales. Colour above brown, with a yellow
vertebral band (sometimes absent) and another, black marginal
on the side. Some specimens with cross bands of black spots.
A black and yellow line under the eye.

Collected at Chumba by F. Stoliczka.

Stein dachuer likens this species to mo7iticola, but supposing
(from Gilnther's description) that that species had a scaly lower
eyelid, uses erroneously that character to discriminate the two.

Without, however, a comparison of specimens, I do not like to
unite them.

( 54 )

RiSTELLA, Gray.

Body and tail elongate sub-cylindrical. Lower ej^elid scaly.
Limbs four feeble, anterior with four, posterior with five toes.
All toes provided with retractile claws, lying between two terminal
enlarged shields.

R. Travankorica, Bed dome.

Ateuchesaurus Travancoricus, Beddome. Mad. Month-
ly J., Med. Scl., 1870, p. 33.
Nostril nearly in the middle of a nasal shield. One loreal
and one prseocular separated from the eye by a few minute
shields. Three or four minute shields at hinder angle of eye
followed by regular scales. Upper labials six, the eye over the
third and fourth. Scales on neck smooth, on the body two
keeled. Scales in twenty-six longitudinal rows. Six on the back,
and six on the belly somewhat larger. Colour dark fulvous brown,
each of the six dorsal scales with a median black streak formino-
black lines continued on the tail. Sides blackish, with small
white spots. Below yellowish white-black, spotted on chin and
throat. Tail below variegated, with black and yellowish white.
Length, body 1-50 ; tail 2-12 = 3-G2 inches.

Inhabits the Western Ghats (Beddome).

In redescribing this species as a Ristella in the Mad. Monthly
J. M. S., 1871, p. 195, Major Beddom forgets to mention that its
generic position was pointed out to him by Stoliczka (vide J. A,
S., 1872, Part XII, p. 129),

Section B. Scales smooth.

HiNULiA, Gray.
Lower eyelid scaly. Supranasal none.

H. Indica, Gray.

The single prsefrontal touches both rostral and vertical. Four
superciliary shields, followed by two smaller ones. Ear laro-e,
without lobules in front. Tail with enlarged subcaudals.
Colour above bronze brown, sometimes olive tinged, uniform

( 55 )

or with a few scattered dark spots. Sides dark banded, indis-
tiuctly margined above with white, and passing below into dull
brown marbled with paler. Sides of tail greyish brown, with
an upper dark edge and darker marbled, with a few pale spots
and indistinct stripes. Below greenish white. Limbs and tail
during life a pale fleshy brown. Grows to ten inches, of which
the tail is two-thirds. Scales round body thirty-eight rows,
between axil and groin forty-six.

Inhabits Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam, and Birmah.

H. maculata, Blyth.

Lissonata maculata, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 653.

The single prsefrontal touches both rostral and vertical. Five
rather tumid superciliaries. Vertical much narrowed behind,
almost ending in a point, followed by two pairs of occipitals, the
liinder being separated by an elongated shield. Colour above
brownish olive or pale bronze, with two series of black dots.
A dark band along the sides, from the rostral, evanescent on the
tail, and margined above and below with a pale streak continued,
with scalloped or undulated margins to the tip of the tail. The
sides in adults grey marbled. Below whitish. Scales round
body in thirty-six, between axil and groin in ninety-six rows.

Length, body 2-75 ; tail 4-00 == 6-7Q inches.

Inhabits Rungpur (Blyth), Pegu (Theobald), Martaban
(Stoliczka), and the Andamans (Tytler).

This is very close to Indica a stouter and larger form, but in
this species, the scales between the fore and hind legs are in 96
rows, whilst in Indica they are according to Gunther only in 46.

II. Dussumicrii, D. et B.
The single prsefrontal touches both rostral and vertical, but
only just separates the posterior frontals. Superciliaries five,
much swollen, followed by two small shields. Ear a long vertical
slit, without lobules in front. Colour fulvous, olive-tinged in
front, reddish posteriorly, with two sub-marginal black bands,
partially broken up and becoming obsolete on tail. A metallic
greenish white line from superciliaries along the sides of the

( 56 )

back, distinct on neck, but fading on tail, which is reddish.
A black band from the nasal through the eye along the side to
near the end of tail, with a narrow white border below, behind
the eye, with a second black streak below, posteriorly, near the
vent. Below greenish iridescent white. Legs above olive brown
darker marbled and with indistinct fulvous spots. Scales round
body in 40 rows, between axil and groin in 76.

Length, body 1-87 ; tail 1-87 = 3-74- inches.

Inhabits Malabar (Dussumier and Beddome).

H. Taprobanensis, Kelaart. Prod. Faun. Zey., p. 21,
The single prefrontal forms a suture with the rostral. Prsefrontal,
postfrontals, and vertical meet in a point. Four superciliaries.
The anterior occipitals sometimes united into one shield. Two
loreals. Ear with two very small lobules in front. Colour brown,
above with a light band running from above the tympanum
along the side of the back, sides black. Lower parts yellowish.
Some individuals have the head and throat dark greenish blue,
with numerous white dots, in others these parts are uniform
brown.

Length, body 2'0 ; tail 3"5 = 5*5 inches.
Inhabits Newera-ellia, Ceylon.

MocoA, Gray.
Lower eyelid with a transparent disk. Supranasals none.

M. Sikkimensis, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1854, p. 652.

Superciliaries four. Posterior occipitals about twice as large as
anterior ones. Three or four pairs of elongate transverse shields
behind the occipitals. Seven upper labials, the fifth under the eye,
not much elongated. A pair of large prseanals. Scales in 24
longitudinal rows ; between axil and groin 46. Hind foot three-
fifths the space between the fore and hind limbs. Colour bronze
brown, either uniform, or with from three to five irregular series
of dark brown dots. Sides blackish brown, margined above with
an indistinct pale line; sides white-spotted especially below.
Body 2 00 ; tail 3-25 = 5-25 inches.

Inhabits Sikkim, between 3,000 and 10,000 feet.

( 57 )

M. Hlmalayana, Gunther. Monog. I. R., p. 86.

Closely allied to SikJdmensis, but the scales are in 26 — 28 longi-
tudinal rows, and between axil and groin 48 — 50. The scales of
the sides are slightly smaller, and the limbs more slender, than in
SikJcimensis, and the ear and transparent disk are larger. A
pair of large prseanals. The posterior frontals are more developed
almost meeting the anterior frontal and the vertical in a point,
while in Slkkimensis the two posterior frontals always remain
well-separated. Colour above greenish olive, with a few inter-
rupted series of dark and whitish dot?. A dark lateral band
from the nose through the eye, margined above with white and
more broadly below, from the orbit to the thigh. Below greenish
white. Length four inches, of which the tail is half.

Inhabits Gurhwal, the Western Himalayas, and Kashmir.

M. Schlegelii, Gunther. Monog. I. R., p. 86.

Very close to Slkkimensis, but described as having striated
scales in 25 longitudinal and 35 transverse series. Four pr?eanal
shields, the two central largest. Colour above uniform black.
Beneath blackish.

Inhabits Sikkim, between 8,000 and 9,000 feet according to
the brothers Schlagintweit.

M, sacra, Stoliczka.
Head sliields as in Sikkimensis, but the postnasal scarcely
reaches the top of the head, and the fifth upper lable is longer.
Ear in front with three equal lobules, one pair of large prseanals.
Habit slender. Scales in 22 longitudinal row, and between axil and
groin 40 rows. Hind foot two-thirds the space between the fore
and hind limbs. Colour light bronze brown, with a few dark
brown spots scattered on the head and body, each dark spot
accompanied by one or two indistinct pale spots. A narrow
black band from the nose through the eye, above the ear fading
towards the belly ; margined superiorly with white. Labials
spotted with darker. Beneath greenish white.

( 58 )

Body 1-37 ; tall 2-00 = 3-37 inches.
Inhabits Parasnath hill in Western Bengal.
Very close to Sikkimensis, but of a more slender habit and
with longer hind feet.

M. formosa, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 651.

No enlarged prseanal shields. Form robust.

Colour olive green, with dark lateral bands, pale margined
above, the dark bands speckled with greenish white, the paler
bands with black. Between the pale bands, down the nape and
body run five narrow black lines, variegated with angular
greenish white spots. Limbs minutely pencilled with black and
spots and streaks of the same on the head.

Length, body 3-50 ; tail 3-50 = 7*00 inches.

Inhabits Mirzapur, North- Western Provinces, and Wazirabad
in the Panjab.

M. bilineata. Gray.

Head much as in Sikkimensis. Front margin of ear with a
pair of tubercles, not denticulated. A pair of large prteanals.
Scales in 24 longitudinal, and between limbs in 44 transverse rows.
Colour brownish olive above, greenish white below. A broad
dark band runs from the nostril to end of tail, enclosing below a
whitish lateral line. A pair of black lines from the nape along
the back in adults, wanting in the young. Length 5 inches,
of which the tail is half.

Inhabits the Nilghiri hills, towards their summits, under stones,

M. Travankorica Bed. Mad. Mont. J. Med. Sc, Jan. 1870, p. 34.

" Supranasal shield none. The lower eyelid with a round trans-
parent space. A single prsefrontal is in contact with the rostral
as well as the vertical. Four superciliary shields with a pair
of very small shields between them and the eye. Anterior
occipital single, or rarely double, a diamond-shaped shield
between the upper part of the posterior pair of occipitals. Ear
without tubercles or denticulation. Vent with a pair of large

( 59 )

anals, sub-caudals broad. Scales in 22 longitudinal series. Limbs,
feeble. The fore legs extend nearly to the eye, the hind leg rather
more than half way to the axils of the fore. The fourth hind
toe is a quarter or a little more shorter, than the third. Greenish
olive above and very shining. A narrow black band sometimes
broken into sj)ots down the centre of the back disappearing
on the tail and irregular or wanting on the neck. Sides blackish ;
belly pearl coloured ; tail bluish beneath ; the black band down
the back is sometimes entirely absent."

Inhabits the Travankor hills, and the Wynaad.

M. Stoliczkae, Stein. Reise der Novara. Rep., p. 45.

Ear opening longish with 3 — 4 very small scale-like tubercles,
prominent and rounded off, the central largest. Four superciliary
plates. A pair of front occipital plates. Eight upper labials. The
sixth under the orbit larger than the fifth, but smaller than the
seventh. Loreal region concave. Scale small in 34 longitudinal
rows. A pair of very large anal plates. Tail rounded with a
row of enlarged plates below. The two central rows of ventrals
somewhat enlarged. Colour of back brownish dark green, with
reticulated black lines or seven interrupted longitudinal rows of
very small black spots, or in young specimen the back is spotted
pale with dark margins to the spots. Sides bluish green near
the rump. Belly brownish grey, or yellowish white. The scales
are dark edged as in Himalayana.

Inhabits the Spiti valley at 12,000—14,000 feet. Teste
Stoliczka.

M. Blythii, Stein. Reise der Novara. Rep., p. 46.

Scales in 30 longitudinal rows. Ear with several small rounded
scales in front. Upper labials 7 ; the fifth which enters the
orbit is four cornered, longer than high and nearly twice as long
as each of plates before it. Two large anals. Back brown with
three narrow blackish bands and numerous squarish bright spots,
each accompanied by a similar black one. A blackish broad
band margined above and below with white, on each side of the

( 60 )

rump and a black band again beneath, sometimes white spotted,
A black line with a white inferior border, below the eye.
Inliabita the Wangu valley, teste Stoliczka.

M. Kargilensis, Stein. Reise der Nov. Rep.

This species is very nearly related to M. StolitczJcce and
differs chiefly in this, that the fifth upper labial touches the
lower edge of the eye. In two small specimens there are
S2, in the two larger 34 longitudinal rows of scales. On
the front edge of the ear opening lie 1-3 prominent scales tuber-
cular in form, of which the topmost is by far the larger. A
black band at the side of the body ; several rows of bright blue
spots between two black rows on the back ; belly bright blue,
often with a dark enclosure of scales. Normally only 7 upper
labials. The prsefrontal plates separated from each other.

Inhabits Kargil, teste Stoliczka.

E. macrotis, Fitz. Reise der Novara. Rep., p. 48.

Ear-opening very wide, circular, without projecting scales ;
nasals extending over the top of the snout, separated from each
other; rostral strongly developed, prominently convex on the
hinder edge, prsefrontal concave in front convex behind and in
contact with the acute anterior angle of the vertical ; two prse-
occipitals: a tolerably large central occipital ; two large anal
shields; 31 scales round the body. Back brown, a deep black
longitudinal band on each side of the trunk; abdomen yellowish
white ; six longitudinal rows of shields on the back between the
black lateral lines.

Inhabits the Nikobar Islands.

Mabouya, Fitzinger.

Scales smooth. Lower eyelid with a transparent disk. Supra-
nasals two. Ears moderate, simple. Toes five on all feet, elongate.
Body fusiform.

M. Jerdoniana, Stol. J. A. S., 1870, p. 172.
Habit slender. Fore leg reaches a little beyond the eye. Hind
leg nearly reaches the fore. Posterior frontals form a very narrow

( Gl )

suture. One narrow elongated supranasal on each side. Two or
three loreals and four prceoculars. Seven superciliaries, prominent
and strongly arched, but the superciliary edge formed of ten
smaller scales. Nostril large rounded. Eight upper labials, the sixth
largest, below the eye. Eight lower labials, the shields adjoining
being enlarged. The first chin shield single and largest. Scales
round the body in 87 rows and in 60 transverse rows between the
fore and hind limbs. Subcaudals conspicuously enlarged. Under
a lens many of the scales of the back are seen slightly longitudi-
nally grooved.

Colour uniform iridescent brown above. Most of the scales pale
spotted. An indistinct pale band down each side of the back.
Below yellowish white, leaden grey on the tail.

Grows to 7-20 inches (tail 4-00).

Inhabits Pulo Tickos near Pinang.

I give a condensed description of this species, which is not
strictly Indian, in order to facilitate the recognition of any
other species of the genus which may hereafter occur within
our limits.

Blepharosteres, Stoliczka.

Scales smooth. Head shielded much as in Mocoa. Nostril in
a single shield. Eyelid none. Subcaudals entire.

B. Grayanus, Stol. Proc. As. Soc, B., 1872, p. 74.

External ear none.

Body slender. Snout obtuse. Two rows of small shields round
the anterior upper and posterior edge of the eye. Scales in 18 — 20
longitudinal rows and 36-88 transverse rows between fore and
hind legs. Seven upper labials, the fifth under the eye.

Colour above olive green, with a metallic lustre, darker on the
sides, where speckled with black, and passing on the belly to
greenish white. A silvery band black edged below, from the
superciliary edge to the tail which is paler, with a pink blush.
Limbs brown olive with rows of white spots.

Length 2-80 inches (tail 1-65).

Inhabits the Wagar district in North-Eastern Kach.

( 62 )

B., agilis Stol. Proc. A. Soc, B., 1872, p. 126.

External ear-opening distinct, a little above the level of the
angle of the mouth, with two small denticles on the front edffe
and separated from the last upper labial by two enlarged scales.

Body slender but less depressed than in Gixiyanus and with the
tail very much longer than the head and trunk. A nearly com-
plete ring of minute scales round the eye. Scales on 21 — 22
longitudinal rows and 45 — 50 transverse rows between the fore
and hind limbs.

Colour above greenish olive, with or without dark spots on
the back, but more distinct ones on the tail. Edffe of back
iridescent white. Scales pale greenish with a dark band from the
eye to the shoulder, thence narrowing behind. On the sides three
or four dusky longitudinal stripes broken up into spots on the
tail with white spots alternating. Below white. Limbs pale
yellowish brown striped above, uniform below.

Grows to 3*40 inches (tail 1'3).

Inhabits the country South-west of Kalabagh.

This species differ from Grayanus by its external ear and by
a larger number of transverse rows of scales.

Giinther considers Ahlepharus piLsillus. W. Bl. Ann. and Mag.,
N. H., December 1874, p. 461, as identical with this species and
refers both to Ahlepharus Brandti Strauck.

RiOPA, Gray.
Body long, limbs feeble.

Section A. Loiver eyelid scaly,

R. albopunctata Gray.

Tail large and cylindrical, which, with the feeble limbs, gives a
snake-like look to these small but active lizards. Scales in 26 — 28
longitudinal rows, and between 50 — 60 transverse. Colour uniform
brown above, or with the six median rows of scales, black-dotted,
forming fine lines down the back and tail. Margins of back
sometimes pale-coloured. Sides purplish black with conspi-

( 63 )

cuous white spots. Beneath whitish. Limbs black-spotted.
Body 2-50; tail 2-00 = 4-50 inches.

Inhabits Southern and Central India, Bengal, Assam, and
Birmah.

R. lineolata, Stoliczka. J. A. S., B., 1870, p. 175.
Closely allied to alhopimctata, but tail longer than body.
Superciliaries five, the last small and tumid, occipitals four, the
anterior pair being united ; the median one smaller, much smaller
than in anguina ; larger than in albopunctata ; six lower
labials elongate and narrow. Scales in 24, 25 longitudinal,
and 60 — 65 transverse rows Colour greenish iridescent brown
above, with an almost continuous series of small dark brown
dots on each side of the back from the nape, margined above
and below by a pale line. The centres of all the dorsal and
lateral scales are paler than their edges, giving rise to straight
longitudinal lines. Tail reddish.

Length, body 1'50 ; tail 200 = 3-50 inches.

Inhabits Martaban.

Section B. Lower eyelid with transparent dish.

R. Hardwickii Gray.

Very closely allied to alhopvbnctata, but the scales a trifle
larger. The hind limb is one-fourth the length of the body, in
the last a trifle less. Scales in from 24 — 26 longitudinal rows,
and between limbs in from 48 — 56. Colour variable. Back and
sides purplish black. The edges of the back from the nostril
white. Lower part of sides and belly white. Specimens from
Northern India have four rows of black spots, each spot on the
junction of two scales. Black dots along the lower part of sides,
and white spots along the whole side. Scales of tail black-
spotted. Tail in young specimens vermillion below.

Length, body 2-0 ; tail 2-5 = 4-50 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon (Blyth), South, Central, and Northern India,
and Bengal rarely.

( 64 )

Stoliczka says the transparent disk occurs in young specimens
only, becoming opaque with age. Specimens rarely exceed four
and a half inches, and Jerdon's remark that it grows to nine inches,
applies to a very unusual example, of the Karnatic race,

R. punctata L.
Closely allied to the last, but grows to a much greater size.
Scales in 24 longitudinal, and between limbs in from 78 — 84 trans-
verse rows. Colour brown on back and sides, below whitish.
All the scales black-dotted. Sides white-spotted.

Length, body 500; tail 7*0 = 12 inches.

Inhabits Southern India, Malabar, Koromandel, the Dekkan,
Madras, and Ceylon.

Stoliczka obtained near Mathuran (Bombay) a curious race in
which the characters of this species and Hardivichii were blend-
ed, and not improbably the same as the giant Hardiuicldi noted
by Jerdon from the Karnatic. The longest specimen of eight
measured body 3*25; tail 3'25 = 7*50 inches. Scales in 26
longitudinal rows as in Harchuickii, and in 74 — 80 transverse
rows, which nearly correspond with punctata. The colouration
was that of HardiuicJdi, and the conclusion that seems inevitable
is, that Hardwlcldi is the same as punctata, the former being
a smaller and widely-spread race, whilst the latter is a giant race
attaining its maximum development in the hill ranges of Western
India. The enormous difference in the ordinary size of
Euprepes carinatus in India, where it rarely exceeds 11 inches,
and the Andaman race of 20 inches is a parallel case of excessive
variation in the same family.

R. anguina, Theobald. Lin. Soc. Jour. x.
The anterior pair of occipitals equal to or but slightly larger
than the median occipital shield. Posterior occipitals elongate,
each being anteriorly in contact with the last superciliary and
the small shield following it. Scales in 22 longitudinal, and
between limbs in 65— 70 transverse rows. Limbs very short,
stoutish. The fore limb does not reach the ear. The hind limb
as long as from ear to snout. Colour uniform brown, above,

( 65 )

paler on sides, and white below. Base of tail yellowish. No
dark lateral stripe or dots. Length four inches, of which the
tail is one-half.

Inhabits Pegu.

R, cyanelia, Stoliczka,

Closely allied to anguina, but the median occipital conspicu-
ously smaller. Limbs longer and more slender. Fore limb
nearly or fully reaches the ear. The hind limb is less than
half from axil to loin. Colour olive brown, with an iridescent
blue tinge. Pale brownish olive on the side, a few white spots
on the side of the neck and about the shoulder. A narrow
white, slightly black margined band from behind the orbit to
about the middle of side where it fades, to re-appear on the hip.
Tail brown, speckled on the side. Limbs above lineated. Chin
and throat yellowish. Size and habitat the same as the last.

EuMECES, Weigmann.
Scales of back enlarged, lower eyelid scaly.

E. tceniolatus, Blyth.

Eurylepis tceniolatus, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1854, p. 739.
Plestiodon scutatus, Theobald. Cat. Rep. As. Soc. Mus.
Mahouia tceniolata, Bljth, And. P. As. Soc, B., Sept.
1871.

Supranasals form a suture behind the rostral. Nostril between
two shields. A large pentagonal prseocular, one postocular
between the last labials with a small one above it ; six or seven
superciliaries, the third being largest. A vertical oblong loreal,
followed by a smaller, and a hexagonal postnasal over the suture
of the first and second labials. A vertebral series of enlarged
scales, three times as broad as those on either side, and obscurely
marked by 10 or 11 fine grooves. Scales in 21 longitudinal
series, the two central rows on the belly appreciably enlarged.
Two large anals. Two rows of very small shields between the
upper labials and the scaly disk of the lower eyelid. Colour

I

( 66 )

pale olive gvey, witli three pale-spotted dark bands down the
back. Tail speckled with dusky. Below white.

Length, body 3-75 ; tail 5-25 = 9-00 inches.

Inhabits the outer hills between Jhilum and Kashmir.

E. Blythianus, Anderson.

Mahouia Blythiana, And. Proc. As, Soc, B., Sept. 1871.
Supranasals transversely oblong, forming a suture behind the
rostral. Nostril between a small anterior triancrular nasal and a
posterior sub-quadrangular one. A pentagonal loreal, with a
vertically elongated postnasal in front, and two quadrangular
shields behind it and under the eye. Eight upper labials, the
seventh and eighth largest, the anterior margin of the last on a
line, with the posterior angle of the eye. Scales on the body in
30 longitudinal rows, the vertebral pair consisting of enlarged,
transversely elongate hexagonal scales, between the nape and the
root of the tail. A single row of enlarged subcaudals. Colour
olive brown, with three dark brown longitudinal lines from the
nape to the base of the tail. A broader dark band from the
eye over the tympanum down the side, bordered beneath with a
pale yellowish band to the groin, with a dusky band below it.
Under parts yellowish.

Length, body 3*5; tail 600 = 9'5 inches.

Inhabits Amritsar, Panjab, according to the vendor of the type,
a Bokhara merchant.

Chiamela, Gray.

Body long and slender. Limbs feeble, with four toes only.

C. lineata. Gray.

Anterior frontal large single. Posterior frontals small, separat-
ed by the vertical. Anterior occipitals united into an obtusely
triangular shield. Nostrils lateral in a single elongated shield.
Two loreals. Lower eyelid transparent. Ear small, smooth.
Scales smooth in 22 longitudinal rows, and in 82 — 84 transverse
rows between axil and groin. Colour above, iridescent bright

( 67 )

golden brown; sides paler, with a greenish tinge. Below
whitish. Each scale with a median dark streak forming conti-
nuous Knes above, but slightly interrupted on the sides and belly,
and indistinct on the throat.

Length, body 2-00 ; tail 2-3 = 43 inches.
Inhabits the Dekkan (Punah).

Hagria, Oray.

Body long. Limbs feeble, with five toes before and four
behind.

H, Vosmacrii, Gray.

The single prsefrontal forms a suture with the vertical. Super-
ciliaries four. Scales in 22 longitudinal rows. Body and tail
with alternate brown and yellow lines corresponding to the rows
of scales.

Inhabits Bengal.

Little seems to be known of this species, which may not perhaps
really occur in Bengal.

Family Acontiad^.

Head covered with symmetrical shields. Tongue free exsertile,
nicked at the tip. Scales of the back, rounded, quincuncial,
imbricate ; on the belly similar to those on the back and sides.
No gular or lateral fold. No femoral or inguinal pores. Tail
long rounded fragile. Nostrils in the enlarged rostral plate.

Limbs rudimentary or absent.

AcoNTiAS, Cuvier.
Legs entirely absent.

A. Layardi Kelaart. Pro. Faun Zey., p. 12.
Colour light olive marked longitudinally with brown spots.
Inhabits Kolombo.

Nessia, Gray.

Four rudimentary legs.

( 68 )
N. Burtonii, Gray.

Body and tail elongate, anguine. Tail shorter than body (from
breakage and reproduction). Rostral shield large, protruding,
depressed, pierced laterally by the nostrils, behind which is a
longitudinal groove. Frontals confluent into one large shield ;
vertical large ; concave at side to receive the superciliaries. Super-
ciliaries four. Occipitals three. The central one largest triangular.
A very long loreal shield below which is the first labial which is
similar in form and length to the loreal. Scales in 25 longitudi-
nal and 84 transverse rows, equal smooth. Eye small. Ear opening
not visible. Feet very short and feeble, each ending in three minute
toes with short claws.

Length 5 inches, of which body is three inches.
Inhabits Ceylon (Kaduganava, AUagalla, and Ambegammoa)
Kelaart.

N. monodactyla. Grey Ann. and Mag., N. H.
Evesia monodactyla Gray.
E. Bella D. et B.

Tetrapedos Smithli Jan. in Wieg. Arch., 1860, p. 69.
Closely allied to Bwrtonii, Scales in 22 — 25 longitudinal and
105 transverse rows. Opening of ear minute but distinct.
Feet very short and feeble. The hind feet half as long as the
snout, and without toes.

Inhabits Ceylon.

N. Thwaitesii Gthr. An. and Mag., N. H., 1872, Vol.
IX, p. 86.
Toes four on all feet. Nostril close to the posterior margin
of the plate, with no slit behind. Two loreals one behind the
other. Body with 26 longitudinal and 72 transverse rows of
scales. Limbs more developed than in N. Bitrtonii. Toes dis-
tinct and clawed. Ear minute, hidden. Colour brown, paler
below.

Body 2-70 ; tail 1-30 = 4-00, inches.
Inhabits Ceylon.

( 69 )

DiBAMUS, Dameril et Bibron.
Limbs in male 2 posterior, lodged iu an oblique cavity.
Females limbless.

D. Nikobaricus, Fitz. Novara. Rept., p. 52.
Rhinophidion Nicobavicibm, Fitz.
Typliloscincus Nicoharicus, Stein 1. c, p. 94.
" The male is six inches, of which the tail is 0-9 inches. There
are 24 longitudinal rows of scales round the body and 48 trans-
verse rows along the tail. The two extremities are on either side
somewhat in front of the anus, towards which they converge ;
they are depressed, each lying in an oblique cavity, the interme-
diate space of the sacral region being flat, triangular and pointed
above the anus. Each extremity is fully as long as the whole
head ; it Is covered on the upper side by three longitudinal rows
of scales narrowing towards the end which is occupied by a large
flat nail like scale. The body of the female is somewhat stouter ;
it measures 5'5 inches, of which the tail is only 0-5 inches. The
body is again surrounded by 24 longitudinal and the tail by 34
transverse rows of scales. On each side, iu front of the anus is an
enlarged scale, separated by three small scales from the anal edge
and just in the place where the extremity in the male originates,
this large scale covers a small opening in which internally a
rather strong muscle terminates. The muscle is most probable
emissible and retractile at the will of the animal. All other
characters are common to both sexes. The upper labial is separa-
ted from the rostral by a distinct groove. The shields are dark
brown almost blackish with j)aler edges. Paler below. The
shields of the head are yellowish and there are occasionally yellow-
ish spots on the chin and throat or on the lower side of the tail."
Stoliczka J. A. S., B., 1873, Part II, p. 169. Commenting on the
close similarity of this species and Typliloscincus Martensii
Stoliczka remarks " Still if it were not Peter's distinct state-
ment that out of these specimens of T. Martensii, two are males
and one a female, both without any trace of extremities, I should
have considered the specific distinction of D. Nikoharius from T.
Martensii somewhat doubtful." 1. c.

( 70 )

Family SEPSiDiE,

This family differs from the Scincid^e and AcONTlADJ: by the
nostrils being in the front edge of a small shield in a notch at
the hinder side of the rostral.

Sphenocephalus, Blyth.

Limbs rudimentary. Ears hidden. Eyes minute with a semi-
transparent lower lid. Anterior limbs fitting into a groove,

S. tridactylus, Blyth.

Body cylindrical elongate, flat beneath and angled at the abdo-
minal edge. Three toes on all feet. Scales smooth and lustrous
with an enlarged row under the tail. A large subquadrilateral
plate under the eye, and three small plates between it and the
nasal. A large lozenge-shaped plate in centre of chin, emargi-
nated, anteriorly to admit a small roundish nuchal plate. Tail
shorter than body. Colour very pale brown, deeper on the back.

Length, body 4-00; tail 2-00 = 6-00 inches.

Inhabits the sandy tracts in Synd and the Southern and
Western Punjab where it is called Rig Mahi 'sand fish.'

S. pentadactylus, Bed. Mad., Mont. J. Med. Sc, 1870, No. 7,
p. 30.

Fore legs minute and fitting into a groove. Hind legs well
formed. Toes five, on all feet. Nostril in a small shield, let in
to the hinder part of the rostral. A small post nasal followed
by tiuo (?) loreals (though the drawing shows three). The second
and third being both in contact with the first. Eye surrounded
by small scales. A single narrow prtefrontal. Postfrontal
hexagonal. Occipitals rounded behind, separated by a minute
shield which is let into the base of the vertical. Upper labials
8-9, the fourth and fifth under the eye. Colour uniform dark
brown.

Inhabits the sandy banks of the Kuddle Pondy, a tidal stream
in Beypur,

Type unique, in the Madras Museum. The head being injured,
the character of the lower eyelid could not be determined.

( 71 )
Family Geckotid.^,

Head broad triangular depressed. Back and sides generally
covered by granular or tubercular scales. Belly covered with
rhombic imbricate scales. Tongue thick and short, its base
attached to the gullet. Eyelids generally rudimentary not
connivent. Pupil generally erect. Toes generally adapted for
pneumatic adhesion. Femoral or prseanal pores, in the males
only, rarely absent. Eggs globular, calcareous.

Section A. Adhesile plcdes of feet undivided.
Gecko, Gray.

Fingers and toes dilated in their whole length with a series of
undivided pneumatically adhesile plates below. Four claws on
each foot. Back granular with or without larger tubercles inters-
persed.

G. guttatus, Daud.

Back covered with small flat granular scales with twelve longi-
tudinal rows of large tubercles. Tail without any enlarged
subcaudal shields. Preeanal pores from 12 to 32 in a slightly
angular series. Colour pale olive gray, slaty over the head, with
four or five transverse white bands across the body. Body and
limbs red spotted; belly white, red spotted. Longitudinal
tubercles of back red, or, when standing on a white band, white.

Grows to about a foot.

Inhabits Eastern Bengal, about Dacca. Calcutta (where
probably introduced), Khasi Hills, Arakan, Birmah, and Malayan
Peninsula, The Andamans, &c., but not peninsular India, or
Hindustan Proper, or Ceylon.

It lays six or eight (or more) very hard shelled white eggs of
a globular form and the size of a musket ball, affixing then to
trees, rocks, or secluded portions of buildings. When first ex-
truded, they are soft, as they are seen to be indented from
mutual pressure being closely agglutinated together. Their
voice is very loud. A ' touk-tay ' several times repeated, and
ending in a drawn out guttural rumble. Their voice is very

( 72 )

ioud and exerted both by day and night, and though very
startUng when first heard, should be welcome, as these animals are
great destroyers of insects and will devour young rats ; and
even capture bats.

G. Stentor, Cantor.

G. Verreauxii, Tytler, J. A. S., B., 1864, p. 546.

Back covered with small flat granular scales, with ten longi-
tudinal rows of large tubercles. Tail with a double row of
enlarged subcaudals. PrsBanal pores 13 in a slightly angular
series. Colour above pale brown or ashy, with some darker
markings. Tail dark and white-banded. Below whitish.
Grows to 14 inches.

Inhabits Chittagong, Akyab, Birmah, The Andaman islands.
The Malayan Peninsula, Pinang, &c.

This species is readily distinguished from guttatus by its
enlarged subcaudal shields. Its voice is a ' tuk-tuk-tuk' sevei'al
times repeated. The bite of both species is dreaded as poisonous
by the natives and ignorant Europeans, though of course only
to be avoided from the severe nip which these animals can
inflict.

G. monarchus, D. et B.

Back covered with small flat granular scales, with numerous
small conicle tubercles arranged in irregular longitudinal series.
Tail with band like narrow, irregular subcaudals, Prseanal and
femoral pores, 32 disposed in a continuous curved series. Colour
above bufl* or reddish brown, with from 8 to 12 pairs of regu-
larly rounded distant dark brown spots along the spine. Head,
sides, and limbs, dark-spotted. Beneath yellowish white. Length
7 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon, also the Malayan Peninsula, the Philippine
islands, Araboyna, and Borneo.

The voice of this species is a ' tok ' repeated six or eight times
with increasing celerity.

( 73 )

Ptychozoon, Kuhl.

Fino-ers and toes dilated in their whole leno;th, with a series of
undivided pneumatically adhesile plates below. Four claws to
each foot. Back granular, with larger tubercles interspersed.
Skin of side expanded into a flap or curtain.

P. homalocephalum, Creveldt.

Back with four or six rows of small tubercles longitudinally
traversinof the more numerous smaller scales. Tail without
enlarged sub-caudals. PrtTeanal pores 23 in a slightly angular
series. Colour, head yellowish green olive, a transverse band in
whitish outline before the eyes united by a narrow stem to an
anterior arrow-head mark. On the vertex a fonr-rayed rectangu-
lar star, with pale outline. A dark band from behind the eye
to the shoulder margined above with white. Lips white. The
membranes of the cheeks pale flesh colour, with dark blue spots,
and the interstitial skin pale lilac. Back same colour as head,
but passing on the sides into dark reddish brown, with 4 or 6
transverse M-shaped dotted lines. Tail and limbs with broad,
distant indistinct pale transverse bands. On each elbow a
whitish ring:. Beneath whitish, throat and inside limbs brown-
spotted. A Kamorta specimen described by Stoliczka was pale
purplish brown, marbled with darker and with indistinct cross
bands. Flaps purplish fleshy, with fine bluish marblings. One
flap runs from the gape below the tympanum to the neck. A
larger one runs the whole length of the body and nearly equals
it in breadth. The tail is fringed on either side by a scalloped
cnrtain with 15 to 20 rounded lobes. Grows to 7 inches, of
which the tail is nearly half.

Inhabits Arrakan, Ramri, Pegu, Tenasserim, the Nikobar and
Andaman islands, the Malayan archipelego, &c.

Cantor says the membranes act as a parachute when the
animal leaps, an observation probably suggested by a simulative
analogy with Draco, but strong confirmation is needed that the
animal ever so uses its flaps. Cantor made the same remark
with respect to the loose skin along the sides of Leiolepis, which
indubitably never attempts serial flights.

( 74 )

Phelsuma, Gray.

Fingers and toes dilated towards their tips, with a series of
undivided pneumatically adhesile plates below. Claws none.
Pupil round. Diurnal.

P. Andamanense, Blyth.

Gecko chamceleon, Tytler. J. A. S, B., 1864, p. 548.
Back finely granular. Sub-caudals enlarged. Femoral pores 28
to 32 in a slightly angular line. Colour rich emerald green,
above, below, bright yellow. Red marks on head and back.
Grows to six inches, of which the tail is half.
Inhabits the Andaman Islands.

This is a remarkable geckoid form, of diurnal and arboreal
habits, and distinguished during life by its brilliant colours.
According to Tytler it is very changeable, becoming almost black
in dark spots, the full sunlight being required to bring out its
richest colors.

Section B, Adhesile plates of feet divided.

Calodactylus, Beddome.

" Finofers and toes 5"5, dilated in their whole lensrth with two
series of small transverse plates beneath the thumbs, and the
first toes ending in a single pair of flat plates, with the claws
between them; the other four fingers and toes provided with
two pairs of similar plates, one pair terminal and the other pair
one-third down the finger or toe, and separated from the termi-
nal pair by several rows of the smaller scales. No cutaneous
appendage." Mad. Monthly J. Med. Science, 1870, p. 30.

C. aureus Bed. L. C, p. 31, pi. ii.
" Head and back uniformly granular with very small scales,
some few of which are very slightly enlarged : scales of the
belly small, nearly square, in about 30 transverse series. Eye
large, without eyelid. Pupil elliptic erect, nostrils behind each
angle of the rostral with two plates between them : fourteen
upper labials, last two very small ; thirteen lower ones. Opening
of the ear about quarter the size of the eye, not denticulate.

( 75 )

No femoral or prseanal pores. No plates on the chin beneath,
except the lower labials. Length 6^ to 7 inches, of which the
tail is 3^ to 3^ ; length of fore-limb 1^ inch, hind-limbs 1| inch.
Of a brilliant golden colour, freckled with brown over the whole
of the upper surface (the yellow colour turns nearly white in
spirits). Amongst rocks in dark shady ravines on the Tripathy
hills in North Arcot."

It seems improbable (in the absence of any direct statement as
to the sex of Beddome's specimen), that the males should possess
no femoral pores.

Hemidactylus, Cuvier.

Fingers and toes dilated, ovate, with a double row of trans-
verse penumatically adhesile plates below. Toes and claws live
on each foot.

a. Back granular, with trihedral tubercles, more or less numer-
ously interspersed.

H. triedrus, Daud.

Back with numerous trihedral tubercles, some of which are
as large as the opening of the ear. Back of the tail with cross
rows of similar tubercles. Colour brownish olive ; some of the
tubercles white, surrounded by a brown ring ; these rings are
sometimes confluent into cross bands. A brown white-edged
streak behind the eye. Femoral pores 7 or 8 in each thigh.
Length 7 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon, Southern and Central India.

H. sub-triedrus, Jerdon. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 467.
This form is probably only a local race of the last from which
it differs in its rather shorter head, smaller scales on the muzzle
and throat, and smaller tubercles on the back. It is the Sookha
buUee of the " Yanadees" who distinguished it from triedrus,
which they term Deowur bullee. Length 7 inches.

H. maculatus, D. et B.
Back with numerous trihedral tubercles of moderate size, all
considerably smaller than the opening of the ear. Tail depressed

( 76 )

with numerous small spines along its lower edge, and cross rows
of spinous tubercles larger than those on the back. Colour
brownish olive, or dark brown above, with darker spots, bands,
or streaks. A pale margined dark eye streak from the eye over
the ear. Femoral pores 20 to 28 in an interrupted line. Length
5 5 inches, usually somewhat less.

Inhabits Central, Southern, and Northern India, Bengal
Birmah, the Andamans, and Ceylon.

A Birmese specimen obtained by myself had 32 femoral pores,
and was 5 "5 inches long, but it may have belonged to the
following species or race.

H. Pieresi, Kelaart.

H. Sykesii, Giinther.

H. macula tus, D. et B., Theobald. Cat. Rep., A. S.,Mus.

Closely allied to maculatus in every respect, but grows to a
larger size, and to this race must probably be referred the
specimen of maculatus mentioned by Dum. et Bib. as measuring
9'5 inches. Femoral pores 32 to 36 in a nearly continuous line'
the 12 central ones being better marked than the rest.

Inhabits Ceylon.

H. gracilis, Blanford.

Back granular, with rows of sub-trihedral elongate tubercles,
of equal size and smaller than the ear. Tail depressed at base, and
without any enlarged or spinose tubercles. Colour, above grey,
whitish beneath ; head and back ornamented with black sub-
quadrangular spots which form bands above the back. A pale
line from either nostril to the tail, and below it, the sides are
marked with longitudinal dark lines. Femoral pores none, but 6
prseanal pores in a curved line, with the convexity directed
forward.

Inhabits South-East Berar.

( 77 )

h. Back granular; with or without larger conical scattered

tubercles.

H. Cocteaui, D. et B.*
H. Coctcei auctorum.
H. Bengaliensis, Anderson. J. A. S., B., 1871, p. 14.

Back uniformly granular. A few small tubercles on each side
of the sacral region. Tail slightly depressed at the base, verti-
cillate, finely granular above, with an enlarged tubercle on each
side of each segment. Thumb well developed, but claw on it
very 'small. Colour greenish grey, with five transverse dark
bands, posteriorly edged with white, from neck to loins. Tail
similarly banded above. A pale band, dark margined above,
through the eye. Femoral pores 6 to 8 on each thigh, widely
separated in the pubic region. In old females the tail is often
bulged at the base. Length up to 9 inches, but 6 or 7 in the
more common size.

Inhabits Orissa, Bengal, North- Western Provinces, The
Panjab, Sikkim, Khasi hill, Kachar, Birmah, Bombay (Dum. et
Bib), Pinang (Cantor), but not hitherto recorded from Southern
India or Ceylon.

H, Leschenaultii, D. et B.

H. Coctcei, D. et B., apud Kelaart. Prod, Fam., Cey.
H. Kelaartii, Theobald. Cat. Rep., As. Soc, Mus.
H. Tnarmoratus, Blanford. J. A. S., B,, 1870, p. 363.
Back uniformly granular, with numerous flat scattered tubercles.
Thumb well developed. Colour silvery grey, with usually some
transverse zig-zag dark marblings. A dark band through the eye.
Femoral pores 10 to 16 on each thigh widely separated in the
pubic region. Upper labials 10*13. Lower 7'10. Size 5*5 inches.
Inhabits Ceylon, Southern and Central India, Western Bengal,
and the North-Western Provinces.

This species can be at once discriminated from froenatus by its
larger thumb, and from Coctcei by its more numerous femoral
pores ; and from giganteus by its lesser number of labials.
* (Doubtless Cocteaui not Coctsei as suggested by Stoliczka.)

( 78 )

H. giganteus, Stoliczka.

General aspect much that of Coctsei. Upper labials 14 to 17^
lower labials 11 to 13. First upper labial excluded from the-
nostril by a semi-circular shield in contact with the rostral-
Colour olive grey, the back barred with 4 or 5 transverse undulat-
ing bands. Femoral pores 18 to 20 on either thigh, separated in the
pubic region by an interspace of 7 scales. Length nearly 12 inches.

Inhabits the Godavery valley near Badrachalam.

H. frsenatus, Schl.

H. suhkevis, Gray, apud Theob. Cat. Rep., As. Soc, Mus.
H. punctatus, Jerdon ? juv ? J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 467.

Back uniformly granular, with some scattered tubercles ;
usually ranged in ten lines down the back in Bengal specimens.
Tail spiny. Colour variable grey, marbled with darker, or grey
with irregular stripes and dark marblings, or dark brown with
blackish stripes. A pale, dark margined band through the eye
to the loins. Thumb very small. Femoral pores 27 to 35 in an
iminterrupted line. The median scale sometimes has no pore.
Length 5*5 inches.

Inhabits Northern, Central, and Southern India, The Panjab,

Ceylon, Bengal, Birmah, the Andaman and Nikobar islands, and
the Malayan Peninsula and islands.

This species is easily recognised by its small thumb.

Stoliczka suggests H. pundatus, Jerdon, may be a young
female of this species. It was captured at Tellicherry, whence
fresh specimens can only decide what punctatus reaUy is.

H. Mortoni, Theobald. Lin. Soc. Jour., Vol. X.
Back covered with granular scales, with a scattered tubercle
here and there, just perceptibly larger than the rest. Thumb
well developed. Colour dark brown, mottled pepper and salt>
with black spots and small white rosettes of 6 white scales each.
Tail barred with black above. Length 350 inches.

Inhabits Pegu, north of Rangoon.
One immature male taken under a log.

( 79 )

Nycteridium, Gilnther.
Finders and toes dialated, ovate, with a double row of trans-
verse pneumatically adhesile plates below. Toes and claws five.
Sides of the trunk with a cutaneous expansion. Tail flattened,
serrated on the sides.

N. platyurus, Schneid.

Platyuriis Schneiderianus, Gray.

N. Himalayanum, Anderson. J. A. S., B. 1871., p. 15.
Back uniformly granular without tubercles. Tail strongly
depressed with finely serrated edges, granular above, scaly
beneath, and a central series of enlarged sub-caudals. Colour olive
above, marked with darker. A pale lateral band, dark margined
beneath through the eye. A few white spots on the body and
irregular dark brown, and white alternate spots on the tail.
The hind limb with a broad cutaneous fringe or expansion
behind. Femoral pores 16 to 20 on either thigh, slightly
interrupted in the pubic region. Length 4-50 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon, Bengal, Dorjiling, Assam, the Khasi hills. The
Malayan Archipelago, Siam, Pinang, and Java. It no doubt
occurs in Birmah, though not hitherto recorded from there.

Peripia, Gray.

Fingers and toes dilated ovate, with a double row of transverse
pneumatically adhesile plates below. Toes five on all feet.
Claws four in front, five behind. Thumb rudimentary clawless_
Inner hind toes with a very minute setiform claw.

P. Peronii, D. et B.
Back uniformly granular. Tail depressed lanceolate, bulged
at the base with a minutely serrated edge, and a row of enlarged
sub-caudals. Three pairs of elongate chin shields. A cutaneous
fold to the ham. Colour greenish ashy, sometimes with a rosy blush,
during life, or pale brown speckled with darker, and numerous
white spots. Below white, pinkish towards the sides. Femoral
pores 37 to 42 in an angular continuous series. Birmese speci-
mens pale grey rather translucent and with pale whitish freckles
scattered over the back. Length 6 inches.

( 80 )

Inhabits Ceylon (Kadugunava, Kelaarfc,) Burmah, the Anda-
man Islands, Pinang, &c.

P. Cantoris, Gunther.

Very similar in general appearance to Peronii, but no chin
shields. Chin covered with scales a little larger than the very
minute ones on the throat. No enlarged sub-caudal plates.
Cutaneous fold of the ham rudimentary. Colour olive brown
with some scattered velvet black spots. Beneath white, minutely
brown dotted.

Inhabits Pinang, Birmah, and the Andaman and Nikobar
Islands.

In some specimens of Peripia the pneumatic lamellge are only
angularly bent and not divided, indicating the close relation of
this genus to Gecko.

Gymnodactylus.

Fingers and toes with transverse pneumatic plates below on
their basal joints only, less disciform than in Hemldactylus. The
two terminal joints of each foot free; claws 5 on all feet.

Section A, tail generally de-presssd. House geckoids. Pupils

elliptical.

G. frsenatus, Giinther.

Back granular, with six or eight series of very small tubercles.
Tail uniformly granular with enlarged sub-caudals. Colour light
brown, with darker markings. A broad band from behind the
eye to the side of the neck where it joins two irregular broad
cross bars, one behind the occiput, the other between the
shoulders. Two or three similar bars across the back, and broad
brown rings round the tail. In adults only the dark margins of
these bands remain.

Pupil denticulated. Prseanal pores two on each side. Length
7 inches. .,

Inhabits Ceylon.

Young ones coloured or Eithlepharis Hardwichii, fide Giinther,
Auuals and Mag., N. H., 1872, Vol. ix, p. 8G.

( 81 )

G. Dekkanensis, Gunther.

Head finely granular. Body covered with flat sub-equal tuber-
cles, disposed in transverse series. Tail covered with rings of
square sub-equal scales. Colour reddish]olive with narrow white,
black-edged cross bands, the first forming a horse-shoe across the
nape from eye to eye, three bands on trunk and five on the tail.
Pupil elliptical.

Length of type 4*50 inches.

Inhabits the Dekkan.

G. Lawderanus, Stoliczka. J. A. S., B., 1872, p. 105.

Head granular. Body covered with granular scales, with larger
ones intermixed of about twice the size of the others. Claws
well developed lying between enlarged scales but not retractile.
Colour greenish brown, densely marbled and spotted with dark
brown, with some indistinct whitish, anteriorly dark margined
cross bands. An indistinct dark band from the eye to the ear.
Front and hind edges of the eye white. Labials spotted with
brown. Length about 4 inches.

Inhabits Almorah.

G. Oldhami, Theob.

G. fasciolatus, mss label, by Stoliczka.
Crown of head behind the eyes finely granular, the scales in
front being larger. Back granular with about 30 longitudinal
rows of tubercles contained between an area bounded by faint
keels margining the belly. These keels are distinctly defined
by some small regular somewhat distant opaque white spots.
Pupil vertical. Rostral large grooved behind, followed by two
small supranasals which are not in contact. Nostrils below the
supranasals margined behind by small scales. Mental moderate.
Three pairs of chin shields. Eleven upper and ten lower labials
regularly decreasing from the front, with 3 rows of enlarged scales
beneath the lower labials. Scales of throat minutely granular.
A rhomboidal prseanal patch of 19 enlarged scales, margined in
front by a continuous line of 40 enlarged femoral scales ; barely
enlarged in the middle and smaller than the scales of the

L

( 82 )

prteanal patch, but fully enlarged at the extremities. These
scales are not pierced (probably owing to the sex of the speci-
men). No enlarged sub-caudals. Tail covered below with
small inbricate scales, and with a line of 3 erect white scales on
either side of vent. Colour above vinous brown (probably ruddy
during life) : a white semicircular line joins the superciliary ridges,
a second horse-shoe-shaped white line runs from the gape below
the ear to the opposite side, enclosing a nuchal collar. Behind
the collar two closely approximated white lines run along the
spine becoming soon broken up into spots merely. On the sides
are more white spots, tending to form three distinct lines, the
lowest of which coincides with the ventral keel. Belly whitish.
Limbs white spotted above.

Inhabits South Kanara. (fide Beddome).

The tail has been reproduced, but sufficient remains to show that
it originally had no enlarged sub-caudals, which fasciolatus has.

G. Kachensis, Stol. Proc. As. Soc, B., 1872, p. 79.
Rostral longer than hio-h, orrooved above. Nostrils lateral
directed upwards, immediately behind the rostral and followed by
three small shields. Snout above covered with largish sub-
carinate shields : top and sides of head with granular scales, with
some larger intermixed. Back covered with 12-14 lono-ltudinal
rows of enlarged trihedral sharply keeled tubercles, each smaller
than the ear, and separated by two or three rows of granular
scales. Tail depressed, verticillate, with three rows of large
sharply keeled tubercles down each side. 11-12 upper labials, the
last 2 or 3 very small. 8-9 lower labials. Mental large, posteriorly
pointed. Two pairs of enlarged chin shields followed by a row
of enlarged shields along the labials. Scales on the belly in 28-30
longitudinal rows, and separated from the back by six rows of
smaller shields. Femoral pores none. Praeanal pores 48 in a
curved continuous series in the male. Sub-caudals bifid enlaro^ed,
irregularly alternating. Toes slender. Two last joints separated
from the preceding by a marked enlargement provided with
two thickened transverse lamellie below. Pupil vertical.

( 83 )

Colour ashy gray, dark marked on the head : 8-10 transverse
bands on the body, the first springing in a curve from a dark
stripe from the eye. Bands sometimes ill-defined or absent. Lips
spotted. Below white, tinged yellow posteriorly.

Grows to 4-00 inches (tail 2-30).

Inhabits rocks (rarely houses) in Kach.
Nearly allied to the Cingalese G. triedrus.

G. speciosus, Bed. Mad. Monthly Jour., Med. Scien., 1870.
" Of stout form, body finely granular, all the scales being of the
same size ; scales of the tail larger ; of a reddish brown colour,
with three broad white transverse bauds, one across the neck, one
across the middle of the back, and one just in front of the hind
legs, each being a quarter of an inch broad, or half the width of
the interspaces of ground colour, and edged with black. Crowu
of the head white, with six reddish brown blotches, three across
the occipital region, the centre one of which is elongated, two
across the vertical region, and one on the frontal region. Belly
uniform whitish, chin beneath blotched or maculated. Tail with
four transverse white, black-edged bauds as on the body. Femoral
or prseanal pores none. Sub-caudals not enlarged. Rostral large,
grooved behind, with two small plates behind it. Pupil erect
J shaped. Upper labials eight, two last very small. Lower
labials seven, medial lower labial large, pointed behind. First
pair of chin shields rather large, forming a suture behind the
medial lower labial, second pair about half the size. Total
length 3 J inches.

In a tope near Erode ; very rare."

G. Kollegalensis, Bed. 1. c. s.
" In every respect as in Gymnodactijlus speciosus, but with a
very different colouration. Ground colour pale greyish, with four
dark brown, 8-shaped marks edged with white, across the body,
and a transverse band of large spots between each marking.^
Head with eight irregular dark brown blotches on a light ground.
Tail with about six 8-shaped transverse blotches becoming indis-

( 84 )

tinct towards the tip. Under stones on the lower slopes of the
Balarangams, in dry forests near Yellundur."

Neither the measurement or shape of the pupil of this species
is given, but Beddome remarks on the precise similarity of the
two last species in all save colour, and that but one of each was
taken. Can the last be a young male of the first ?

G. Khasiensis, Jerdon. Proc. As. Soc, B., 1871, p. 162.
Gymnodactylus, Khasiensis, Anderson. P. Z. S., Feb-
ruary 1871, p. 162.

Head granular. Body finely granular, thickly covered with

small trihedral tubercles. Tubercles present on base of tail and

hind limbs, but none on fore. Tail cylindrical, longer than body,

covered with round, flat, equal tubercles arranged verticillately.

No enlaro-ed sub-caudals. The nostril is situated between the

rostral, first labial, two supranasals, with a few small scales

behind. Colour brown with a series of brown arrow head spots,

with the points directed backwards, along either side of the

spine, with another obscurer line of spots beneath them. The

vertebral spots are confluent on the tail forming eleven brown

rings, with yellowish brown interspaces, tip black. The nape

and occiput reticulated with brown. Under parts dirty yellow.

Prseanal pores 13 in an angular continuous series.

Inhabits the Khasi hills.

G. nebulosus. Bed, 1. c. s.
" A very small species of rather stout form ; muzzle short
rounded ; body and tail finely granular, many of the scales on
the former being enlarged. Scales on the latter uniform. Sub-
caudals not enlarged. No spines. No femoral or prseanal pores.
Of a dull brown colour beautifully clouded with irregular dark
blotches, which are edged with white. In some specimens, the
markings are almost obsolete, and in others they form transverse
bands. Kostral large grooved behind, followed by two small
shields. Upper labials 89, last 2*3 very small. Medial lower

( 85 )

labial not very large, pointed behind. First pair of chin shields
larsfe and forminoj a suture behind it.

Pupil erect J shaped. Total length 2| inches.

Golcondah hills near Vizagapatam, under stones at 2,000,
S,500 feet elevation, rare."

G. triedrus, Giinther.

Back granular studded all over with small trihedral tubercles.
Colour uniform brown. Tail with four indistinct rings of whitish
spots. Length of type specimen 4 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

H. subtricdrus, Jerdon. J A. S., 1853, p. 467.
Rostral large, grooved above, followed by two minute supra-
nasals, separated by a minute shield or by granular scales.
7 upper labials reaching to below the eye followed by one
or two small scales. Mental very large followed by two pairs
of chin shields and a small scale on each side. Back covered by
18-20 rows of triangular tubercles, the interspaces being minutely
granular. The tubercles as large as the sixth upper labial.
Head srranular with larger tubercles scattered about. A line of
white spots from the gape, meets a second from the eye, behind
the tympanum. Colour darkish grey, with some 5-6 dark bands
across the back, spotted with opaque white tubercles. 8 femoral
pores in each thigh separated by 1 to 3 scales in the pubic
region.

Grows to 6*50 inches.
Inhabits Southern India.

This species is probably distinct though closely allied to H.
triedrus. In a specimen before me the femoral pores are
separated by only one scale, so as to be nearly continuous.

* *

Pupils circular.

G. Indicus, Gray.
Head and body coarsely granular without tubercles. Tail
without enlarged sub-caudals. Colour brownish or greenish
mottled ; a row of orange dark edged spots during life along the

.( 8G )

back and a second similar row on the sides. Lips and base of
tail yellowish orange. Pores none.

Lensfth 2-40, of which tail is one-half.

Inhabits the summits of the Nilghiri hills and Kurg.
Dr. Glinther atfects surprise that Dr. Jerdon should describe a
diurnal species, as sheltering under stones during the day, but
Dr. Glinther might have reflected, that this is a common defen-
sive habit of many lizards, and does not imply that the animals
never quit their shelter.

' G. Kandianus, Kelaart.

Body finely granular, with a few scattered acute conical tuber-
cles along the side, and in rings across the tail ; occasionally
smooth. Tail with enlarged sub-caudals. Colour brownish grey
marked with brown.

Toes annulated with brown. Pores none. Length 3 inches.

Inhabits Kandy and Kaduganava, Ceylon ; where abundant.

G. Sisparensis, Theob.

G. maculatus, Bed. Mad. Monthly Jour., Med. Scien., 1870,
(prreoccupied by Steindachner, Novara. Rep., p. 16, 18G7).

" Of stout form, body and tail rather finely granular, some of
the scales of the body being rather enlarged, but those of the tail
all uniform ; no spines ; sub-caudals enlarged ; of a brown colour
with regular transverse bands of oblong dark coloured spots, across
the body, and bands across the tail. Rostral large, grooved
behind, with two small plates behind it ; seven upper labials, the
seventh very minute ; nine lower labials, the last .3-4 very
minute ; lower medial labial large triangularly pointed behind.
Chin shields 2-3 small pairs not forming sutures. Pupil round.
Femoral pores eight on each thigh, in two continuous lines ; no
pores or enlarged scales on the prfcanal region ; toes very long,
slender and laterally compressed, total length four inches, of which
the tail is 2|.

At Sholakal; the foot of the Sispara Ghat under logs and
stones."

( 87 )

G. planipes, Bed. Mad. Monthly Jour. Med. Scien., 1870.

" Of slender form, snout elongate, body and tail uniformly
granular without tubercles. Pupil round. Sub-caudals enlarged.
8 upper labials, the two last being very minute ; 6 lower labials,
median shield very large, angular behird and separating the
chin shields, of which there are 2 small scale like pairs. Femoral
pores 16 17 on each thigh, none on the prgeanal region. The
plates on the lower portion of the fingers and toes large and
flat, the terminal one much dilated and three times as large as the
others. Maximum length 2f inches, of a greyish colour with a
prominent black blotch on the nape of the neck and generally a
row of white black-edged spots down the back.

I have only met with this curious little species in the dry
Teak forests near Nellicootah, below the Nilghiris (on the western
side) where it is found on trees in the day time. Its peculiar
feet almost inclined me to constitute a new genus for it."

G. gracilis. Bed. Mad. Monthly Jour. Med. Scien., 1870, p. 32.
" Of slender form, with rather elongated head, grey coloured,
tail banded with black, body with a row of white blotches along
the centre of the back, and sometimes with irregular cross bands
of black markings, belly pearl coloured, with very minute black
dots on the scales. Limbs and toes banded with black markinors.
Body coarsely granular, with some of the scales considerably
enlarged, but scarcely spinous. Regular rows of spines on the
thick part of the tail. Sub-caudals enlarged, femoral or prseanal
pores none. 6-7 upper labials. Six lower ones. Median lower
labial large, angled behind ; rostral moderate; pupil round. Total
length up to 2| inches. Under stones in the Palghat hills."

G. Wynaadensis, Bed. 1. c. s.
" Head and body finely granular, many of the scales on the
latter being enlarged but not spinous. Tail without any spines,
rounded, tapering ; sub-caudals large, ventral scales small, nearly
round, pr?eanal scales very small. Femoral pores five, rarely only
four on each thigh. Upper labials 5-6, the first very large,
others gradually smaller, last two minute ; lower labials G-8.

( 88 )

Rostral lai'ge, grooved behind, with several small scales behind it.
Pupil round ; length 3-3| inches. Colour blackish, with brown
mottlings. Sometimes a white line from the back of each eye to
shoulder; grey beneath.

In the moist forest of Wynaad, found under stones in the day
time."

G. ornatus. Bed. 1. c. s.
" Head and body covered with fine granular scales, some of
those on the latter being enlarged about four times, but not
spinous. Tail without any enlarged scales or spines. Some of
the sub-caudals enlarged. Belly with about 34 rows of nearly
round scales. Prseanal pores seven, in front of the prseanal
region. Opening of the ear small. Pupil round. Seven upper
and seven lower labials. Median lower labial large, narrow and
square behind, with one plate behind it, and two plates between
it and the first lower labials. Length three inches, of which the
tail is one and a half. Of a brown colour with an indistinct row
of white, black edged spots down the centre of the back, a white
band, black edged anteriorly across the neck, just in front of the
shoulders. A white line through the lower part of the lower
labials which extends to beyond the ear, but not to the cross
band on the nape, A similar white band from the cleft of the
mouth to the ear. A die-shaped white mark on the centre of
the head between the eyes and a large Y-shaped white mark on
the posterior part of the head which has a black spot in the
lower part of it and is joined on each side by a white line which
proceeds from the eye. In a single female specimen the band
across the nape and the black spot in front of it are conspicuous,
but the other markings are faint or obsolete. South Tinnevelly
hills at no elevation, under rock, in dry jungles."

G. Beddomei, Theob.

G. marmoratus, Beddome, Mad, Monthly Jour, Medl.
Scien., 1870, p. 31. (Prceoccupied.)
" Of stout form, body and tail coarsely granular, some of the
scales enlarged, but not spinous; of a dark colour almost black.

( 89 )

clouded .with greyish white markings, or sometimes grey, clouded
with black markings; belly uniform greyish; tail uniform greyish
brown or sometimes with black and grey alternate bands. Pores
eight in a continuous line across the prseanal region, and occupy-
ing the same breadth as the vent: outer scales on the same row,
and 18-20 scales of the two anterior and some scales of the
posterior rows enlarged, flat, and white. One enlarged white
scale at the base of the tail on each side of the vent, some of the
subcaudals considerably enlarged, very irregularly six sided;
rostral plate large grooved behind, with ten small plates behind
it and two very small ones behind the nasal organs. Upper
labials 6-8, the first very large, the last 2-3 very small, lower
labials 6-7, the median lower labial very large, produced back
into a square base and entirely separating the chin shields. Pupil
round; length up to 3 J inches, of which the tail is 1.

Under stones on the South Tinnevelly and Travankor hills
3-5000 feet."

G. Jerdoni, Theobald. Cat. Rep., Mus. As. Soc, B., p. 31.

Back uniformly granular. Down either side a row of distant
erect spines, becoming obsolete on the tail. Tail with a single
row of subcaudal plates, with a few large scales along their edges.
Colour greenish grey mottled with brown. Below greenish white.
Femoral pores 8 on each thigh, large, cup-shaped, bordered in
front by largish scales, and behind by the granular scales of
the back.

Allied to Mysoriensis by its spines, and probably from some
part of Southern India.

G. Humei Theobald.

G. Mysoriensis, Fergusson, Museum label.
Pupil circular. Rostral large, grooved, followed by three
minute shields. Scales on head and body finely granular, larger
on the snout and some enlarged ones on the side. A row of
distant spiny tubercles, pointing backwards on either side of the
belly, between the limbs, and continued along the tail. A few

( 90 )

of the scales on the sides spinose. Tail round, segmented, seg-
ments armed above with enlarged spinose scales, beneath covered
with enlarged imbricate scales. Colour above blackish grey, head
white spotted, a narrow white vertebral line from the nape to
root of tail, with irregular white spots along the back, made of
clusters of white scales. No enlarged prseanals. Below whitish,
the scales along the margins of the belly minutely punctated with
brown. A small species distinct from Mysoriensis, as there are
no " large mamiform scuta" beneath the tail. Both the
museums specimen are probably females as I could see no
femoral pores.

Inhabits Kandy, fide Fergusson.

* * *

Shape of Pupil not recorded.

G. Mysoriensis, Jerdon. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 469. ,
Back granular, with two or three distant rows of spines on
each side, extending along the tail, scales of the tail imbricate
with three rows of nail-shaped subcaudals. Colour greenish
brown with a pale vertebral stripe, and a series of dark brown
marks on the head, back, and sides. Legs and feet banded.
Chin, throat, and anterior portion of eyebrow bright yellow.
Preeanal pores 2 or 3 on each side. Length 25 inches, of which
the tail equals half.

Inhabits Bangalor.

O"

G. littoralis, Jerdon. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 469.

Form slender. Back granular, scales small and equal, on the
muzzle larger. Colour pale brown with a series of pale marks
along the back and tail. A black spot on the nape. Chin and
throat pale yellow. Tail with enlarged subcaudals. Length
2-30 inches.

Inhabits the sea-coast of Malabar.

G. Malabaricus, Jerdon. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 469.
Back granulose : at the root of the tail granules smaller. On the
tail, scales large imbricate. A few small spines at the root of the

( 91 )

tail. Colour dark brown marked with black spots, pale edged,
and a white spot on the nape. Length 2 "40 inches.
Inhabits forests of Malabar.

G. Wicksii Stol. J. A. S., 1873, Part II, p. 165.
. Body depressed covered with very small keeled tubercles
with some larger white ones dispersed over the back and sides
these last being distinctly spinulose. Tail verticillate as in
Hemiductylubs frcanatus. Scales enlarged on the snout but not
above the labials. Rostral followed by two small shields separated
by a smaller pentagonal shield. Nostril behind the rostral and
followed by two slightly enlarged and diverging shields, which
nearly separate the nostril from the first labial. 7 upper and
lower labials, the first the longest, the last very small in both.
Mental large followed by an enlarged shield. No enlarged chin
shields, scales on throat and chest finely keeled ; on the belly,
hexagonal and in 19 longitudinal rows. No enlarged prseanals
or postanals. Subcaudals scarcely enlarged.

Praeanal pores in the male four, and femoral pores four or five in
each thigh.

Colour above "powdered brownish grey and white" with a
vertebral row of white spots extending to the tail almost
continuously; edged before and on the side with black. Side of
body, tail and upper surface of limbs thinly checkered with black.
A dark streak from eye to the snout, and three more to the ear,
occiput, and gape. Labials white spotted.

Inhabits Preparis Island.

Length, 2-50 inches (tail 1-37).

G. Caspicus Eich. Nov. Mem. Soc. Mos, 1841, Tom. vii, p. 114.

G. geckoides Spix. Blyth. J. A. S., XXII, p. 410.
Stoliczka. Proc. A. Soc, B., 1872, p. 80.
General character much as in Kachensis, but head shields
coarser and carinate, and the tubercles on the back closer and
larger ; as large as the ear, some being white and separated by one
or two rows of granular scales. 11 upper and 8-9 lower labials.
Two pairs of enlarged chin shield scales on the belly in 18-20

( 92 )

longitudinal rows with several rows of small scales on the sides.
Femoral pores 32-34 in a continuous line. Colour ashy grey
with five or six indistinct rows of dark spots across the back.
Subcaudals enlarged, entire.

Inhabits the Salt Range of the Punjab.

Stoliczka remarks that " Eichwald's figure gives only one
pair of enlarged chin shields."

Section B. Tail cylindrical.

G. fasciolatus, Blyth.

Naultiniis fasciolatus, Blyth.
J. A. S., B., 1860, p. 114. Anderson, Februaiy 1871.
Body finely granular with numerous enlarged trihedral tuber-
cles verticillately arranged. Tail flattened, with gi-anules and
tubercles and with enlarged subcaudals. Nostril between four
shields ; rostral, first labial and two nasals. Colour grey. A dark
horse-shoe band from either eye across the occiput and a second
on the nape followed by 7 blackish cross bands on the body and
13 on the tail : those on the body posteriorly margined with
white. Toes and claws five, with from 4 to 9 transverse plates.
Femoral pores 5 to 6 on each thigh.

Length, body 215 ; tail 2-75 = 4-90 inches. Type not adult.
Inhabits the Western Himalayas (Subathu),

G. variegatus, Blyth.

Naultinus variegatus Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1859, p. 279.
Anderson, P. Z. S., February 1871.
Body finely granular, with numerous enlarged trihedral tuber-
cles. Tail cylindrical with granular and tubercles, verticillately
arranged, and with enlarged subcaudals. Nostril between the
rostral, first labial, nasal and two small tuberculoid shields pos-
teriorly placed.

Colour grey, beautifully spotted and marked with black, set
off by subdued white. Tail banded above with black and
the terminal third blackish. A broad dark horse-shoe band from
eye to eye over the occiput. The back vT^ry irregularly banded

( 93 )

with dark bands, paler interiorly and with rather zig-zag borders.
Pupil elliptical. Femoral pores 16 on each thigh.

Length, body, 275 ; tail 3 • 62 = 6-37 inches.

Inhabits Martaban (Moulmein).

Cyrtodactylus, Gray.
{Tree geckoide.)

Femoral pores in a groove.
C. rubidus, Blyth.

Puellula ruhida, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1860, p. 109,
a rubidus, Blyth. Stoliczka. J. A. S., B., 1870, p, 165.

Body rather depressed, covered with numerous small and also
larger tubercles. Tail round, with largish tubercles near the
base gradually diminishing in size towards the end which is
curled. Subcaudals not enlarged. Toes free and slender with
short, but sharply curved claws. Colour light brown, with a
fleshy tinge about the head, with a dark mark on the nape and
another across the shoulders. Vertex spotted, with some dark
streaks in front and on the sides. Body dark spotted and
striped. Tail cylindrical, with numerous broad blackish rings,
somewhat confluent below. Pupils elliptical. Prseanal pores 3-4
on each side. Grows to 6 inches, of which the tail exceeds
the body by about a fifth.

Inhabits the Andaman islands.

The crest and folds of skin, originally described by Blyth,
were the result of the strong spirits in which the type specimens
had been placed. Col. Tytler describes this species as holding
its tail up stiffly when running, an agamoid trait often seen in
Calotes but not in the typical Geckoids.

C. afiinis Stoliczka is described from Pinang, J. A. S., B.^
1870, p. 167, but has not yet been recorded from Indian limits.

Pentadactylus, Gray.

Fingers and toes with slightly dilated pneumatic undivided
plates at their base only. The terminal half compressed and

( 94 )

angularly bent. Claws five on all feet, retractile into a com-
pressed bilobed sheath.

P. Duvaucelii D. et B.

Back granular. The nostril surrounded by four small
shields, the first labial and the rostral. Rostral large, notched
above to receive a small intranasal shield. Ear opening large
ovate.

Prseanal pores in five concentric rows, the posterior row of
five scales, the anterior of forty-six.

Inliabits Bengal. (?).

B. Eyelids present

EuBLEPHARis, Gray.

Eyelids well developed ; back tubercular ; tail fragile ; toes
without dilated plates beneath ; scaled. '

Pupil sub-elliptical ; Tympanum thin, deeply sunk.

E. Hardwickii Gray.

Oymnodadylus lunafus Blyth. J. A. S. B., 1847, p. 633.

Ten upper and lower labials. Two chin shields larger than the
first lower labial. Colour pale reddish white. Head from nape
to nose black. Two broad bands across the body, and three or
four rings round the tail deep brown with a black margin
broader than the ground colour.

Prseanal pores 17, in an angular series.

Inhabits Bengal, Madras and Southern India : The Anamullay
hills, &c.

E. macularius Blyth.

Cyrtodactylus macularius Blyth. J. A. B., 1854, p. 738.

E. fasciolatus Giint. A. and M.N. H., Vol. xiv, p. 429.

Habit similar to Hardioickhi. Sides and back covered with oval

tubercles widely separated by closely packed granular scales.

Nostril in a single shield above the first labial. Eleven upper

( 95 )

and lower labials : a pair of large chin shields behind the mental
with four smaller ones in transverse series behind it. Finsjers
more slender and longer than in Hardiuichii. Tail verticillate,
with eight large tubercles transversely arranged along the hinder
margin of each verticil. _ Colour, during life, translucent, very
pink or fleshy grey, in young specimens with a broad black band
across the nape, two more across the back, another in the sacral
region, and three more, besides its black tip, across the tail. A
few black tubercles on the body, otherwise spotless. In adults
these bands change to ocelli margined only with black.

Grows to nearly a foot in length.

Inhabits the Punjab (Jelalpore — Theobald), Labor, »&c.

Giinther's types of fascislatus are from Hyderabad in Synd,

This species was obtained by myself near Jelalpore whilst
excavating some sandy soil. It is strictly a terrestrial, and
nocturnal form replacing in all probability to the westward
the very similar Hardivickii of Eastern India.

I have little doubt that Giinther's specimens from Hydrabad,
Synd, will prove identical with Blyth's iniacalavius, which Giinther
altogether icjnores,

\ Teratolepis, Gunther.

Head as in Hemidactylus covered with small smooth poly-
gonal scales. Body covered with imbricate scales, faintly keeled.
Toes five on all feet, clawed, with a divided row of transverse
pneumatic plates beneath. Eye close to the gape. Eyelids
with a series of largish scales, and above the eyebrow a double
row of most minute scales. Ear an oblique slit. Pupils circular ?

P. Z. S., 1869, p. 504.
T. fasciatus, Blyth.

Homonota, fasciata, Blyth. J, A. S., B., 1853, p. 468.

Limbs very slender. Upper and lower labials 8 band like.
Scales of limbs small, on inner side of arm, granular.

Colour plumbeous brown (or grey), with 7 or 8, irregular broad
whitish cross bands, formed each of three or more contiguous

( 96 )

spots. Beneath bluish ashy. A horse-shoe mark on the forehead
(Type). Other specimens are described as having five longi-
tudinal brown bands, regularly interrupted by white spots which
form 7 cross bands on the neck and trunk. Length 2" 50 inches.

Inhabits Central and Western India (Type from Jaulnah).

In his Monograph of Indian Reptiles, page 99, Dr. Giinther refers
to Blyth's original description of this species (erroneously referring
the description to Jerdon) in a note ; appended to his dictatorial
assertion that " no Gecko has imbricate scales on the back,"
though the description he quotes, distinctly describes the scales
as imbricate and keeled. He also takes the occasion to describe
Mr. Jerdon's (Blyth's) descriptions as " obscure," and generally
containing only " the most trivial characters." Sixteen years
afterwards, however, Dr. Giinther establishes his Teratolepis, for
the geckoid lizard in question, using the very characters which
Blyth had originally pointed out, and which he, Dr. Giinther, had
so superciliously condemned as obscure and trivial. For Dr.
Jerdon's own vindication of himself against Dr. Giinther's un-
generous, not to say unjust, criticism, see the Annals and Maga-
zine of Natural History, 1865, Vol. xv, p. 416.

Geckoella, Gray.

Fino-ers and toes thick at the base, with the ends slender and
rather compressed. Claws five on all feet. Pupil elliptical. No
praeanal or femoral pores.

G. punctata. Gray. P. Z. S., 1867, p. 98, pi. 9.

Back covered with minute scales, with numerous large con-
vex sub-trihedral tubercles. Chin shields four. Colour above
dark chocolate brown, under surface paler. Small white spots on
the temple, occiput, back and tail, those on the back, in longitu-
dinal rows, those on the tail more or less confluent into rings.
A single white spot on the hinder part of the occiput.

Inhabits Ceylon.

This genus differs from Teratolepis in the back being tubercu-
lar : from Euhlepharis in having no prseanal pores, and in the

( 97 )

pupil being oblong and erect, and from Naultinus by its having
m> prgeanal pores. No specimens exist in Calcutta.

Family, Agamid^e,

Head covered with small flattish or convex shields.

Tongue thick, attached to the gullet along its whole base, not
notched, or but slightly in front. Scales of the back, sides, and
belly imbricate, unpolished. Tail long not fragile. Eyelids well
developed. Pupil round. Nostril in a separate plate. Teeth
implanted on the edge of the bones of the jaw, with generally a
pair of canines in front of either jaw. Limbs well developed.

Femoral or prseanal pores none.

A. Tail long. Toes five on all feet.
Tree lizards, habit slender.

Draco, Linnceus.
' A semicircular membrane supported by the posterior ribs
forms a sort of parachute on each side of the body. A gular
sack in both sexes ; most developed in males.

■fc Tympanum scaly.

D. maculatus, Gray.

Nostrils directed outwards, lateral. Dorsal scales smaller than
the upper labials, some of them only keeled. Male with a very
indistinct nuchal crest. Gular sack very large. On each side of
the back a series of large trihedral distant scales. Throat with
small brown dots. Upper surface of parachute with numerous
whitish longitudinal stripes of scales, and with black, rounded
spots, of which one in the anterior corner is generally largest.
Grows to 6 or 7 inches.

Inhabits Assam, Pegu, Tenasserim, Siam, and Pinang.

Typanwni naked.

D. Dussumieri, D. et B.
Nostrils directed upwards. Dorsal scales rather smaller than
the upper labials, slightly keeled. A very prominent horn-like

N

( 98 )

conical tubercle behind and above the posterior part of the orbit
Male with a very indistinct nuchal crest. Gular sack very long
and narrow. On each side of the back a series of small tuber-
cular prominences, each composed of several small scales. Throat
with scattered brown spots. Colour above light. Parachute with
blackish violet reticulated lines on the middle and outer half,
enclosing round light spots. Jerdon describes the colour during
life, of the parachute as red, marked with black and edged with
yellow. The gular sack is pale yellow marked with green at
the base.

Inhabits Malabar, Kochin, and Travankor.

D. tpeniopterus, GUnther.

Nostrils directed upwards. Dorsal shields keeled, smaller than
the upper labial shields. An indistinct series of larger, distant
scales along each side of the trunk. No tubercle above the orbit.
Male with a very low nuchal crest. Gular sack strongly com-
pressed, of moderate breadth and length, covered with largo
smooth scales. Back greenish, iridescent. Parachute with five
arched black bands, not extending to the margin, some forked
at the base and continued faintly across the back. 4-

Inhabits Tenasserim and Chartaboom, Siam.

Otocryptis, WiegTnann.

Back and sides covered with small scales regularly arranged,
and with a few larger ones scattered among them. Male with a
low nuchal, but no dorsal crest, and a large gular sack. Limbs
exceedingly long.

O. bivittata, Wieg.
Head tetrahedral with a sharp muzzle ridge, eyebrows raised,
and the bony part of the interorbital space concave and granu-
lar. Scales of head keeled, one supranasal scale larger than the
rest. Nostril small, round. Scales of throat keeled. No fold
on the throat, or in front of shoulder. Scales of body small,
keeled, directed downwards, with a few larger intermixed. The
hind limb extends far beyond the extremity of the snout.

( 09 )

Colour brownish olive, male with generally a white band along
each side of the back. Six or seven brown bars across the back
between the bands. Legs and tail barred with brown. A brown
band edged with white be ween the orbits. Throat and a streak
from eye to gape, white. Gular sack immaculate.

Length, body 700 ; tail, S'OO = 10-00 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

Lyriocephalus, Merrem.

(Amended to include Ceratophora, Gray.)

Scales of body unequal, or minute with distant series of large
scales. Nose armed with an obtuse hump or pointed horn.

L. scutatus, L.

Scales of back minute with several distant series of large
scales. A crest along the whole vertebral line, superciliary mar-
gins pointed behind. Nose in adults humped in both sexes.
Gular sack moderately developed. The hind foot extends to the
shoulder. Colour above uniform dark green, paler below.

Grows to 15 inches, of which the tail is half.

Inhabits the mountainous parts of Ceylon.

L. Stoddartii Gray,

Ceratophora Stoddartii, Gray.

Throat with longitudinal series of quadrangular scales, A
very low crest along the neck, and forepart of the trunk. Scales,
on the back, small and smooth, on the sides very large and irre-
gular, with smaller ones intermixed. Snout surmounted by a
projecting horn, formed by a modified flexible pointed scale,
more developed in males than females, and white, or purplish
under excitement. Gular sack none. Colour dark green with
dark brown cross bands on the back, tail, and limbs ; generally a
whitish post-orbital streak.

Inhabits the mountainous parts of Ceylon.

L. Tennentii, Giinther.

Ceratophora Tennentii, Giinther.
Throat with longitudinal series of quadrangular scales. Nuchal
crest very low. Scales on the back, smooth and much smaller

( 100 )

than those on the sides, which are equal, and ranged in regulaf
oblique series. Snout surmounted by a fleshy compressed sub-r
ovate appendage, covered by small transverse scales. Gular
sack none. Colour green, irregularly marked with brownish. In
the young, a brown band between the eyes, and from eye to gape.
A light band down each side of the spine enclosing a line of
vertebral brown spots.

Length, body 3-50 ; tail 7-00=10-50 inches.

Inhabits the mountainous parts of Ceylon. *

L, asper, Giinther.

Ceratophora asper, Giinther. '

Throat with small strongly keeled scales. No nuchal crest.
Scales on the back and sides very small with numerous scattered
larger keeled scales. Snout surmounted by a projecting, cylin-
drical slender appendage, covered with small imbricate strongly
keeled scales. Gular sack none. Colour brownish, darker marbled.
A rhombic spot on the sacral region. In females the nasal
appendage is rudimentary. Fore limbs of males with white
edged brown spots. Length 3 inches of which the tail is half

Inhabits the mountainous parts of Ceylon.

CoPHOTis, Peters.

Back and sides covered with very large imbricate sub-equal
scales, some of them keeled. A nuchal and dorsal crest. A
small gular sack in both sexes. In males a very small tubercle
behind the rostral shield.

C. Ceylanica, Peters.
Longitudinal series of quadrangular scales on either side of
the gular sack. Nuchal crest composed of three triangular scales,
separated from the dorsal crest of twelve similar distant scales.
Hind leg extends to the shoulder. Colour fawn colored with irre-
gular broad brown cross bands. Tail nearly white with brown
rings. A white spot in front of the nuchal crest, and a white
band from the gape to shoulder, more distinct in the male. Jaw
with a broad brown margin. Throat white with, one or two,

( 101 )

oblique brown streaks on the side. Length 6 inches of which the
tail exceeds half.
Inhabits Ceylon.

Japalura, Gray.

Back covered with small imbricate keeled scales, with points
directed upwards, with some larger ones intermixed. A small
gular pouch in males and transverse gular fold in both sexes. No
rostral appendage.

J. variegata. Gray.

Biancia niger, Gray.

Head covered with small irregular keeled scales, muzzle ridge
sharp. A small tubercle behind the superciliary ridge. Throat
covered with small keeled scales. A series of small shields, from
the chin, parallel to the labials. A nuchal crest in both sexes,
continued along the back, and disappearing on the tail. Ventral
scales strongly keeled, scales of the tail rhombic keeled, larger
below. The hind limb extends to the eye. Colour very vari-
able, and changeable during life. Back with iridescent green
and reddish brown bands, which ascend obliquely backwards.
Head variegated with black, a light black edged iuterorbital band.
Numerous brown streaks radiate from the eye. The end of the
gular sack deep blue (not black). Labials sometimes brown,
sometimes the upper are yellowish white. Tail with brown or
black rings. Giinther also describes a large female as almost
wholly black variegated with yellow. Females larger than males.

Grows to 12 inches of which the tail is two-thirds.

Inhabits Sikkim up to 9,000, finer and more numerous above
5,000 (see Stoliczka, J. A. S., B., 1872, p. 107).

J. microlepis, Jerdon, Proc. As. Soc, B., March, 1870, allied
to variegata but differs in its much smaller scales, and the very
clearly fewer large ones intermixed, and by the back being
coloured red, which is abruptly separated from the green colour of
the sides, by " a series of somewhat raised scales." Length about
six inches.

Inhabits Sikkim.

( 102 )

J. planidorsata, Jerdon. Proc. As. Soc, B., March, 1S70,

Back very flat, without nuchal or dorsal crest, but " a double
series of very slightly enlarged keeled scales, separated along the
back by one row of smaller scales but on the neck by four or
five" rows, and also several rows of angularly bent larger scales,
the angle directed backwards. " It has a strong similarity in
the arrangement of the scales to J. Swinhonis from China."

Length, body 2-00 ; tail 3-25 = 5*25 inches.

Inhabits the Khasi hills.

But three specimens of these two species were obtained by
Jerdon, and Dr. Anderson (Proc. Zool. Soc, Lon., February
1871) has ranged both as synonyms of variegata, an identifica-
tion not admitted by Stoliczka with regard to the former, and
wholly repudiated by him as regards the latter form.

SiTANA, Cuvier.

Limbs long with five toes in front and only four behind.
Scales regularly arranged, keeled. Male with a large gular
appendage. Eyelid scaly.

S. Pondiceriana, Cuv.

S. miliar, GUnther, I. R., p. 135.

S. Dehkanensis, Jerd., P. A. S. B., March, 1870, p. 76.
Size variable with locality from 550 inches in Northern India
(Stol. J. A. S., 1872, p. 109), to 7*50, in Ceylon (W. Blanford,
J. A. S., 1870, p. 367), or perhaps a little more, the tail being
more than twice the length of the body. Limbs of variable
length, the fore limb sometime not reaching the vent, in other
cases stretching beyond it. Colour, fawn-colored with rhom-
boidal dark spots on the back and a pale yellowish streak from
below the eye through the ear to the loins, and a pale yellowish
vertebral line also, a blue line from the mental down the pouch,
which during courtship, is brightly parti-colored blue black and
red. The labials often blackish.

Inhabits Western Bengal, Northern, Central, and Southern
India, Ceylon, the Panjab.

( 103 )

Jerdon 1. c. points out that as the smaller race was the type of
Pondicenana the term minor is inapplicable for the larger race,
and suggests Dekkanensis, but the balance of opinion of both
Stoliczka and Blanford is in favor of regarding these forms as
mere local races and not as distinct species.

DiLOPHYRUS, Gray.

Back and sides covered with equal, minute, granular scales.
A very high nuchal and dorsal crest, the lobes of which are
united by a membrane. Gular sack small. Tail compressed,
very long.

D. grandis, Gray.

D. grandis Gray, Cantor. J. A. S., B., 1847, p. 640.
Body and tail compressed, limbs long. Head, neck and body
entirely covered with very small scales. Nostril small in the
upper part of a sub-quadrangular shield. Eyelids entirely covered
with granular scales. Gular sack small, ventral scales small,
smooth. The nuchal and dorsal crests high but discontinuous
at the shoulder. Sub-caudals two rowed. Colour, head, neck,
throat, and gular pouch gamboge, the scales edged with brown.
The eyelids dark brown, the tarsi buff. A dark blue streak from
the eye to nostril. Labials and tympanum pale blue. Seven
oblique dark blue streaks down the throat. Two brown bands
enclose the tympanum, meeting above. Back purple brown,
changing to deep lilac on the sides. Beneath white. Side of
the body with oblique series of lozenge-shaped spots, either red
or bright gamboge. Crests mulberry brown. The upper half
of the foremost 13 scales light green, and the foremost 10 scales
of the vertebral crest with their upper half pale yellow. Tail
broadly banded white and brown.
Length, body G'oO ; tail 16-00 = 22-50 inches.
Inhabits Pinang : Pegu.

Bronchocela, Kaup.

Body and sides covered with equal scales, regularly arranged.
The tips of these on the sides directed backwards and down-

( 104. )

wards. Dorsal crest of non-united species. Gular sack slightly
developed. Tail not compressed.

Tympanum naked. Scales equal, directed backwards and
downwards. Head without appendages or prominent spines.
Dorsal crest of non-united spine. Gular sack small. Tail very
long. Femoral pores none.

B. cristatella, Kuhl. - -'

Agama cristatella, Kuhl. Beitr. Zool., p. 110.

A. gutturosa, Merr.

Scales small in 40 transverse rows on the sides between the
vertebral line and belly. Ventral scales larger, in 14 longitudinal
rows. A short row of larger scales forms a continuation of the
superciliary ridge.

■" Nuchal crest low, formed of triangular spines.
' Colour uniform grass green. Grows to 20 inches (tail 16).

Inhabits the Malayan countries, East Indian Islands, and the
Nikobars.

B. Moluccana Less. Voy, Coqu. Rep., pi. I, f. 2.

Pseudocalotes archiducissce, Fitz. Stein Nov. Rep., p. 27.
, Scales in 29-31 rows. Colour green. The orbit, tympanum
sides, extreme margin of labials and a spot behind the tympanum
black, end of tail brownish.

Nikobars.
Peters considers this a distinct species, but Steindachner refers
it to cristatella which view Stoliczka also adopts. J. A. S., 1870,
p. 179.

; B, jubata, D. et B. Erp. Gen. IV, p. 397.

B. gutturosa, Fitz. Ausb., p. 398.

B. jubata, D. et B. Stoliczka, J. A. S. B., 1870, p. 179.
Scales in about 20 transverse rows between the vertebral line
and belly. Ventral scales in 12-16 longitudinal rows, a short
row of larger scales from the superciliary margin. Colour green
spotted about the neck and barred with yellow. Head some-
times yellow. Gular sack red (seasonally?). Java specimens

( 105 )

have 8 upper labials and a smaller rostral. Nikobar specimens
10 upper labials and a larger rostral. A Nikobar specimen had
most of the tail posteriorly reddish brown.

Grows to 21 inches (tail 16.)

Inhabits Java, and the Nikobars, but not India Proper.
Stoliczka suggests if the " Pondiclierry " specimen of Dum et
Bibron may not have really come from the French Missionaries
on the Nikobars via Pondiclierry. Probably so —

B. indica, Theob.

Scales round the body in more than 50 rows ; those on the
back largest, irregular ; on the belly not larger than the rest.
Two or three enlarged scales between the eye and tympanum. A
sub-obsolete indistinct spine at the posterior extremity of
the superciliary ridge. A minute seemingly recurved spine
behind the last, equidistant from eye and tympanum, and three
long erect isolated spines on the neck. Two or three rows over
each orbit of large superciliary scales separated on the crown
by one or two small scales only. An oblique fold in front of the
shoulder lined with minute black scales. Limbs long and slender.
Hind toe laid forward reaches to the nostril. Colour muddy
olive, whitish below. A white streak from below the eye to the
tympanum.

Length 9-50, (tail 7-00).

Inhabits Southern India.

Calotes, Cuvier.

Nasal separated from the labials by two rows of small scales.

Body and sides covered with equal scales, regularly arranged.
The tips of those on the sides directed backwards and upwards.
Dorsal crest of non-united species. Gular sack slightly developed.

A. — A fold before the shoulder.

C. nemoricola, Jerdon.

A detached spine in front of two or three small ones on either
side of the nape. Dorsal crest extending over one-third of the

o

( 106 )

back only. A fold before the shoulder. Scales of the sides very
large, smooth, of the belly much smaller, keeled.

Colour green. Length, body 10-00 ; tail 8-00 = IS'OO inches.

Inhabits Kunur Ghat, Nilghiri Hills. Ceylon (Glinther).

C. mystaceus D. et B.

Two groups of small spines above each tympanum. A series of
slightly larger scales from the eye to above the tympanum. Dorsal
crest well developed. A fold in front of the shoulder. Scales on the
sides nearly twice as large as those on the belly. Colour, during
life, dark brown ; often ruddy vinous, with a conspicuous white
band from the nostrils to behind the shoulder, and sometimes to
the base of the tail. Sometimes only a few dead white spots on
the body, or white or yellow blotches on the shoulders. Season-
ally the males (and some females) assume a gorgeous livery
the gular sack and the enth-e fore-part of the body becoming a
bright deep blue, red mottled on the throat (fading in spirits to
green but green is not the hue of the living animal.) The larg-
est female I have seen measured, body 4*50 ; tail 8"50 = 13 inches.
Stoliczka records one 16 inches. A male measured, body 4'25 j
tail 6*00 = 1025. Gunther says it grows to 24 inches, which
is I believe an error.

Inhabits Arrakan, Pegu, Tenasserim, Siam, Ceylon. The
Nikobars (Blyth) the Garo Hills, &c.

C. Rouxii D. et B.

Two small groups of spines on each side of the neck.
A fold in front of the shoulder. Tail compressed into a
sharpish edge at its base, covered superiorly with very large
pentagonal scales. Tail below with four longitudinal series of
strongly keeled scales, each with a posterior point. Colour
brown, uniform, or spotted with black.
Inhabits India.

C. ophiomaclius Merr.
A single series of spines descends obliquely backwards above
the tympanum. Scales between the eye and tympanum small,

( 107 )

equal. Dorsal crest much elevated anteriorly, and extending
along the trunk. A fold behind the lower jaw. Colour dark green,
with four to six vertical white bands on the body, brown edged
in young specimens. Head lighter coloured, or red, seasonally
a red stripe through the eye, and nuchal crest and throat red,
(Blyth). Tail white banded anteriorly, brown banded behind,
with some white streaks or spots on the limbs. Body 5' 2 ; tail
2080 = 26 inches according to GUnther.

Inhabits South India, Ceylon and the Nikobar Islands.

C. EUiotti Gunthur. J. R. p., 142.

C. Rouxi D. et B. apud Jerdon. J. A. S., B., 1853,
p. 471, and Pro. A. S. B., 1870, p. 877.
Scales of the sides small, nearly as large as those of the
abdomen. A spine behind each superciliary ridge. A fold before
the shoulder. Colour pale brown, with indistinct dark stripes
on the upper parts. A few yellow scales on the sides. Head and
shoulders red (seasonally) Throat reddish, tinged with bluish.
Length, body 2-50; tail 5-50 = 8-00 inches.
Inhabits Malabar, Pigeon Island (Jerdon), Matheran (Stoliczka).

C. nigrilabris, Peters.

a Rouxi, Blyth. J. A. S., 1853, p. 647 (not D. et B.)

A single series of from three to six spines above and behind
the posterior part of the tympanum. No gular pouch, scales
between the tympanum and eye, enlarged. Dorsal crest moderately
developed, and continued on the tail as a series of prominent
keels. Scales on the sides slightly keeled and smaller than on the
belly, which are strongly keeled and smaller than those on the
throat. A fold before the shoulder. Colour green, a black band
along the upper lips involving the tympanum. A pale streak
from the tympanum to the shoulder. In some young samples the
lips and temple are green, variegated with black, and some females
have a black edged white band behind the eye not reaching the
tympanum. Length (Blyth's type of Rouxi, J. A. S., 1853
p. 647). Body 330 ; tail 1170 = 15-00 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

( 108 )

C. Emma Gray.

Three small separate group of spines on each side of the head,
one behind the superciliary margin, and two over the tympanum.
Dorsal crest well developed on the neck and fore-part of
body. A black fold in front of the shoulder. Colour brownish
olive with brown bands across the back, inteiTupted by a pale
whitish lateral streak. Eyelids with short radiating brown
streaks and a brown streak from the eye to the tympanum. Legs
and tail indistinctly dark barred.

Length, body S'OO ; tail 8-00 = H'OO inches.

Inhabits Pegu and Tenasserim. Ponsi in Yunan, Assam, and
probably the Khasi hills.

C. Maria Gray. P. S. S., 1870, p. 778, PI. xlv, 6 B.
0. tricarinatus, Blyth. J. A. S., 1853, p. 650.
C. platyceps, Blyth. J. A. S., 1852, p. 354, vide Giinther
p. 38 ; 1870, p. 778.
Two series of larger scales, more or less spiny over the tym-
panum, the upper being continuous with the superciliary ridge.
Scales of throat small. Dorsal crest developed on the neck and
anterior part of trunk. Gular sack oval. A fold before the
shoulder. Colour uniform green. Head of males bright green
during the nuptial season. Elbows and keels with a yellowish
white (red in life) spot.

Length, body 4-00 ; tail 12-00 = 1600 inches.
Inhabits the Khasi hills and the Himalayas, Dorjiling (Jerdon).
The Garo hills (Anderson).

C. Jerdoni Gunther. P. Z. S., 1870, p. 778, PI. XLY, f. A.

Enlarged spines close over the tympanum. Scales of the throat
large. Nuchal crest lower than in Maria, formed of triangular
compressed laminse. Colour green with a red stripe down each
side of the back, continued as a line of red spots along the tail,
and red elbow patches. This species never attains the size of
Maria but runs uniformly smaller.

Inhabits the Khasi hills.

( 109 )

C. gularis, Blyth.

Salea gularis, Blyth. J. A. S., 1853, p. 473.
Fourteen lengthened spines from occiput to behind the shoul-
ders, the seventh and eighth longest. Gular pouch well developed.
Two inconspicuous ridges of slightly lengthened spines above
the tympanum.

Body, 475 ; tail 1175 = 16-50 inches.
Inhabits Mirzapur.

C. liocephalus Gun. An. & Mag., N. H., 1872, Vol. IX, p. 86.

No spines on the side of the head. Dorsal crest of moderate
slender spines on the neck, sinking to a mere serrated line on
the back, but a few longer spines in the sacral region. A dis-
tinct fold in front of the shoulder, covered with granular scales.
Gular sack small. Colour green with irregular dark cross bands on
the back. Crown of head mottled with dark green. A narrow
green band from the eye to above the tympanum. Tail olive
with broad brown ring. Limbs with green rings.

Body 4-00 ; tail 11 = 15-00 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

B. — No fold before the shoulder.

C. versicolor, Daud.
Two small groups of spines perfectly separated, above the
tympanum. Dorsal crest moderately elevated on the neck and
anterior part of the trunk, extending only to the tail in large
individuals. No fold before the shoulder. Scales largish, keeled.
Colour pale brown with darker lozenges or bands along the back
and a pale lateral band. Two black specks on the occiput,
some dark specks about the eyes. Seasonally the males assume
a brilliant garb, body bright red, extending occasionally to the
loins, tail and limbs black, head and neck yellowish, picked out
with red, or wholly red. Grows to a larger size in Ceylon and
Southern India, than in Bengal. A Ceylon specimen measured,
body 5-00 ; tail 11*00 = 16*00 inches. A large male from Pegu,
body, 3-75 ; tail 11-00 = 14*75 inches. Jerdon mentioned one
from Southern India probably, of 18 inches, but such a size is rare.

( 110 )

Inhabits Northern, Central and Southern India, Ceylon ;
Bengal, Assam, Arakan, Bhamo, Birmah, and Tenasserim.

C. gigas Blyth.

C. ophiomacJius Mer apud Blyth. J, A. S., 1842, p. 870.
Resembles versicolor, but is larger, has no gular sack but a
double nuchal crest of spine — like scales half an inch long.
Dorsal crest also more developed than in versicolor. Colour
apparently uniform, but specimen bleeched and locality un-
recorded.

C. viridis, Gray. An. & Mag., N. H., 1846, Vol. XVIII, p. 429.

" Nape with two isolated spines above the ears. Neck with-
out any pit in front of the shoulder, but with dark spots at the
hinder part of the lower jaw. Eyebrows not horned. Green.
Scales large; at base of tail larger; of limbs and underside of the
body smaller ; of crown, smallest. Nape and shoulders with a
compressed crest. Hinder part of back and tail with an obscure
keel.

Hab. Madras.

Like C. versicolor, but uniformly coloured, the back less crest-
ed and the scales smaller."

Giinther unites this species with versicolor, but erroneously I
believe. Certainly versicolor is never seen green, in any part of
India with which I am familiar.

Bkachysaura, Blyth.

Like Calotes, but with enormous head, stout body and tail not
longer than body. Toes short and strong. Direction of scales
less oblique than in Calotes, but not so straight as is Salea.

B. ornata Blyth. J. A. S., 1856, p. 448.
A slight nuchal crest and dorsal ridge of high-keeled scales.
Two tufts of sincipital spines one contiguous to the tympanum
and each comprising one principal spine. A fold before the shoul-
der. Colour olive with a row of large round dark spots, bordered
with white, along the back and anterior half of tail ; continued

( 111 )

indistinctly to the end. The white colour broader and forming a
pale spot on each side of neck, A white spot anteriorly to the
last on the crest. Lower parts yellowish white, the throat
speckled with pale dusky. A conspicuous oblique white band
from beneath the eye to gape.
Inhabits Sagur, Central India.

Salea, Gray.

Nasal pantagonal, resting on the first labial.

Scales of back and sides strongly keeled, with larger ones
interspersed. Scales form longitudinal series, with the tips direct-
ed backwards. Head without spines. Back crested. Gular sack
or fold none. Nostrils lateral in the hinder part of a small shield.

S. Horsfieldii Gray = female.

S. Jerdoni Gray = male ; teste Giinther.
Calotes viridis Gray, apud Blyth.

Dorsal crest high in the adult male, separated from the nu-
chal portion by a short interspace. Crest rudimentary in females.
Colour bright grass green marked with brown. Back with irre-
gular black and white cross bands. Many white scales being dark
margined and black ones with a red longitudinal streak. Head
red and white spotted. Crest partly black, partly red. A black
band, white margined below, from the eye to behind the shoul-
der, interrupted behind the tympanum. Large isolated scales,
white. Legs banded like the back ; tail brown barred.

Length, body 4-00; tail 11-00 = 15-00 inches.

Inhabits the Nilghiri hills and Newera Ellia, Ceylon.

Giinther, with the ' types' before him, unites both of Gray's
species, but Anderson seems to regard them as distinct, J. A. S.,
1871, p. 32.

Salea gulavis of Blyth seems a Calotes.

AcANTHOSAURA, Gray.
Back and sides covered with very small scales, with larger
keeled ones intermingled. A free spine behind the superciliary
edge. A dorsal crest of non-united spines. Gular sack none.

( 112 )

A armata, Gray,
Body covered with small rough granular scales, larger scales
each terminating in a small spine. A vertebral crest, slightly
interrupted on the neck. Spines of crest long anteriorly, trian-
gular behind. A fold before each shoulder not extending across
the throat. Ventral scales keeled. The scales- in the preeanal
region larger than the ventrals. Tail slightly compressed. Scales
below strongly keeled, longer than broad, each terminating in a
small spine. Colour greenish brown with roundish light spots.
Five or six black lines radiate from the orbit over the lip.

Length, body 5-50 ; tail 700 = 12-50 inches.

Inhabits Tenasserim, Singapore, Pinang and Kochin China.
This genus is hardly represented in British India, save in
Tenasserim. I once, however, procured a lizard in Rangoon, with
an orange vertebral line, which I doubtfully referred to A capra
Gunther.

TiARis, Gray.

Back and sides covered with small imbricate scales with
scattered larger ones. No spine behind the superciliary margin.
Dorsal crest of non-united spines, A gular sack in males and
fold before the shoulder in both sexes.

T. subcristata, Blyth.

Coryphophylax Maximiliani Fitz.
Scales of the body very small, intermixed with some larger
ones. Some enlarged tubercles at the base of the tail. Subcaudals
in two rows very sharply keeled. Nuchal crest small save in
old males, in whom it is higher than the dorsal. Dorsal crest con-
tinued to the end of the tail which is considerably compressed.
Limbs and tail very long. Colour in adults uniform greenish with
some dark stripes in front of the shoulder. Males reticulated and
obliquely striped with dark brown on the sides, the light in"
terspaces variegated with yellow and red. Sometimes the whole
vertebral region purplish red. The gular sack is reticulated
with reddish yellow, and black. Numerous black streaks radiate

( 113 )

from the eye. Labials dark spotted or wholly brown. Tail
encircled with broad dark bands.

Length, body 400 ; tail ll'OO = 15-00 inches.

Inhabits the Andaman and Nikobar Islands, swarming at
Kamorta and Nankowri. (Stoliczka, J. A. S., B., 1870, p. 182.)

Charasia, Gray.

Body and sides covered with small keeled scales with some
larger ones interspersed.

Tail round. A fold before the shoulder and giUar sack in
males, {Oriocalotes, Gunther),

C. minor. Gray,

Oriocalotes minor Gray. Giinther, I. R., p. 147.

Scales of moderate size with larger ones intermixed, the tips
directed upwards ; a spine behind the superciliary ridge ; a dorsal
crest, more distinct in males. Subcaudals keeled, as broad as
long. Aspect that of a Calotes. A low crest of triangular spines
commences on the neck, and is continued to the end of trunk.
Scales on the sides as large as those of the belly, with larger
intermixed. Colour greyish olive, marked with brown ; brown
bands on the limbs, tail, and between the orbits which are
marked also with radiated streaks.

Length, body 2-50 ; tail 4-50 = 7'00 inches.

Inhabits Sikkim. '

C. major, Jerdon. Proc. As. Soc. B., March 1870, p. 77.
Closely allied to the last, but differs in the scales of the belly
being conspicuously larger than those of the sides, and in
colouration. Colour purplish grey above with black cross band on
the head, and, arrow-shaped ones on the trunk, to the root of the
tail. A blackish band from the eye along the side of the neck.
Sides green, mixed with black (the black scales small and smooth,
the green large and keeled). Limbs and tail barred and ringed with
dusky. Throat white, black dotted. Gular sack light purple.
Belly tawny white, brown dotted.

( 114 )

Length, body 310; tail 625 = 9-35 inches.
Inhabits the Sutlej valley near Kotgurh.

Tail round not verticillate. No gular sack. A transverse gular
Toiu of small scales, Oreotiaris Qunther.

C. tricarinata, Blyth.

Calotes tricarinatus, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1853, p. 650.
Tiaris Elliotti, Giinther. P. Z. S., 1860, p. 151.
Oriotioris Elliotti Giinther. I. R., p. 150.
Scales slightly keeled. A central occipital one, slightly larger.
Interorbital space very narrow. Muzzle ridge and edge of orbit
form a continuous sharp edge. Nostril small, in a single shield
over the first labial. Mental shield subtriangular, longer than
broad. Five lower labials. Throat covered with imbricate keeled
scales. A small conical tubercle behind the orbital edge, and
another on the throat below the tympanum. A series of
tubercles above the tympanum, stretching towards the nuchal
ridge. A series of enlarged keeled scales along the back, to the
root of the tail. Scales of the belly imbricate, rhombic subequal
and regularly ranged. Prseanals not enlarged. Scales of tail imbri-
cate. Colour olive brown, variegated darker in males. Beneath
dull yellowish.

Length, body 250 ; tail 4-50 =7-00 inches.
Inhabits Sikkim.

Tail slightly compressed, suh-verticUlate, No gular sack. A
gular cross fold. A tubercular spine on the hinder super-
ciliary edge. Charasia Gray.

C. dorsalis. Gray.
Head depressed, triangular. Body covered with subimbricate
keeled scales, with larger ones mixed, not always very distinct; in
130-140 rows round the body. Throat covered with small smooth
scales and a series of five larger ones, on each side of the chin,
separated from the lower labials. Mental elongate, triangular
pointed behind. Two groops of small spines above the tympan-
um. Nuchal and dorsal crests, low. No enlarged prseanals.

( 115 )

Colour dusky gi'ey with dark markings. A black band behind the
eye, continued down the side and a second behind the gape.
Limbs black dotted. Males seasonally above, a fine vermillion red.
sometimes passing to yellow. Belly, limbs and tail black.

Length, body 5*50 ; tail 10.50 = 16 inches.

Inhabits Maisor, Bangalor and the Nilgiri hills.

C. Blanfordiana Stoliczka. J. A. S., B., 1872, p. 110.

C. dorsalis Gray, apud Blanford. Jas. B., 1870, p. 368.
■ Head subtrigonal shorter and blunter in young specimens, and
parotids much smaller in adult males. Similar in general aspect
to dorsalis but with larger scales which only form 80*100 rows
round the body. The limbs are larger, and the scales as well as
larger, more distinctly imbricate. The scales on the tail are
larger than those on the body and the median series above
slightly larger than the rest. Colour variable, as in dorsalis olive
brown, with some lozenge-shaped spots on the back.

A brown band from the eye to the shoulder, margined below
with white. Tail banded above, dingy white below. Males
seasonally Cinnabar red before, black behind.

Length, body 3-80; tail 8-20 = 1200 inches.

Inhabits Raipur, Chatisgurh, Udipur, Ranchi, Hazaribagh,
Parisnath in Western Bengal, and is not improbably the species
recorded as, dorsalis from the Panjab and Birbhum. (For full
details consult Stoliczka's and Blanford's Papers, 1. c.)

Phrynocephalus, Kaup.

Head short depressed, obtusely rounded in front. Nostrils in
front of the snout directed upwards and forwards. Body and
tail depressed, covered with very small scales. Throat with a
transverse fold — viviparous,

P. caudivolvulus Pall.

P. Stolizkai Steind. Nov. Rep., p. 23, tab. 16, 6, 7.
Scales of back equal, very small. Thirty-one quadrangular
upper labials. The hind leg does not reach to the eye. Colour
greyish olive, marked with blackish. Adult males with the

( 116 )

centre of belly and tip of tail black. Length 4 inches, of which
the tail is more than half.

Inhabits Tibet at 15,000. Lake Choraoi-iri, &c.

I am not aware if this interesting species is found on the
Southern slopes of the Himalayas. These lizards are monogam-
ous, two occupying a shallow burrow in the earth, the mouth of
which is usually concealed by a stone or tuft of grass.

B. Femoral or prseanal pores or callous scales in their place.

TyTYipanum naked.

Stellio, Daudin.

Body depressed. Scales of back and sides unequal in size and
shape. Tail round, scales irregularly verticillate. Throat with
a cross fold. No gular sack. No femoral or prseanal pores, but
thickened spongy scales in the prseanal region,

S. tuberculatus. Gray.
S. Indicus, Blyth.
Barycephalus Sykesii, Gunther. I. R., p. 157.

Enlarged scales along the back in 13 to 17 longitudinal series.
A minute nuchal crest, but the scales not enlarged on the middle
of the neck. An enlarged row of scales below the eye. The
scales of the belly in 48-54 transverse rows. A few enlarged
scales on the sides. A spiny crest from the eye to the tympanum.
12 upper and 11 lower labials. Colour, body and limbs dark
olive, brown, almost blackish, with darker spots in the young,
with yellow spots intermixed. The head of the adult is cineri-
tous olive spotted black and yellowish on the side, on the breast,
and sides orange spots. Below dull white, dusky spotted on the
throat, and spotted and tinged with reddish blue. Seasonally
males above bluish black, strongly tinged with purple.
Length, body 5-00; tail 8-50 = 13-50 inches.

Inhabits the Western Himalayas up to 12-14000 feet, and
recorded by Blyth from Mirzapur,

( 117 )

S, menurusla, Blyth.

Laicdakia and Plocederma melanura, Blyth. J. A. S., B.,
1854, p, 737.

Laudalda tuherculate, Gray. Cat. Rep., A. Soc. Mus.

On the middle of the back 8 rows of enlarged keeled scales, the
keels forming longitudinal lines ; no enlarged scales on the back
of the neck, save those forming the nuchal crest. The scales of
the belly smooth in 53 transverse rows. The scales of the sides
are granular, with a minute apical spine, in transverse rows and
without enlarged scales among them. 17 upper and 15 lower
labials. Colour olive grey, speckled over with dark scales, and
some scales paler than the rest. Throat and below the shoulders
beautifully marked with greyish black.

Length, body 37 ; tail 7-7 = 11-4.

Inhabits the Western Himalayas, Simla, Kashmir.

S. Dayanus, Stoliczka.

Enlarged dorsal scales moderate, sharply keeled in about
13 longitudinal rows in the centre of the back, smaller, but
distinctly continuous on the neck up to the occiput. Nuchal
crest small. Numerous enlarged, almost spiny scales on the
sides among the smaller ones. Scales on the belly indistinctly
keeled, with a patch of enlarged hardened scales in the centre,
where the scales form 40 longitudinal rows. Pr^eanals thickened,
spongy in the middle, and transude a fluid. Scales of the tail
irregular at the base, further on, arranged in verticils. Colour,
in adults blackish, with indistinct darker spots on the back.
Head paler, body densely yellow spotted, throughout reticulated
with bluish. Seasonally males tinged with red and blue on the
fore parts. Throat blue. Beneath yellowish white. Terminal
two thirds of tail blackish.

Length, body 6-00 ; tail 1200 = 1800 inches.
Inhabits the Western Himalayas, Hurdwar, Masuri, Kalka,
Simla.

( 118 )

S. Himalayanus, Stein, Novava. Kept., pt. 1, 1867, p. 22,
Enlaro^ed scales of the back smooth.
Inhabits Ladak and the Upper Indus valley.

Trapelus, Cuvier.

Body depressed, covered with irregular scales unequal in size.
Tail rounded, covered with imbricate keeled scales. Paratoids
unarmed. Head and neck without spines. Throat with a cross
fold. Nuchal crest none, or rudimentary. Neck contracted.
Eyelids with a fringe of small scales. A series of pores in the
male. Femoral pores none.

T. megalonyx Giinth is recorded from Afghanistan, and may
range into India — or other species of the genus.

Agama, Cuvier.

Body depressed, covered with rhombic keeled scales with some
scattered spinous ones. Throat with a longitudinal and one or
two cross folds behind. Groups of spines on paratoids and
sides of neck. Tail covered with imbricate rhombic scales, a
series of pores in the male. Femoral pores none.

A. agilis Oliv.

Trapelusjlavimaculatus Rupp. Blyth, J. A. S., B., 1854.

Uromasticid^.
Herbivorous agamoids mostly gregarious and social.

LiOLEPis, Cuvier.

Tympanum naked. Scales minute and granular. Tail depress-
ed, with very small square keeled scales arranged in transverse
series. Throat with two transverse folds. Ventral scales smooth.
Femoral pores. Skin of the trunk lax, forming a pseudo-para-
chute.

( 119 )

L. guttatus Cuv.

Uromastix Belliana, Gray.
Leiolepis Reevesii, Gray.
L. Bellii, Gray.

Eyelids scaly. Thirteen to nineteen femoral pores on each
thigh, separated in the pubic region. Colour pale reddish brown
with numerous dark circled orange spots on the back. Sides
sharply barred with black and bright orange alternately. Tail
pale greenish brown minutely yellow dotted above. Underside
pale yellowish, eye oval black, brown ringed. Tail seasonally
suffused with red ; throat blue ; belly orange, reticulated with
blue.

Length, body 600 ; tail IS'OO = 19-00 inches.

Inhabits the Malayan peninsula, Tenasserim, Pegu, and
Arrakan, and found by Beddome in Kanara.

I gravely doubt if Cantor's idea that these lizards use their
lax membrane as a parachute to aid their flight from tree to
tree as the dragons do, is correct. The dragons, when alarmed,
take flight at once, but I am perfectly familiar with this lizard
and have never seen it seek a tree, or adopt any means of escape,
but a hasty retreat to its burrow. Draco is not a burrower —
Leiolepis is, and they are gregarious, and cuniculine in their
habits as well as diet, and never ascend trees,

Uromastix, Merrem.

Tympanum naked, scales minute and granular. Tail depressed
surrounded by rings of spinous tubercles, not reaching below.
Throat with a transverse fold. No dorsal crest. Ventral scales
smooth. Femoral and prseanal pores.

U. Hardwickii, Gray.

Saara Hardwickii, Gray.
Head short, obtuse. Eye rather small. Eyelids scaly. Skin
of throat very lax. Tail depressed, very broad anteriorly
ringed with transverse series of spinous shields with granular
interspaces. A series of eighteen femoral pores on each thigh
interrupted in the pubic region.

( 120 )

Colour yellowish grey, clouded or waved with blackish trans-
verse lines. Occasionally a black spot inside each femur.

Length, body S'oO ; tail 6-50=:15 inches (or more).

Inhabits the North Western Provinces, Synd, the Panjab, &c.

The Uromastix leaves its burrow, when the sun is well up, and
grazes about for some time, retreating during the midday heat.
Towards evening it reappears : retreating again, as the air grows
chilly, and closing its burrow carefully for the night, with sand.
When captured they assume a very peculiar and resigned expres-
sion of countenance, and offer little resistance when held in the hand.

PhrynoceidlialiiS has all the appearance of being a third genus
of their family, but I am not certain if it is herbivorous or not.

Cham^leonid^.

Body vertically compressed, keeled above and below, scales
granular. Tail long, prehensile. Feet zygodactylous. Eyes
globular, prominent, covered by a circular lid pierced by a small
central hole, capable of independent motion. Tympanum
hidden. Tongue exceedingly long, wormlike, highly viscous
at the tip and capable of protrusion and retraction with lightning
speed. Arboreal, oviparous,

C vulgaris L.

Ridge of back and belly denticulated. Occiput with a pro-
minent longitudinal crest highest behind and separated from the
nape by a deep groove. Colour pale green, uniform or mottled
and banded with darker. Sometimes mottled with yellowish.
Lays for 30 to 40 eggs. Length nearly a foot of which the tail
is more than half.

Inhabits Midnapur, the Rajmahal hills, the forest tracts in
peninsular India and Northern Ceylon.

These curious lizards may be easily studied in captivity, if well
supplied with grasshoppers, crickets, dragon flies, blattse and other
large nutricious insects — which they seize by darting their tongue
on to them from a considerable distance. The telescopic and
unconnected movements of the two eyes is without parallel in any
other Family of Reptiles. But one species is known in India.

( 121 )

Order OPHIDIA.
Body elongate limbless, or with rudimentary pelvic styles,
scarcely visible externally. The ribs performing the function of
locomotion. The rami of the mandible united in front by an
elastic ligament. Eyelids none. Penis double, lodged (as in
lizards) at the base of the tail, armed with blunt spines, tubercles,
and digitiform processes, imperforate, eversile, with an external
groove at the base for the conveyance of the semen. The
renal secretion passed per cloacam. The majority of terrestrial
species harmless, the Pelagic species, being extremely poison-
ous without exception.

Ophidians are divided into three sub-orders.
1st, Harmless Colubrine Snakes.
2nd, Venomous Colubrine Snakes.
3rd, Viperine Snakes.

Sub-order 1. HARMLESS CoLUBRiNE Snakes.
Poison gland none.

Family Typhlopid^s:.

Head blunt, not distinct from the neck. Tail short. Eyes
rudimentary, covered by the head shields. Scales polished
imbricate. Forepart of the head covered by large shields.
Upper labials four. Cleft of the mouth inferior, very small, a
few teeth in the upper jaw only. Rudimentary pelvic limbs
hidden beneath the skin.

Typhlops, Dumeril et Bibron.

Snout covered with large shields ; rostal large rounded, blunt.
Prseocular present.

a. Fronto-nasal in contact with the second labial.

T. Horsfieldii, Gray.
The width of the upper part of the rostral is one-third that
of the head. Nasal united with the fronto-nasal above the
nostril. (In the closely allied Pinang species nigro-albus these

Q

( 122 )

shields are entirely separated), its lower portion is considerably
broader than that of the fronto-uasal. The frouto-nasals extend
behind the rostral but remain widely separate.

Prseocular sub-equal in size to the ocular, which extends as far
back as the hinder labial. The first labial in contact with the
rostral and nasal. The second with the nasal, fronto-nasal, and
prseocular. The third slightly ascends between the preeocular
and ocular. The fourth below the ocular. Scales of body in
26 longitudinal and about 300 transverse rows.

Colour blackish oUve above, gradually passing to dull yellowish
on the belly. Grows to 17 inches. Circumference ^^th of
entire length.

Inhabits the Khasi Hills, Assam and Tenasserim.

T. striolatus, Peters.

Upper portion of rostral band-shaped, broader than the lower
and extending to between the eyes. The nasal is partly united
with the fronto-nasal above the nostril and touches the first and
second labials. Fronto-nasals not contiguous behind the rostral,
their lower portion as long as the corresponding part of the
nasals, their hinder margin concave. The second labial in con-
tact with the nasal, fronto-nasal and prseocular. The third
labial is acutely wedjed in between the prseocular and ocular,
which are equal. Eye very distinct. Supraorbitals and parietals
broader than the frontals which are equal. Intraparietal nearly
twice as broad as frontal.

Scales of body in 24 tranverse rows.

Tail shorter than head, terminating in a minute spine.

Colour olive brown above. The darker terminal part of each
scale separated from the lighter base by a yellow, posteriorly
dark edged transverse streak. Below paler. Grows to 12" 5
inches .

Inhabits Lower Bengal. ,

T. bothriorhynchus, Giinther.
A round groove larger than the nostril on the suture between
the nasal and fronto-nasal, below the nostril; another similar

( 123 )

but smaller groove on the suture between the rostral and nasal.
The upper part of the rostral one-third the width of the head.
The lower part much longer than broad. Nasal very broad
below, as broad as the frontonasal in the middle. The suture of
these shields is continued above the nostril. The fronto-nasal
extends a little backwards to the hinder side of the rostral and
its posterior margin is deeply concave. The first labial in
contact with rostral and nasal. The second, with nasal, fronto-
nasal and prseocular. The third slightly ascends between the
praeocular and ocular. The fourth, not much larger than the
third, scarcely reaches further back than the ocular. All the
shields on the crown are enlarged, the supraoculars and inter-
parietal being rather the largest. Scales of the body in 24 longi-
tudinal and 312 to 329 transverse rows. Colour uniform brown
above and below, or with the terminal half of scales slightly
paler. Grows to 11 inches. Circumference yVth of entire length.
Inhabits Pinang, Assam (Anderson) Hard war (Day).

T. Theobaldanus, Stol. J. A. S., B., 1871, p. 429, PI. 25, f. 5-8.

Head shields as in "porrectus, but the rostral reaches farther
back on the top of the head and is nearly one half its width, but
much narrower below. Scales of body in 22 longitudinal and
485 transverse rows. Tail long with 26 transverse rows of scales.

Colour above pale brown, pale below.

Grows to 14 inches. Circumference ^V of ^^^^ entire length.

Inhabits India. (?).

T. tenuicollis Peters, MonatsbericJite Akad. Berlin 1864,
p. 272.

Onychocephalus, (Ophthalmidmi) — tenuicollis Peter, 1. c.
Body very elongate, cylindrical, conspicuously thinner at the
head than at the tail. Eyes not perceptible. Dorsal portion of
the rostral shield a little longer than broad, rounded off, convex,
nasal in front of the nostril united to the fronto-nasal, and in
contact beneath with the first upper labial, and the anterior half
of the second; fronto-nasal behind flatly concave. Praeocular and
ocular very similar in size and form, divided below by the pointed

( 124 )

third upper labial. Pmefrontal and frontal very broad, much
broader than the supraoculars and parietals which are of the
same size. Interparietal no larger than the body scales, which
are in 20 longitudinal rows. Tail short, as long as broad, with
12 rows of scales. Colour olive, browner above, yellowish below,
the dorsal scales brownish on their largest halves, darker towards
both sides, producing an appearance of dark longitudinal lines.
Said to inhabit the Himalayas.

T. porrectus, Stol. J. A. S., B., 1871, p. 426. PI. 25, f. 1-4.

Body very slender. Head slightly broader and depressed.
Rostral broader above than in front, slightly narrowed behind.
The nasal touches the fronto-nasal in front towards the rostral
but is disunited below. The fronto-nasals extend behind the
rostral, but without meeting. The nasal is in contact with the
first and second labials. The fronto-nasal touches the second
labial only. The prseocular is in contact with the second and
third, and the ocular with the third and fourth labials. The eye
is very indistinct, situated below the anterior part of the suture
between the supraocular and the ocular. The first upper labial
is very small, and in young specimen hardly traceable. The
second distinct, the fourth considerably higher and longer than
the third. All the head shield finely punctate.

Scales of the body in 18 longitudinal and in adults 440 trans-
verse rows. Colour above pale chocolate or leaden brown above
shading into paler below. Grows to 11 inches. The circum-
ference being ^^ of the entire length.

Inhabits Hard war, Parisnath Hill, Calcutta, Sikkim, Agra, &c.

T. Andamanensis Stol. J. A. S,B., 1871, p. 428, p. 25, f. 9-12.
Rostral reaching far back on the head, rounded behind, slightly
more than one-third of its width. Nasal small, separated from
the frontonasals by a suture above and below. Frontonasals do
not meet behind. Two prseoculars, the lower one smallest. Ocular
moderate with the eye indistinctly seen through it. An elonga-
ted subocular. First labial smallest, elongate, in contact with

( 125 )

nasal. Second much larger, just touches nasal, broadly the fronto-
nasal, and narrowly the lower prseocular.

The third touches the lower prseocular and subocular. The
fourth is slightly less than the third, and only narrowly touches
the subocular, and more broadly the lower postocular.

Scales of body in 18 longitudinal and 390 transverse rows.
Tail nearly three times as long as the head and terminating in a
minute point.

Colour above deep brownish black, sides vinaceous. Below
paler, mottled with white. Inhabits the Andaman islands.

b. The frontonasal separated from the labials by the intervening
nasal and prceocular shields.
T. braminus Daud.

Kostral one-third as broad as the head, not much broader
above than below. Nasal entirely separate from the frontonasal,
but in contact with the prseocular below the frontonasal. Upper
part of frontonasal almost as broad as the rostral, behind which
it reaches, but without touching its fellow on the other side.
Prseocular and ocular equal. Eye very distinct. First labial in
contact with rostral and nasal. The second with nasal and prseocu-
lar but not with the frontonasal. The third slightly ascending
between the prseocular and ocular. The fourth below the ocular
and extending farther backwards. Frontal, supraoculars, and
parietals equal. Head shields with a pale crenulate margin. Body
rather thicker behind than in front. Scales of body in 20 longi-
tudinal and 316 transverse rows.

Colour uniform brown, paler below.

Grows to 8 inches. Circumference yV^h of entire length.

Inhabits Ceylon, Bengal, N. W. and Central India, Tenasserim,
and the Malay Archipelago (Stol.)

T. pammeces, Giinther.

T. tenuis Giinther (prseoc.)
Closely allied to braminus but of much slenderer proportions.
Scales of body in 20 longitudinal and 366 transverse rows.
Circumference iith of entire length.

C 126 )

T. mirus Jan.
Rostral shield half as broad as the head, its lower portion
being: broader than lons^. The frontonasal extends behind the
rostral without touching its fellow. Above the nostril it is
broader than the rostral. Its hinder margin is S shaped and
bordered by two shields, the upper a prseocular, and a lower one
which is a subocular. The ocular is situated behind the prseocular
and above the fourth labial. The first labial touches the rostral
and nasal. The second the nasal, frontonasal, and subocular,
slightly ascending between these last. The third is smaller than
the second, and in contact with the subocular only. The fourth
is as large as the other three and in contact with the subocular
and ocular.

Scales of body in 18 longitudinal and .333 transverse rows.

Body thicker behind than in front, circumference at centre
-jLth of entire length.

Colour uniform brown. Snout yellow.

Inhabits Ceylon.

Onychocephalus, Dumeril et Bihron.

Rostral with a trenchant anterior edge.

O. acutus. D. et B.

Typhlops Russelii, Gray.

0. Westermanni, Luhken.
Rostral exceedingly large, covering nearly the whole of the
upper surface of the head, sharp edged in front where it is slight-
ly bent down into a rather acute point. Its lateral margin
touches both eye and nostril. Head shields overlap each other,
so the eye is seen through the ocular and the overlapping fronto-
nasal. Prseocular situated behind the lower portion of the
fronto-nasal. The ocular behind its upper portion. First labial
touches the rostral and nasal. The second, the nasal, fronto-
nasal, and prseocular. The third and fourth touch the sub-ocular.
Scales on body in 28-29 longitudinal and in 406 to 500 trans-
verse rows. Colour light bronze, each scale on the back with a

( 127 )

pale centre. Yellowish below. Grows tolG inches. CircumferencG
ill the middle yV^^ ^^ entire length.

Inhabits the Anamallay hills and the Dekkan.

Family Tortricid^.

Body cylindrical with head not distinct from neck. Tail
extremely short. Rudimentary pelvic limbs hidden in a groove
on either side of vent. Scales smooth. The ventrals slightly
larger than the other scales. One pair of frontals. Six upper
labials, A mental fold.

Cylindrophis, Wagler.

Nostril in a large plate, which forms a suture with the oppo-
site nasal behind the rostral. Occipitals small. Eyes small with
a round pupil and surrounded by a supraorbital, a postocular,
two labials and the frontal.

0. rufus, Laur.

Scales in 19 or 21 rows. Sub-caudals 6-9. Colour brown.
Belly with white cross bands extending up the sides (red
seasonally ?). A red collar and lower part of tail during life
bright red.

Grows to 30 inches.

Inhabits the Malayan Archipelago, Tenasserim, Pegu, and the
Irawadi valley.

C. maculatus, L.

Scales in 21 rows. Ventrals not much larger than the adjoin-
ing scales. Sub-caudals 5-6. Colour brown above, white below
reticulated with black lines and bands, a black vertebral line and
an irregular lateral one. Transverse bands on the back, narrow,
on the belly broad. Head and neck black, followed by a red (?)
collar, an oblique white (red ?) band descends from the occipitals
to the throat.

Grows to 24 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

It is probable that during life, at all events seasonally, the
' white ' as described in this snake, is a bright red.

( 128 )

Family Uropeltid^.

Head not distinct from, but smaller than the neck. Tail short,
truncated. Eyes small. Scales polished imbricate, the ventral
series somewhat enlarged. One pair only of frontals, upper labi-
als four. Cleft of the mouth moderate. Teeth in both jaws, but
none on the palate. No rudimentary pelvic limbs. Habits
subterraneous. Confined to Ceylon and Southern India.

Rhinophis, Hemprich.

Tail cylindrical, covered with smooth scales, and terminating
in a convex scabrous shield. Head conical, nasals separated by
the rostral which extends backwards. Eye in a single plate.
Body thickest anteriorly and with scale in 19 rows in the middle.
Head often displaced from its direct axis, as though " it had been
dislocated during some efiort of the snake to penetrate the soil."
Giinther. Viviparous.

R. oxyrhynchus Schn, Peters Uropelt, p. 9, tab. 2, f. 1.
Daypatnaya Lankadivana, Kel. Prod. II, p. 16,
Mytilia uniniaculata, Gray. P. Z. S., 1858, p. 264.
Snout acutely pointed. Rostral nearly half as long as the
head. Keeled above. Caudal large, convex, extending to the
lower surface of the tail, as large as the heal. Ventrals 214-233,
not much larger than the adjoining scales. Males with 7 or 8,
females with 6 subcaudals, some simple, some bifid. Colour
brown, each scale with a pale margin.

Grows to 15 inches, and is thickest anteriorly.
Inhabits Trincomali and the Kandyan District of Ceylon,
living 2 or 3 feet under ground, in white-ants' nests, and like
places.

R. punctatus, Miill. Peters Uropelt, p. 12, tab. 2, f. 3.

Pseudotyphlops oxyrhynchus, Schl.

Snout acutely pointed. Rostral nearly half as long as the

head, keeled above. Caudal large flat, extending to the lower

surface of the tail. Ventrals 228 not much larger than the

adjoining scales, 7 or 8 sub-caudals. Colour yellowish, each scale

( 120 )

with a dark central spot. The scales next th^ vertebral rows
unspotted.

Grows to 19 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon, where it is rare.

R. planiceps, Peters. Peters Uropelt, p. 15.

M. pMlipinnus, Guv,

Snout acutely pointed. Rostral much less than half the
length of the head, and barely compressed above. Caudal ob-
tusely convex, larger than the head and extending to the lower
surface of the tail. Ventrals 156-174! not much larger than
adjoining scales. Males with 6 entire sub-caudals, females with
4 bifid ones. Colour blackish olive, scales pale margined. Prse-
anal scales white, with white blotches sometimes on the fore
part of the body.

Grows to 16 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon, and not the Philippines, as erroneously sup-
posed by Cuvier and the French Zoologists.

Giinther considers "planim^s Q,nd Philipiyinus identical, so that
the latter name had better be suppressed.

R. Trevelyanus, Kelaart. Prod. II, p. 17.

Mitylia Gerrardi, Gray. P. Z. S., 1858,

RJiinophia homolepis, Hem. Pet. Urop., p. 14, tab. 2, f. 2.

Snout acutely pointed. Rostral much less than half the length
of the head ; indistinctly keeled above. Caudal obtusely convex
reaching to the lower surface of the tail, and rather larger than
the head. Ventrals 193-202 not much larger than the adjoining
scales. Sub-caudals 4 or 5, some simple, some bifid. Colour
above black, below white, each scale with a black central spot. A
row of triangular white spots along e£ich side. Tip of tail whitish.

Grows to 11 inches.

Inhabits the Kandyan district of Ceylon.

( 130 )

R. sangumeus, Bed. P. Z. S, 1863, p. 227.

jB, microlepis, Bed., 1. c.

The male is thus described by Giinther.
Snout acutely pointed. Rostral one-third the length of head,
obtusely keeled above. Caudal larger than the head. Barely
reaching to the lower surface of the tail. Ventrals 197, twice as
large as adjoining scales. Sub-caudals, single and bifid, 9 or 10
in males, or 6 or 7 in females. The last ventrals, sub-caudals
and adjoining scales 4 to 8, keeled in males.

Colour uniform black above. Belly and three outer rows of
scales scarlet, with some black spots interspersed. Caudal disk
black, with a yellow median streak and red outer margin. A
large black spot beneath the tail.

Grows to 13 inches.

Inhabits the Wynaad (Cherambady, .teste Beddome) at 3,500
feet altitude.

A female from the Tinnevelly Hills may be thus described —

Scales in 19 rows anteriorly, in 15 posteriorly. Yentrals barely
distinguishable from the rest, save on the throat, caudals 5 pairs,
and one single terminal scale. All scales smooth. Colour above
brown throughout, and brown below posteriorly, gradually chang-
ing to yellow on the fore-part, by the gradual increase in
breadth of a yellow margin to the scale, till at the throat the
yellow wholly replaces brown, the two colours sharply separated
along the fifth outer rows of scales. A broad yellow band on
either side of the tail below, with a narrow one above it, both
bands just encroaching on the caudal disk when they show as
a few orange spots.

The female differs so from the male, as not to be easily recog-
nized from Giinther's description, drawn up from a male.

R. Blythii Kelaart. Prod. II, p. 14,

Mytil'm Templetonii, Gray. P, Z. S., 1858, p. 263 (aged).

M. melanogaster, Gray, (immature male).

( 131 )

Plectrurus Geylonicus, Peters. Monats, 1859, p. 388.
E. melanogaster. Peters Uropelt, p. 18, tab. 2, f. 4.

Snout pointed. Rostral much less than half the length of the
head. Caudal shield small, not half as large as the head. Ven-
trals, 150 — 170 scarcely enlarged. Sub-caudals bifid, 7 to 9.
Colour above brownish. Belly paler, sometimes blackish. A
series of 5 or 6 triangular yellowish spots, (red in life ?) united
at the base by a more or less distinct longitudinal band, along
each side of the body in front. A yellowish ring round the root
of the tail. Grows to 14 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon, where it is the commonest species.

E. Pulneyensis, Beddome. P. Z. S., 1863 ; p. 228, pi. 25, f. 2.

Snout rather obtuse. Rostral rounded behind, one-fourth
only as long as the head. Caudal very small, as large as the
rostral. Ventrals 175 twice as large as the adjoining scales.
Sub-caudals 12 in males, 6 or 8 in females. Colour brownish
black, a yellow band commencing from the labials, runs along
each side of the forepart of the body and is continued as a
series of spots to the vent. The spots sometimes extend across
the belly. A yellow line along each side of the tail, joining
across the vent.

GroWvS to 9 inches.

Inhabits the Pulney Hills in Southern India, at an altitude of
7,000 to 8,000 feet.

R. grandis. Bed. Mad. Mon. J. M. S., 1867, p. 15, PI. II, f. 4.
" Snout obtusely pointed ; rostral shield rather acute behind
produced back far between the nasals, but not touching the
frontals, from one-third to one-fourth the length of the head,
without any distinct keel. Caudal shield small, bicuspid, the
points side by side : Trunk surrounded by 17 rows of scales,
the anterior portion by 19 rows; ventrals twice as large as the
adjoining series ; scales of the tail and a few of the last scales of
the trunk near the vent furnished with 23 keels. Colour of the
back brownish black, belly yellowish, the yellow colour rising in
triano-ular markings which are alternate with similar markings

( 132 )

of the colour of the back, the dark colouring sometimes joining
these of the other side particularly in the anterior portion of the
belly. Length up to 2 feet with a circumference of a man's
thumb.
Anamallay forests, in moist woods, at 4,000 feet elevation.

Ueopeltis, Ouvier. (in part).

Tail cylindrical obliquely truncated, as if severed by a knife ;
the end flat, rough, scaleless. Head conical, nasals forming a
suture behind the rostral. Superciliary and postocular united.
Scales anteriorly in 23 rows.

XJ. grandis, Cuv.
U. Philippinus, Cuv.

IT. Siifragamus, grandis et pardalis. Kel. Part II, p. 15, 16.
Snout pointed. Scales on the neck in 23 rows. Ventrals
138 — 148. Sub-caudals 7 or 8 bifid. Colour uniform brown
above. Ventrals and scales of sides brown, with a broad yellow-
ish margin. Young sometimes irregularly white spotted.
Grows to 20 inches. ,

Inhabits Ceylon. (Adams Peak and Matura.)

SiLYBURA, Peters.

Tail sub-cylindrical, scales of the caudal disk provided with
one or more keels ; terminal scale horny, bispinous, horizontal.
Head conical. Nasals forming a suture behind the rostral. Eye
in a single plate.

S. macrolepis, Peters. Monats, Berl. Acad., 1861, p. 904.

Snout obtuse. Rostral without keel above, shorter than the
vertical. Caudal disk fiat, twice as long as broad, each scale
with one or two keels. Scales in the middle of the body in 15
rows. Ventrals 137. Sub-caudals 9 pairs. Colour black. A
broad irregular yellow band along each side in front, narrowing
and disappearing behind. A yellow band along each side of the
tail below.

Grows to 10'5 inches.

Inhabits Southern India, probably.

( 133 )

S. Beddomei Giinther. Ann. & Mag.,N. H.,1862, Januaiy, p. 56.

Snout obtuse. Rostral compressed into a slight keel above,
longer than the vertical, caudal disk ill defined, nearly as long as
the tail, each scale with two or three strong keels. Scales in the
middle of the body in 17 rows. Ventrals 178. Five or six pairs
of sub-caudals. Colour brown. Each scale on the sides with a
pair of whitish dots, each ventral with a whitish spot. A yellow
line along the side of the neck commencing at the gape. Vent
and tip of tail, yellow.

Grows to 11 inches.

Inhabits the Nilghiri and Anamallay Hills at from 3,000 to
4,500 feet.

S. ocellatta Beddome. P. Z. S., 1863, p. 226.

Snout pointed. Rostral much shorter than the vertical and
slightly compressed above. Caudal disk twice as long as broad,
each scale with three or four strong keels. Scales in the middle
of the body in 17 rows. Ventrals 199, 203. Sub-caudals 8 or 10,
entire or divided. Colour yellowish olive, darker towards the
head and tail. Of the female dull brownish. Of the young dark
purplish brown, all with numerous closely set irregular transverse
series of yellow, black edged ocelli, always two on each side.
Along the belly a corresponding series of yellow, black edged
spots. Belly brownish.

Grows to 14*5 inches.

Inhabits the Nilghiris at Walaghat: in dense forest.

S. EUiotti, Gray. P. Z. S., 1858, p. 262.

Uropeltls Ceylanicus Gwv. Regne Anim.

Colohurics Ceylanicus, Dum et Bib. VII, p. 164, tab. 59, f. 3,

Sihjhura Nilgherriensis, Bed. P. Z. S., 1863, p. 226, PI. 26, f. 1.
Snout obtusely conical. Rostral shorter than the vertical, not
keeled above. Caudal disk flatttened in females, convex and ill
defined in males, twice (or more) as long as broad ; each scale
with two or three strong keels. Scales in the middle of the
body in 17 rows. Ventrals 143 to 168. Sub-caudals seven to
twelve pairs. Colour brown above and below. A yellowish streak

( 134 )

from the gape along the neck. Sometimes some irregular yellowish
spots along the sides and on the back. The lower part of the
tail is encircled by a yellow band.

Grows to 11 inches.

Inhabits Southern India (Madras and the Deccan), but not
Ceylon as stated by some herpetologists.

S. bicatenata Glinther, Mon. I. R., p. 191, PI. 17, f. H. H.

Snout obtuse. Rostral rounded, shorter than the nasals, vertical
square. Fourth upper labial as high as long, caudal disk flat
terminating in a slightly upturned bicuspid scales, each scale of
the disk with one, two or three keels. Scales on the neck and
body in 17 rows. Ventrals 135, sub-caudals 12 pairs. Colour
black above and below, each scale on the back with a yellowish
margin. A yellow band broken up anteriorly into spots, runs
along the edges of the fourth and fifth outer rows of scales.

Grows to 9" 5 inches (or more).

Inhabits the Dekkan.

S. Shortii Beddome. P, Z. S., 18G3, p. 225, PI. 25, f. 1.

Snout not conical, but depressed and obtuse. Eye com-
paratively large. Rostral shorter than the nasal. Vertical
hexagonal, almost rectangular before and behind. Fourth upper
labial much longer than high, caudal disk flat, well defined, not
quite twice as long as broad, each scale with two or three strong
keels. In the middle of the body 17 rows of scales. Ventral
139, nearly twice as broad as the adjoining scales. Sub-caudals
9 pairs. Colour black, with numerous scattered white scales.
An irregular white band from the gape along the fore part of
the body, A yellowish band along each side of the tail, not
joined over the vent.

Grows to 8 inches (or more).

Inhabits the Sheveroy hills (Shevroys), up to 4,500 feet.

S. brevis, Glinther. Mon. I. R, p. 192, PI. XVII, f. D.

Snout obtuse. Rostral shorter than the vertical. Caudal disk
flat, nearly as long as the tail. Each scale with two strong keels.

( 135 )

Scales in the middle of the body in 17 rows. Ventrals 122,
Sub-caudals, 9 pairs. Colour above brown, below yellowish,
densely marbled with brown. Sides of the throat yellowish,
immaculate. The lower part of the tail black, with a broad
white band on each side.

Inhabits the Anamallay and Nilghiri hills.

S. rubro-maculata, Bed. Mad. M. J. M. S., 1867, p. 15, PI. II, f.3,
" Caudal disk well defined as if cut ofi' with a knife. Scales of
the disk very prominently 2 keeled, terminal scale large, square
at the end or very inconspicuously bicuspid. Abdominals 127,
some of the last nearest the tail double; sub-caudals 8 pairs. Scales
in 17 rows. Colour brownish, a portion of each scale dull yellow,
the yellow colour predominating on the belly and sides. Five red
blotches along the sides on the anterior portion of the trunk,
and one on each side of the tail, near the vent.
Anamallay forests 4,000 feet elevation.

" Nearly allied to S. Elliotti, but with quite a different colour-
ation."

S. Wood-Masoni, Theob.

Scales in 19 rows on the middle of the body. Head distorted.
Disk ill-defined, scales with 2, 3, or 4 keels. Six pair of caudal
shields. Mental very small, two lower labial shields, the poste-
rior ones the same as the scales.

Colour black, brownish anteriorly. A yellow band from the
gape, involving half of the fourth upper labial, continued down
the neck and then broken up into yellow spots along the abdomen.
Tail margined below with yellow, which unites across the vent.

Length 8'50 inches (tail 050).

Inhabits the Palney hills.

Plectrurus, Dumeril et Bihron.

Posterior part of the tail compressed, covered with obtusely
keeled scales and terminating in a vertical bicuspid scale. Head
conical'. Nasals form a suture together behind the rostral. Eye
between four shields.

( 130 )

P. PeiTotetii, D. et B. VII, p. 167, pi. 59, f. 4.

Rostral as long as a nasal. Vertical elongate, much longer
than broad. Scales in the middle of the body is 15 rows. Ven-
trals 161162, nearly twice as broad as the adjoining scales. Sub-
caudals 8 pairs. Colour uniform brownish.

Grows to 14 inches.

Inhabits the Nilghiri and Anamallay hills at 7,000 to 8,000.
feet.

P. Giintheri, Beddome. P. Z. S., 1863, p. 228, pi. 27.

Head flat above, with obtuse snout. Rostral considerably
shorter than a nasal, with a right angle behind. Vertical elon-
gate, nearly twice as long as broad. Body in the middle with
15 rows of scales, on the neck 17. Ventrals 172-175 nearly
twice as broad as the adjoining scales. Sub-caudals 12 pairs.
Colour above purple, scales paler margined. Below yellow,
rising on the sides in triangular markings, alternately with
similar expansion of the colour of the back. Some narrow purple
stripes crossing the belly.
Grows to 14 inches.

Inhabits the Nilghiri hills at Walaghat, 8,500 feet.

R. scabricauda, Theob.

Scales in 15 rows. Eye between four shields, frontal, superci-
liary, postocular, and third labial. Nasals large. Caudals 8 pairs.
All the scales surrounding the tail, and a few of the last ventrals
are roughened with 1, 2, 3 short tubercular keels. Tip of tail
flattened vertically, pustulose, simple, not cuspid. Chin, tail, and
body iridescent blackish brown. The ventrals and the adjoining
row of scales yellow.

Length 6' 5 3 inches (tail 0*40).

Inhabits the Anamallays.

P. sanguineus, Bed. Mad. Month. J., Med. Scien., 1867, p. 14.
" Tail compressed, with the scales very obscurely keeled, termi-
nal scale ending in a single sharp point. Head elongated. Ros-
tral very small, nasals joined behind the rostral. Frontals very
large, vertical six sided, diamond shaped. A supra-orbital and a

( 137 )

postocular. One elongated, temporal between the fourth labial and
occipitals. Eye rather large, pupil elliptic, erect, no median
groove alons the chin. Scales in 17 rows. Abdominals 144.
Sub-caudals 7 pairs. Colour of back and sides dull black, belly
red, here and there interrupted by black markings.
Anamallay forests, 4,000 feet elevation."

P. triliniatus. Bed. Mad. Month. J., Med. Scien., 18G7, p. 14,
(Platyplectrurus, G iinthe r) .

" Snout rounded, not conical, cleft of mouth deep, eye large
pupil round, rostral slightly produced back, nasal forming a
suture behind the rostral Supra-orbital shield present and a
postocular shield distinct from the eye. One large temporal
shield " (the figure shows 2) " no median groove along the chin.
Scales in 15 rows ; posterior portion of the tail much compressed,
some of the last scales very inconspicuously 2-3 keeled. Termi-
nal scale broad and ending in a small point, minutely tubercled
above, and with a deep groove below. Body and belly of a
bright brick red colour with one dorsal and two lateral black
punctated, lines which extend from the neck to the end of the
tail, the black dots each covering a scale. The lines are some-
times here and there interrupted by 1 to 3 consecutive scales
being red. Ventrals 165. Anal bifid. Sub-caudals 18 pairs.
Total length 15 inches. Circumference | of an inch. The teeth
are very conspicuous, and gradually longer behind. There are
about 8 in the upper jaw and 5 in the lower.

Anamallay forests elevation 4,000 feet."

P. Kanaricus, Bed. Mad. Monthly J., Med. Scien,, 1870.
" Scales in 15 rows. Anal large bifid. Sub-caudals about 154.
Snout obtuse, rostral triangular behind, produced back between
the nasals ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, vertical
four sided, very pointed behind. Eye rather large, in front of a
large ocular shield. Pupil round. Caudal disk laterally com-
pressed (as in Plectrurus) each scale with 3'5 in conspicuous keels
and ending in two sharp spines one above the other. Very vari-
able in its markings but generally of a brownish colour, with

S

( 138 )

only the anterior portion of the trunk variously streaked blotched
and dotted with yellow. Tail always yellow beneath. Length
of the largest specimen 16 inches ; girth of trunk 1 J inches."

Inhabits South Kanara, " very common on the top of Kudra
Mukh " at 6,000.

From the character of its tail I have removed this species
from Sihybura to Plectrurus. The describer does not describe
the postocular, which is probably therefore confluent with
the supra-orbital.

Melanophidium, Gilnther.

Tail slightly compressed, covered with smooth scales and ter-
minating in a very small smooth, slightly upturned horny point.
Nasals form a suture behind the rostral. Eye in a single plate.
A median groove along the chin.

M. Wynaadense, Beddome. P. Z. S., 1863, p. 228.
Plectrurus Wynaadensis, Bed. Mad. Mont. J. Med. Science.
Snout obtuse. Rostral small, convex as high as broad. Nasals
large, vertical hexagonal longer than broad. The first pair of
lower labials form a suture behind the mental. A pair of chin
shields. Scales in 15 rows. Ventrals 180 thrice as broad as the
adjoining scales. Anal large, bifid. Subcaudals 12 pairs. Colour
black. Belly posteriorly black and white. Grows to 9 inches.
Inhabits the Wynaad (Nilghiris) at 3,500 feet.

M. bilineatum. Bed. Mad. Month. J., M. S. Sept. 1870.
" Fifteen rows of smooth scales : tail compressed (as in Plec-
trurus) ending in a single point, head rather elongate, snout
rounded, mouth large, nasals forming a suture behind the rostral,
frontals large pi'oduced back to a level with the eye over the
ocular shield : eye very small, no supra-ocular, a median groove.
Belly and back, uniform bluish black, very nacreous, and assum-
ing all the colours of the rainbow in the sun ; a broad yellow
streak from the snout to the tail on each si de, which occupies
the whole of the second scale from the abdominals and half the
first and third scales; subcaudals 14 pairs, total length eight
inches; as thick as a goose quill."

( isa )

Inhabits the Wynaad (Peria and ' Tirrhioot' Peaks) at
6,000 feet. •

M. punctatum, Bed. Mad. Month. J. M. S., December 1871.

"Snout obtuse. Rostral shield rather small, simply convex,
nearly as high as broad. Nasals large forming a suture behind the
rostral. Vertical hexagonal nearly as broad as long, with an
obtuse angle in front and an acute angle behind. Eye in a large
shield. No supraorbital or postocular, the first pair of lower
labials form a suture together, behind the median shield and are
followed by one large and one small pair of chin shields, the
median line running between all three. Scales in 15 rows shining
and smooth, or more or less covered with small glandular raised
blotches. Ventrals 186-101 twice as broad as the adjoining scales,
shining smooth or glandular. Anal large, bifid, terminal horny scale
about 2 lines long, bicuspid in adults, slightly rough on the sides,
above concave with a serrated ridge on each side ; back uniform
bluish black, shining, nacreous and exhibiting all the colours of
the rainbow ; belly and sides whitish, each of the 3 lower scales
on each side with a very regular oblong black blotch, forming 3
very regular parallel lines on each side. Each ventral with a
large parallelogrammoid black blotch (transverse with the oblong
blotches of the side). Subcaudals 15-17 pairs, each with a black
blotch."

Grows to 18 inches.

Inhabits Travankor (Mutikuli voyal in the Asamba hills, at
4,500 and at Pirmid (Peermeed).

Two species of tlenostoma, S. macrorhynchum, Jan. and S.
microrhynchum, Jan. have been described from India, but I
have not seen the original descriptions, nor am I sure if the
species are really Indian or not.

Family Xenopeltid^e.

Head depressed, not distinct from neck. Tail short ; tapering,
no rudimentary pelvic limbs. Scales large polished. Eye small.
A mental fold.

( 140 )

Xenopeltis, Reimvardt.

Upper labials eight. Prseoeular large, replacing the absent
loreal. Occipital covered by five shields. Scales in fifteen rows.

X. unicolor, Rein.

Supraorbital small, not much larger than the eye. The anterior
pair and central occipitals resemble the vertical in form and size.
Nasal small oblong and transversed by a suture on which the nostril
is situated. Pr^eocular very large, forming a suture with the
posterior frontal and vertical. Postoculars two, equal. 8 upper
labials, the fourth and fifth being produced up to form the orbit
with the lower post-orbital. 7 lower labials.

Colour above uniform steel blue, splendidly iridescent ; whitish
below. Young ones have a white head.

Grows to nearly 50 inches, of which the tail ^.

Inhabits the Malayan Archipelago, Tenasserim, Pegu, Trichino-
poli (H. F. Blanford) the Andamans.

Family Calamaeid^.

Head not distinct from neck. Eye small with round pupil.
Some of the head shields always reduced. A mental fold. Maxil-
lary teeth equal. Palatine teeth present.

Calamaria, Boie.

Body cylindrical. One pair of frontals. Nasal simple, small.
Loreal none, united with the frontal. One postocular. Four or five
labials. Scales smooth in 13 rows. Anal entire. Subcaudals
divided.

C. Siamensis, Giinther.
Upper labials four. The first pair of lower labials are in con-
tact with each other. Colour (olive) fleshy grey, with 11 very
narrow longitudinal black lines down the back, the vertebral and
alternate lines rather thicker than the rest. Head dark with a
yellow collar behind, followed by a second black edged yellow
collar, after a dark interspace less than the length of the head.
Occipitals yellow with a black spot. Tail minutely j^ellow

( 141 )

tipped, with two band like yellow blotches on one side and three
on the other. Beneath white, yellow on chin.

Another specimen had a conspicuous dark median line beneath
the tail but no spots. In Giinther's type the ventrals and sub-
caudals are described as densely punctated with brown, the
margins remaining immaculate. Grows to 8 or 9 inches.

Inhabits Siam, Tonghu, Eangun &c.

C. catenata Blyth. J. A. S, B., 1854, p. 287.

Colour above dusky, black speckled on a pale ground. Below
pale buff with an iridescent lustre, with a lateral series of square
black spots mostly on alternate scuta. Four black lines above,
separated by a pale mesial streak, simple on the tail but on the
body broken up into a cateniform line of spots. An imperfect
whitish buff collar.

Grows to 17 inches.
Inhabits Assam.

Macrocalamus, Gilnther.

Body cylindrical. One pair of frontals. Nasal simple. Nostril
between nasal and first labial. Loreal none, united with frontal.
One Prse and one postocular. Eight upper labials. Scales smooth
in 13 rows. Anal entire. Subcaudals divided.

M. lateralis, Giinther.

Frontals bent down to the second and third labials. The fourth
and fifth labials enter the orbit, the seventh is largest. Six lower
labials, the first pair touching, behind the mental.

Colour brown. A dark brown band enclosing a chain of whitish
dots runs along the side, bordering the belly. Back with two
series of indistinct brownish black spots and an irregular series
of small black dots along each side of the belly. Beneath
whitish. A blackish subcaudal band.

Length 12 inches.
Inhabits India (?)

( 142 )

Blythea, Theobald.

Frontals two pairs. Loreal and prseocular none, replaced by
postfrontal. Nostril in a small oblong shield. Scales smooth in
13 rows.

B. reticulata Blyth.

Calamaria reticulata, Blyth. J. A. S., B., XXIII.

Pree-frontals small. Postfrontals very large, forming a suture
with the nasal, second and third upper labials, the superciliary
and vertical. 6 upper labials. First very small, third and fourth
enter the orbit, sixth largest. Lower labials five. The first pair
form a suture and are followed by a pair of very large chin
shields and these by a small pair, the suture falling on the middle
of the fourth lower labial. Anal bifid.

Colour shining black, brilliant and iridescent, with white
s^jecks on the sides.

Inhabits Assam.

Geophis, Wagler.

Body cylindrical, stout. Two pairs of frontals. Two small
nasals. Loreal and prse ocular united into one elongate shield.
Rostral small, scales smooth.

G. microcephalus, Giinther.

Scales in 13 rows. Back with three rows of small dark spots
a dark band, white edged down either side. A yellowish streak
behind the gape. Belly blackish.

Grows to 18 inches.

Inhabits the Nilghiri hills.

AspiDURA, Wagler.
One prsefrontal. Two postfrontals. Two small nasals. Loreal
none. Scales smooth or partly keeled. Anal and subcaudals
entire.

A brachyorrhos, Boie.

Calamaria scytale, Schl.
The postfrontal does not enter the orbit, but touches second and
third labials. Prseocular touches superciliary. The lower postocu-
lar larger than the upper. 6 upper labials. Scales smooth in 1 7 rows.

( 143 )

, Colour yellowiBh olive with four indistinct Jaiker longitu-
dinal bands, and a vertebral series of black dots. An oblique
black band on the side of the neck. Belly white.

Grows to 15 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

A. trachy procta, Cope.

The postfrontal forms the upper anterior margin of the orbit
and touches the second and third labials, being generally separ-
ated from the fourth by a small prreocular. The lower postocular
larger than the upper. Six upper labials. Scales in 15 rows,
smooth but those on either side of the vent in the male, spinous,
in the female keeled (or smooth).

Colour above brown, sometimes with four or five rows of
small dark spots, sometimes confluent, the mesial one along the
spine being commonly present. A dark band along the side of
the tail. Belly marked with black.

Grows to 15 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

A. Copii, GUnther.

No praBOCular, the postfrontal forming the front of the orbit
and touching the second, third and fourth labials. Postoculars
subequal. Six upper labials. Scales in 17 rows, keeled on the tail
and pubic region. Colour brownish, minutely dotted with black.
A row of 26 pairs of black spots along the trunk, each occupying
four scales and reddish margined before and behind. A black
spot behind the gape, and each labial black margined behind.
Belly marked with black.

Grows to 16'5 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon (probably).

A. Ceylonensis, Giinther.

Haplocercus, ceylonensis, Giinther.

Aspiduraz carinata, Jan.
Body very slender, scales keeled in 17 rows. Nostril between
two small nasals and the first labial. 7 upper labials, the third
and fourth entering the orbit. ,

( 1^4 )

Colour uniform blackish, or light brown, with a black verte-
bral line, and two dorsal rows of small black spots. An oblique
black edged white band on either side of neck. Below dull
yellowish, immaculate.

Grows to 19 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

I see no adequate grounds for separating this species generically
from aspidura as that genus presents forms with smooth and
keeled scales.

Family Oligodontid^.

Body cylindrical or slightly compressed. Head short, not
distinct from the neck. Scales smooth. Eye moderate with
round pupip. Head ornamented with symmetrical arrow-shaped
markings.

Trachischium, Oilnther.

Scales smooth in 13 rows. Two prsefrontals. One postfrontal
(rarely divided). One loreal. Scales at the root of the tail and
vent, keeled in the male.

T. fuscum, Blyth.

Colamaria fusca, Blyth. J. A. S., B., Ill, p. 288.
Trachischmn rugosun, Gtlnther.
Prse-frontals minute. Post-frontal single, very large, larger than
the vertical. Vertical small pointed behind. Loreal small,
elongate. Prteocular one. Postocular one, rather large. Upper
labials six, first very small. Third and fourth enter the orbit.
Sixth largest. Anal bifid.

Colour iridescent brown black, particularly lustrous below,
obscurely streaked with pale lines. Grows to 19 inches.
Inhabits Dorjiling.

Grotea, Theohald.

Frontals two. One anterior and one posterior. Loreal one,
small. Scales smooth in 17 rows. •

( 145 )

G. bicolor, Blyth.

Calamaria bicolor, Blyth. J. A. S., B., XXIII, p. 289,
Nostril pierced in the centre of a large nasal. Loreal small.
Rostral broad. Prsefrontal transverse, two-thirds as broad as ros-
tral. Post-frontal transverse broader than rostral, Prseocular one,
small. Postoculars two, small. Occipitals large. Upper labials
five, the third higher than the rest; enters the orbit. Fifth
largest. Anal bifid.

Colour dusky plumbeous above, gradually passing into buffy
white below.

Inhabits Assam and the Khasi hills.

Falconeria, Theohald.

One prae-frontal. Two post-frontals. Upper labials five.
Loreal present. Scales faintly keeled in 17 rows.

F. Bengalensis, Th. J. A. S., 1868. Extra Number, p. 44.

Head rather ovate and elongate, narrowed in front. Nostril
almost dividing a small nasal, (Perhaps between two). Loreal
one, small, squarish, Pr^ocular very elongate, 5 upper labials.
The first very small. The second and third enter the orbit.
Fourth and fifth large. Anal bifid. Three undivided subcaudals,
the rest divided.

Inhabits Parasnath Hill.

Oligodon, Boie.

Rostral more or less extended backwards. Head shields nor-
mal, the loreal being occasionally absent. Nostrils between two
partly confiuent nasals. One prseocular. One or two postoculars.
Scales smooth in 15-17 rows. Maxillary teeth few, the last
enlarged. Palatine teeth usually absent, A brown fillet crosses
the forehead through the eyes, forming a distinct brown spot
below the orbit; a second angular band with its apex on the
occipitals, and ends passing behind the gape, and a third band
on the neck, the three sometimes united by a median line.

( 146 )

Scales in 15 roius.

0. subgriseus, D. et B.

Loreal distinct (exceptionally united with posterior frontal).
One prse and two postoculars. 7 upper labials, the third and
fourth entering the orbit.

Head with symmetrical brown, black-edged markings. Back
with numerous narrow irregular reticulated cross streaks, inter-
rupted by three more or less distinct narrow whitish lines, the
middle one marking the vertebral line. Belly white, occasionally
each second or third scute marked with a pair of marginal dots.

Grows to 19 inches.

Inhabits the Anamally hills (Beddome), Dumerkunda, Bengal
(Anderson).

O. spilonotus, Giinther.

Loreal distinct. One prse and two postoculars. 7 upper
labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Head with the
usual symmetrical marks. An angular band across the forehead
descending obliquely through the eye, a second on the crown, des-
cending to the gape, separated by a yellow enterspace from a
third nuchal band, as large as the head and covering the extre-
mity of the occipitals. Back with 17 large 8-shaped black-edged
brown spots. These spots are distant from each other and with
some intervening black transverse stripes. Lower parts white.

Grows to 15 inches.

Inhabits Madras.

O. Elliotti, Gunther.

Loreal distinct. One prse and two postoculars. 7 upper
labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Head with mark-
ings very similar to the last. Second band confluent with nuchal
spot. Back ornamented with about 37 large rhombic black
spots, each of which gives off a descending process on either side.
Lower parts white.

Inhabits Madras.

( 147 )

O. subpunctatus, D. et B.

Loreal distinct. 8 upper labials, the fourth, fifth and sixth
entering the orbit. Head with the usual symmetrical markings.

Colour greyish with a dorsal series of round white-edged black
spots. Belly white. Scuta black dotted on either side.

Inhabits Malabar, Manbhum and Calcutta (Anderson).

O. fasciatus, Giinther.

Loreal distinct. One prse and two postoculars. 7 upper
labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Head markings
indistinct. Second band not confluent with the nuchal spot.
Colour brownish olive with about 27 broadish brown black-edged
cross bands, each slightly interrupted by a narrow yellow verte-
bral line. Belly whitish with numerous small brown spots more
thickly placed along the sides.

Grows to 14 inches.

Inhabits the Dekkan.

O. sublineatus, D. et B.

Loreal distinct. One prse and two postoculars. 7 upper labials
the third and fourth entering the orbit. Colour brownish olive
a brown spot below the eye. A large brown blotch on each side
of the neck. A line of small transverse light-edged brown spots
down either side of the back. Each ventral scale with three brown
dots forming three punctate streaks. Tail with two similar streaks.

Grows to 10 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

O. Templetonii, Giinther.

Loreal distinct. One prse and two postoculars. 7 upper labials,
the third and fourth entering the orbit. The sixth is excluded
from the labial margin by the adjoning labials. Head with an
indistinct band through the orbits, and a brown blotch on each
side of the neck. Body bownish with a light vertebral band
more distinct on the tail and crossed by 18 short narrow brown
bands. Belly white with square black spots.

Grows to 10-5 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon.

( 148 )

0. modestus, Giinther.

Loreal none. One prse and one postocular. 6 upper labials, the
third largest, forming the entire lower rim of orbit. Head mark-
ings obscure. Brown spot below the eye very distinct. Colour
greyish brown. A yellow vertebral band more distinct behind.
Belly white with quadrangular black spots.

Grows to 13 inches.

Inhabits. Ceylon (probably).

0. dorsalis, Gray.

Elaps dorsalis, Gray.

Loreal distinct. One prse and one postocular. 7 upper labials,
the third and fourth entering the orbit. Head brown symmetri-
cally marked with darker. A dark spot below the eye. Ros-
tral yellow edged. Nuchal spot small. Body brownish grey
minutely black dotted. A yellow band, two scales broad from the
neck to the tip of the tail, bordered on each side with small black
spots and interrupted on the tail by two or three large black
spots. A narrow black line along either side of trunk. Belly
white with quadrangular black spots, sometimes almost suppress-
ing the ground colour. Tail below white in the centre.

Grows to 16 inches.

Inhabits the Khasi hills (Anderson). (Not Afghanistan.)

O. brevicauda, Giinther.

Only one pair of frontals. Loreal none. One prse, two post-
oculars. 7 upper labials, third and fourth entering the orbit.
Head with the usual markings. Body greyish violet, a pale
vertebral line, becoming pure white posteriorly, and bordered
anteriorly by a series of small equidistant black spots. A black-
ish streak along the third outer series of scales. Belly white
with quadrangular black spots.

Grows to 15 inches.

Inhabits the Anamally hills.

( 149 )

Scales in 17 rows.

0. spinipunctatus, Jan.

Loreal distinct. One prse and two postoculars. 9 upper labials,
the fourth, fifth and sixth entering the orbit. Colour as in
subpunctatus, but with no ventral dots.

Inhabits Bengal. (?)

O. affinis, Giinther.

Loreal none. One prse and two postoculars. 7 upper labials,
the third and fourth entering the orbit. A broad median streak
unites bands on the head. Nuchal band very narrow, crescentic.
Colour brownish grey. Back crossed by 38 short black streaks,
half a scale broad. Belly white with subquadrangular black spots.

Grows to 10'5 inches.

Inhabits the Anamally hills.

SiMOTES, Dumeril et Bihron,

Rostral shield more or less enlarged truncated, bent and
extended backwards. Anterior frontals narrow, transverse.
Nostril between two nasals. Scales smooth. In the Indian
species in 17 or 19 rows. Some from Siam and China in 21.
Maxillary teeth few ; the last, longest. Palatine teeth present.
Head symmetrically ornamented much as Oligadon.

These snakes form a very natural group, but the colouration is
very variable, and the differences whereby species can be discri-
minated are somewhat trivial. The precise separation of some
closely allied species cannot be satisfactorily attempted till a
larger series is available for examination from India and the
countries east of the Bay of Bengal, some of which species are
doubtless local representatives of some of those found in the
Indian region, and races rather than species.

Scales in 17 rows, Anal bifid. Loreal none.

S. albiventer, Giinther.

S. purpurascens var A.
Loreal none, confluent with the hinder frontal. One prge and
two postoculars. 7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering

( 150 )

the orbit. Colour uniform greyish brown above, whitish below.
A dark spot below the eye.

Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 3-5 inches.)

Inhabits Ceylon.

S. venustus, Jerdon.

Loreal none, confluent with hinder frontal, the lower angle of
which touches the second labial. One prse and two postoculars.
7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. The
sixth is excluded by its fellows, from the labial margin. Colour
greyish, or reddish brown, with three rows of black rounded
yellow edged spots, each spot of the vertebral series being
8-shaped and formed of two smaller ones united. The lateral spots
more oblong and irregular. Head with symmetrical markings.
Belly white with quadrangular black spots. Colours nearly
equally checquered.

Grows to 16 inches.

Inhabits Western India.

Scales in 17 rows. Loreal present. Anal bifid.

S. Russellii, Daud.

Coluber arnensis, Shaw.
C. monticolus, Cantor.
Loreal distinct, but sometimes confluent with the hinder front-
al. One prse and two postoculars. 7 upper labials, the third and
fourth entering the orbit. Colour brownish olive with bands on
the head very distinct, and body crossed with white edged black
bars. Belly white. The bars vary from one to three scales
broad, and in number from 17 to 30 or thereabouts.
Grows to 25 inches. (Tail about 5.)

Inhabits the Eastern and Central Himalaya, Bengal, Penin-
sular India and Ceylon.

S. binotatus, D. et B.

Xenodon dubium,, Jerdon.
One pras and two postoculars. 7 upper labials, the third and
fourth entering the orbit. Head with three angular white, black-

( 151 )

edged bands. The first crosses the snout to the lip and passing
below the eye unites with the second band. The third occupies
the neck and occiput, its light portion being heart-shaped. Back
with a double series of brownish grey black edged lozenges, con-
fluent at their internal angles, and a lateral row of smaller spots.
Belly white.

Inhabits North Kanara.

S. cruentatus, Theobald. Lin. Soc, Jour., Vol. X.

Loreal small. Nasals large. One prse and two postoculars.

7 upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Tongue
red. Colour above uniform umber brown, the colour extending
over the ends of the ventrals. Beneath yellowish white with
numerous square black blotches. Tail beneath bright coral red,
black mottled. Head symmetrically marked. Some specimen
have a narrow dark line on each side of the spine and another
lower on the sides. The anal is sometimes bright red, followed
by a black bar.

Grows to 15-25 inches. (Tail 2-25.)
Inhabits Pegu.

Closely allied to the Siamese twniatus, but differs in its single
prreocular, bifid anal, and colouring.

S. semifasciatus, Anderson. J. A. S., B., 1871, p. 16.
Loreal longer than high. Two prse and two postoculars.

8 upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Upper
postocular wedged between the superciliary and the occipital
Anal (?). Colour uniform brown above with 50 obscure, irregu-
lar, narrow, transverse black bands, formed by the black margins
of the scales, not continued on to the second row. Below dull
yellowish with numerous quadrangular black spots, obscure
anteriorly. All the scales minutely brown dotted.

Grows to 85 inches. (Tail 2-3.)

Inhabits the Naga hills.

( 152 )

S. Theobaldi, Giinther. An. & Mag., 1868, Vol. I, p. 417.
Scales in 17 rows. One prse and two postoculars. Loreal much
longer than high. 8 upper labials, fourth and fifth entering the
orbit. Anal bifid. Colour above brown with a light vertical line
commencing on the occiput and dividing the black nuchal spot.
A pair of light lines down the back along the fifth outer row of
scales. Back crossed by numerous narrow reticulated black
streaks. The outer two rows of scales olive coloured. Abdomen
with square black spots.

Scales m 19 rows. Anal entire. Loreal present

S. punctulatus, Giinther.

Coronella puncticulatus, Gray.

Sinotes purpurascens, Oilnther. vars D. and E.

Two prseoculars, equal, and often confluent. Two postoculars.
7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. The
second labial sometimes divided. Belly black blotched. Colour
brown, either crossed by numerous straight light, black edged
bands, about two scales broad, or crossed by irregular lines
formed by the black edges of some scales {as in Oligodon suh-
griseus) or with some 22 pairs of pale black edged spots down
the back, more or less confluent with age, or uniform without
markings.

Grows to 36 inches.

Inhabits the Eastern and Central Himalayas, Assam, the
Khasi and Jyntea Hills.

S. bicatenatus, Giinther.
Two prseoculars, the lower being much smaller than the other.
7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. The
second labial sometimes divided. Ventrals keeled. Colours
variable; uniform brown with a very narrow pale vertebral stripe,
with some indistinct marks caused by the black edges of some
scales. Each ventral with a black marginal dot. Also occurs
pale reddish brown salmon coloured on the sides. A pale verte-
bral stripe, not a scale broad, bordered by a dark band and

( l-'^s )

another below it on the sides. Belly white, salmon red on the
centre. Scuta with marginal dots. Also uniform brick red,
some black edged scales alone showing. Belly yellowish with
ill-defined spots at the ends of the scuta. Head with the usual
symmetrical markings.

Grows to 31-5 inches. (Tail 4.)

Inhabits Pegu and Tenasserim (Theob.), Garo Hills and Cal-
cutta (Anderson).

S. albocinctus, Cantor.

Two or three prseoculars, the upper much the largest. Two
postoculars. 8 upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the
orbit. Colour brown with 18 white dark edged cross bands and
a pair of fine black transverse lines in each interspace. Head
with the usual markings which are pale and dark edged. Ven-
trals alternately marked with quadrangular brown spots.

Inhabits the Khasi hills.

S. amabilis, Gunther. An. & Mag., 1818, Vol. I, p. 416.

Scales in 19 rows. One prse and two postoculars. Loreal square.
7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Anal
entire. Back with forty-one narrow black edged yellow cross
bars, with others less distinct on the tail. Bands one scale broad
or a trifle more. Beneath white with an irregular series of
blackish spots along either side of belly.

Length 10 inches.

Inhabits the Arakan hills.

Family Colubrid^.

Body moderate. Head distinct from the neck. Eye moderate.
Sub-caudals divided. A mental groove.

Group Coronellina. Ground Colubrides.
Colubrine snakes of small size and smooth scales.

Ablabes.

Body cylindrical, somewhat slender. Head distinct from the
neck. Rather depressed, of moderate length. Eye moderate with

u

( 1-^4 )

round pupil. Two nasals usually. One loreal. Scales smooth
in 13, 15 or 17 rows. Anal bifid. Sub-caudals divided. Teeth
small, numerous, equal.

A. tenuiceps, Blyth.

Scales in 13 rows, keeled in males, in the ischiatic region.
Loreal much longer than broad. One prseocular. Two post-
oculars, the upper largest. 6 upper labials, the third and fourth
entering the orbit, the sixth largest. Colour above uniform
blackish ash. Below whitish.

Grows to 14 inches. (Tail 2-).

Inhabits Nipal and Sikkim and North- Western Bengal.

This species presents the keeled ischiatic scales in the male
also seen in Trachischium fuscum a calamarid, whilst this species
having normal head shields ranges under Ahlahes. Both species
were at one time united under Trachischium by Glinther and
seem to represent forms uniting the two families Calamaridse
and ColubridsD.

A. scriptus, Blyth.

Coronella scripta, Blyth.

Scales in 13 rows. Loreal one, much smaller than a postocu-
lar. Prseocular one. Postoculars two, small. 8 upper labials, the
third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Colour above brown.
A few black dots on either side of the spine, anteriorly. A
black mark under the eye, followed by a white upright border,
involving the postoculars. A black bordered white patch on the
last upper labial and a white collar on the nape. Beneath white.

Inhabits Martaban.

A. Rappii, Giinther.

A. Owenii, Giinther.
Scales in 15 rows. Loreal square. One prseocular just reach-
ing the top of the head, two postoculars. The occipital does not
extend down to the lower postocular. 6 upper labials, the third
and fourth entering the orbit. Colour uniform dark bronze
brown, or blackish above, whitish below. In young specimens

( 155 )

the colour is paler and there is a black collar, and vertical black
bars on the sides anteriorly.

Grows to 23 inches. (Tail 5.)

Inhabits the Himalayas from Simla to Dorjiling.

A. olivaceus, Beddome.

Scales in 17 rows. Anterior frontals small. Posterior large,
twice as broad as long, bent downwards on the sides. Nostril in
a shield divided below, but not above. Two small prseoculars.
Two postoculars. 5 upper labials, the third forming the lower
edge of the orbit. Colour dark greenish olive, paler below. A
series of distant small black dots along each side of the back
with another less distinct lower down on the side.

Grows to 20 5 inches. (Tail 4.)

Inhabits Marrantoddy in the Nilghiri hills.

The nasal of this species is aberrant and quite that of Psam-
mophis condanurus.

A. Sagittarius, Cantor.

Scales in 17 rows. One prsBOCular. The occipital extends
laterally to the lower postocular. 7 upper labials, the third and
fourth entering the orbit (the second sometimes divided). Colour
reddish or greyish olive, darker on the sides, the paler colour-
ation of the back being bordered by a blackish line. A verte-
bral series of black dots. Head brown above. A broad black or
dark brown collar edged with yellow. Belly white with a black
dot on the end of each ventral. During life the belly is of a
citrine colour with a blue lateral band.

Grows to 12 inches. (Tail 2.)

Inhabits Pinang, Tirhut, and Kangra valley.

A. bistrigatus, Gunther. An. & Mag., N. H., 18G8, p. 416 ;

Theobald. Jour., Lin. Soc, Vol. X.

Closely allied to Humherti in all particulars and in possessing

two posterior temporals instead of one. Colour: Head black

emittins; a distinct black band on either side continued to the

tip of the tail. Two yellow spots on the nape. A yellow dot

( 156 )

on each occipital and some yellow marks about the head. A
chain of black spots on the neck, continued as a line of black
dots to the tip of the tail. Back ruddy brown, the red tinge
fading posteriorly. Sides greyish. Belly yellow. Body 7'80.
Tail 300 = 10-80.

Taken at Prome. The above description taken from life differs
slightly from Dr. GUnther's taken after the animal had been a
year or more in spirit.

A. Humberti, Jan.

Calamoria sagittaria, Jerdon (not Cantor).
Enicognathus Humberti, Jan.
Scales in 17 rows. One prseocular. Two postoculars. The
occipital extends laterally to the lower postocular, 10 upper
labials, the fourth, fifth and sixth entering the orbit. The
eighth is excluded by its fellows from the labial margin. Colour
reddish olive, darker on the sides, the pale colouration of the
back being bordered by an indistinct punctated line. A verte-
bral series of yellow edged black dots. Upper part of the head
brown. A dark yellow edged collar. Belly white. Ventrals
with a black dot at each end.
Grows to 17"5 inches. (Tail 4.)
Inhabits Peninsular India and Ceylon.

A. coUaris, Gray.

Psammophis collaris, Gray.
Scales in 17 rows. Loreal rather longer than high. One
prseocular. Two postoculars. The occipital does not reach
down to the lower postocular. 10 upper labials, the fourth, fifth,
and sixth entering the orbit. Colour brown above, white below,
A vertebral series of black spots, anteriorly. A narrow black
band between the eyes and another across the back of the occi-
pitals. A black collar yellow margined behind on the nape,
from the ends of which a black line runs through the eye to the
nostrils. Frontals, vertical, and superciliaries, with a central
black spot and two on the rostral. Ventrals with a black

( 1-^7 )

splash on either end, and anteriorly a pair of median dots also.
Lips black spotted.

Grows to 32 inches. (Tail 10.)

Rancres from Simla to the Khasi, Garo and Jyntea hills and
round to the Arakan range (Nioungjo), and Upper Burmah and
Yunan.

A. Nikobariensis, Stol. J. A. S., 1870, p. 184.

Preefrontals broader than long, half the size of the posterior.
Vertical sub-trigonal, large, with a very short point in front and
rapidly contracting behind, larger than the superciliaries. Each
occipital one-fourth larger than the vertical, and extending to
the lower postocular. Loreal and postnasal united. Prseocular
one, large, squarish. Postoculars two, small. Upper labials 7,
the third and fourth entering the orbit. Posterior labials divi-
ded in two. The first pair of labials form a suture followed by
two pair of sub-equal chin shields, Anterior half of body red-
dish brown above, posterior blackish grey. Head above black-
ish. The three first labials with yellow spots. A short yellow
streak from the eye to the gape. A black collar, yellow mar-
gined with an interrupted yellow band, more distinct before.
An undulating row of dark dorsal spots. Sides grey marbled,
rounded above with a line of closely set black spots, then dusky.
Below yellowish with a red tinge. Yentrals black spotted.

Grows to 17-50 inches. (Tail 4-50.)

Inhabits Kamorta (Nikobars).

Cyclophis, Gilnther.

Form rather slender. One nasal shield pierced by the nostrib
Rarely two nasals. Scales smooth in 15 rows. Eye moderate
with round pupil.

C. frsenatus, Gunther.

C. monticola, Blyth (not Gunther).
Rostral broader than high. Prsefrontals much broader than
long, sub-quadrangular, not quite half as large as the post-
frontals. One prseocular. Two postoculars. Loreal square

( 158 )

7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Anal
bifid. Crown of the head and back uniform olive. A broad
black band begins behind the eye, gradually narrowing and dis-
appearing at less than half the length. A dark streak runs from
the throat along the outer edges of the ventrals, of equal length
with the last. Below uniform yellowish.

Grows to 27 inches. (Tail.)

Inhabits the Khasi hills and Mesopotamia.

C. calamaria, Glinther.

Kostral shield as high as broad. Prgefrontals rather broader
than long. Postfrontals much broader than long. Loreal shield
none, united with the nasal. One prseocular. Two postoculars.
7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Anal
bifid. Colour brownish grey above, each scale with two minute
indistinct brown streaks at the base. The scales on each side of
the back black edged, forming small irregular spots more or less
confluent posteriorly. Below white. In very young specimens
a black bar crosses the occipitals.

Grows to 14 inches. (Tail 4.)

Inhabits Ceylon.

C. nasalis, Giinther.

Very like calamaria, but has two prseoculars. Colour greyish
olive above. A slightly curved black streak on each side of the
neck, followed by a series of black spots, confluent with a band
running along the edges of the fifth and sixth outer rows of
scales, disappearing on the tail. A dark line disappearing ante-
riorly marks the edges of the third and fourth outer rows of
scales. Below whitish.

Grows to 16 inches. (Tail 4.)

Inhabits India.

C. monticola, Cantor.
Kostral shield narrow, much higher tlian broad. Prefrontals
twice as broad as long and one-third as large as the postfrontals.
Nostril an oblique slit directed forwards in a single nasal plate

( 1-^0 )

which is not much larger than the loreal. Loreal oblong rather
larger than the single pnTeocular. Two subequal postoculars.
6 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit, the last
as larcre as the fourth a.nd fifth. Anal bifid. Colour olive brown
with a bright yellow collar, and a whitish vertebral line. Below
citrine yellow.

Inhabits the Naga hills.

C. catenatus, Theob. J. A. S., B., 1868. Extra No. p. 49.

Prseocular one. Postoculars two, the lowest very minute.
Loreal small. 6 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the
orbit. Anal entire. Colour yellowish brown, many scales black
spotted, forming obscure lines down the body. Belly yellowish
white, each ventral with a terminal black dot, forming a conspi-
cuous chain down each side of belly.

Inhabits the Western Himalayas near Simla.

C. rubriventer, Jerdon. P. A. S., B., March 1870, p. 80.

The nasal large, posteriorly obliquely slit to its edge. One
prseocular. Two postoculars. 6 upper labials, the three last sub-
equal. Colour brown with a pale lateral band from the eye to
the tip of the tail and below it a mottled brown and yellow band.
Chin, throat, and neck yellow, the rest of the lower parts red.

Inhabits the Khasi hills.

C. Oldhami, Theob.

ChloropJiis Oldhami, Theob. J. A. S., B., 1868. Extra

No. p. 50.
Nasals two. Prseocular one. Postoculars two. Loreal elon-
gate. 8 upper labials, regularly increasing in size, the fourth and
fifth enter the orbit. Chin shields two pairs, in contact with six
labials. Second lower labial very small. Colour above uniform
bronze brown (in spirit).

Inhabits the Western Himalayas near Simla.
On account of its divided nasals, I had originally ranged
this snake under a separate genus, but as Jerdon has since
described a species with a pm^tly divided nasal, I think it better
to retain it as an aberrant form of Cyclophis.

. ( 160 )

Odontomus, Dumeril et Bihron.

Form slender, strongly compressed. Scales smooth in 13 or
15 rows. Ventrals angularly bent on the sides. Nostrils in a
single shield divided by a more or less distinct suture. Two
prasoculars, the lower sometimes united to the loreal. Maxillary
and palatine teeth sub-equal, none grooved. The anterior
mandibular teeth but little enlarged. Eye moderate. Pupil
round.

O. nympha, Daud.

Rostral nearly twice as broad as high. Prsefrontals sub-quad-
rangular, more than half as large as the post-frontals. Post-
frontals broader than long. Nasal sub-divided. The loreal gen-
erally united with the lower prseocular. 8 upper labials, the third
and fourth entering the orbit. Scales with an apical groove.
Anal bifid. Colour white with 38 rounded broad brown bands,
each about thrice as broad as the interspace. The first band
occupies the head, the second the neck, with a white collar inter-
vening. Head sometimes entirely yellowish.

Grows to 17 inches. (Tail 3-5.)

Inhabits Southern India, Vellore.

O. semifasciatus, Glinther,

Rostral somewhat broader than high. Praefrontals sub-quad-
rangular more than half as large as the postfrontal. Nasal
sub-divided, the suture under the nostril being very indistinct.
Loreal longer than high. Two equal prseoculars. Two postocu-
lars. 7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit.
Scales with an apical groove. Anal bifid. Colour white, with
50 rounded dark brown bands, each twice as broad as the inter-
space. The first pair separated by a collar as in nympha.

Inhabits ?

O. gracilis, Gunther.
Rostral twice as broad as high. Praefrontals quadrangular,
two-thirds the size of the postfrontals. Two nasals. Loreal
united with the lower praeocular. Upper prseocular small. Two

( 161 )

postoculars. Scales without apical groove, 8 upper labials, the
fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Colour white with 38 broad
round dark brown cross bands, twice or thrice as broad as the
interspace. Interspace marked with brown. Collar as in nym-
pha. Below white.

Grows to 21 inches. (Tail 4.)

Inhabits the Anamallay hills, Waltair, &c.

CoRONELLA, Lauventi.

Form cylindrical not compressed. Eye moderately large with
round pupil. Two pairs of frontals. Two nasals. One loreal.
One prseocular. Scales smooth. Sub-caudals bifid.

C. orientalis, Giinther.

Rostral rather broader than high. Frontals of moderate size.
Vertical not quite twice as long as broad, with lateral margins
parallel and with a pointed posterior end, Occipitals not much
larger than the vertical. Loreal square. Two postoculars, the
lower between the eye, and the fifth and sixth labials. 8 upper
labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Anal bifid.
Scales in 17 rows, without apical grooves. Colour greyish
brown. Two indistinct narrow dark lateral streaks on either
^ide posteriorly, coalescing on the tail, A very narrow white
collar on the neck. Belly white, with sub-quadrangular black-
ish spots.

Grows to 11 inches, (Tail 2,)

Inhabits the Dekkan. (Col, Sykes,)

Nymphophidium, Giinther.

Characters of odontomus, but the three last maxillary teeth
very strong and trenchant. Two bony prominences project
through the mucous membrane of the mouth, one behind the
other.

N. maculatum, Giinther.
Rostral rather broader than high. Prfefrontals quadrangular,
obliquely truncated in front, more than half as large as the post-

w

( 162 )

frontals. Nostril between two small nasals indistinctly separated
by a suture. Loreal long, entering the orbit, below a small prae-
ocular. Two postoculars. 7 upper labials, the third and fourth
entering the orbit. Anal entire. The three last maxillary teeth
very strong and trenchant. Two obtusely conical white 'promi-
nences on the base of the skull not covered by the mucous mem-
brane of the mouth. Colour light brown, with two dorsal
rows of rounded dark brown spots, confluent anteriorly, and
decreasing towg,rds the tail. Sides brown spotted. Below
whitish.

Grows to 12 inches. (Tail 275.)

Inhabits India (?). (General Hardwicke's collection.)

A single specimen only is known. The functional office of
the curious bony prominences in this and the following genus
would seem to be to ensure the fracture, during deglution of any
birds eggs the animals may have found. The utility of such an
adaptation is undoubted, as Giinther records having found the
uninjured eggs of parrots in the stomach of a Dipsas.

Elachistodon, Reinhardt.

Scales smooth in 15 rows. Those of the vertebral series
enlarged. Nasals two. Pupil round. Loreal enters the orbit,
beneath a small prseocular. Gular and cesophageal teeth formed
hy the projection through the mucous lining of the oesophagus, of
the elongated inferior processes of the hinder cervical vertebrae.

S. Westermanni, Rein.

Two postoculars. 7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering
the orbit. Anal entire. Colour brown above with a yellowish
vertebral stripe. A yellow band from the snout over the head
on either side to the temporals and gape. An angular yellowish
cross band on the neck. Below yellowish.

Grows to 31 inches. (Tail 45.)

Inhabits Rangpur.

( 163. )

Group Colubriua. True Golubrides.
Snakes of moderate or large size, fairly proportioned, being
neither very slender, stout or flattened. Teeth generally sub-
equal and scales keeled.

Cadmus, Theobald.

Head thick cuneiform. Body stout. Scales smooth in 27
rows. Anal bifid. Eye moderate. Pupil round.

C. cuneiformis, Theob. (J. A. S., B., 1868, Extra No. p. 58.)
Rostral large, running well back on the top of the head and
encroaching between the prsefrontals. Nostril between two
nasals. Prsefrontals very small. Postfrontals large. Loreal
small, triangular with apex between prse and postfrontals. Prse-
ocular one, large. Postoculars three. 7 upper labials, only the
fourth enters the orbit. Head high, shelving in front, pointed,
stout, and cuneform. A large pair of chin shields in contact
with five labials, followed by a small pair. Colour yellowish
olive brown. An obsolete band of spots on either side of the
spine, and below, a second strongly defined band of black spots,
many of them like an open horseshoe, four scales apart. Below
dusky white with an elongate dusky streaky spot at the side at
every fourth or fifth ventral.
Recorded as from Simla.

Coluber, Linnceus.

Form rounded above. Tail one-fifth or less of total length.
Eye moderate with round pupil. Nasals two. One praBocular.
Ventrals not keeled. Anal bifid.

C. porphyraceus, Cantor

Psammophis porphyraceus, Cantor.

Coronella callicephalus, Gray.

Scales smooth, without apical groove, in 19 rows. Lorea;!

longer than high. One prseocular in contact with the vertical.

Two small postoculars. 8 upper labials, the fourth and fifth

entering the orbit. Anal bifid. Ventrals scarcely extending up

( 164 )

on the sides. Colour brownish olive, with 22 very broad dark,
black edged cross bands. A narrow black streak commences,
behind the middle of the trunk and runs along each side of the
back to the tip of the tail. A median black streak on the crown
A black streak from the orbit to the first cross band. Belly
whitish. In the young the cross bands are black, white edged,
and reach to the belly.

Grows to 29 inches. (Tail 5-.5.) ;

Inhabits Assam, Dorjiling, the Khasi hiUs, Yunan.

C. Nuthalli, Theob. J. A. S, B., 1868, Extra No., p. 51.

Scales smooth in 23 rows. Nostril small, between two large
nasals. Praeocular one, very large, touching the vertical. Post-
oculars two, small. Loreal small longer than broad. 9 upper
labials, the fifth and sixth entering the orbit. On one side a
small piece of the fourth is detached and enters the orbit,
Superciliaries very large, almost equalling the vertical. Colour
reddish grey with four rows of elongate rhomboidal intensely
black spots, each enclosing a pale ocellus. These spots disappear
posteriorly and on the tail are replaced by four deep brown
bands, two broad upper ones and two narrow lower ones, separ-
ated by narrow white bands. An oval black spot from the eye
to the gape.

Inhabits Peoru.

^o"

CoMPSOSOMA, Dumeril et Bihron.

Form elongate, compressed. Eye moderate with round pupil.
Scales keeled, with apical grooves. Prseocular usually one. Anal
usually entire.

C. semifasciatum, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1861, p. 114
Scales smooth in 19 rows, each with two minute apical
grooves. Head distinct from neck, large and remarkably
depressed. Rostral broad below, deeply indented, Praefrontals
two-thirds the size of the postfrontals. Nostril between two
rather large nasals. Loreal with the lower hind angle pointed.
Two prfeoculars, the upper touching the vertical, the lower

( 165 )

small, being really only a detached portion of the third labial,
Postoculars two, the upper the largest. 9 upper labials, the fifth
and sixth entering the orbit. Anal bifid. Colour above pale
olive grey, transversely dark barred and spotted. A horseshoe
mark with the ends directed backwards on the occipitals. A
pale elongate lateral ocellus on each occipital. Ventrals with a
marginal black dot anteriorly, markings become obsolete posteri-
orly. Belly whitish or with a slight dusky tinge.

Inhabits the North- Western Himalayas, Simla and Subathu,

C. melanurum, Schl.

Scales keeled in 19 rows. Rostral broader than high, Prse-
frontals not quite half as large as the postfrontals. One prgeocular.
Two postoculars, sometimes confluent. 9 upper labials, the fourth,
fifth and sixth entering the orbit. Anal entire. Colour ante-
riorly brownish, passing posteriorly into black. A yellow verte-
bral band broadly edged with black on the anterior part of body
behind the neck. A short black vertical streak below the eye
Another from the orbit to the gape. A third runs obliquely from
the temporal region to the edge of the belly ending in about five
distant black blotches. Belly yellow before, black behind.
Markings more distinct and developed in young specimens.

Grows to 65 inches. (Tail 14'5.)

Inhabits the Malayan archipelago, the Andamans, &c.

C. radiatum.
Scales keeled in 19 rows. Rostral broader than high. Prge-
frontals not quite half as large as the postfrontals. Loreal longer
than high. One prseocular extending nearly to the vertical.
Two postoculars. 9 upper labials, the fourth, fifth, and sixth
entering the orbit. Anal entire. Colour pale, but rich red
brown. Interstitial skin of the neck lavender. Of the anterior
part of the body black, with white reticulations, passing into
plumbeous and pale grey towards the tail. Three inches from
the head (in a 73 inch male), four black stripes commence
abruptly, two on each side, and taper ofi" to about the centre of
the body. The pale vertebral interspace covers four scales, the

( 166 )

uppermost stripe three, the lower stripe one, with an interspace
of two scales from the upper. Sides of the body dark slaty
extending to the belly. Middle of belly white clouded with
slaty. Beneath tail, yellowish. Eye grey. Pupil black nar-
rowly margined with gold.

Grows to 73 inches. (Tail 14.)

Inhabits Sikkim, the Khasi hills, Assam, Pegu, Tenasserim,
and the Malayan Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, &c.

When enraged this snake contracts its neck vertically, pre-
paratory to striking, thereby displaying its finely coloured
interstitial skin. It is called the ' rat snake ' in Pegu, from fre-
quenting houses in search of rats.

C. reticulare. Cantor.

Scales keeled in 21 rows (19). Rostral as high as broad.
Prsefrontals nearly half as large as postfrontals. Loreal longer
than high. One prseocular, an additional small prseocular some-
times detached from the fourth labial. Two postoculars, the
upper sometimes united with the superciliary. 8 upper labials, the
fourth, fifth, and sixth entering the orbit. Anal entire (bifid
once in 20). Colour blackish brown. Behind black with numer-
ous narrow whitish cross bands, more distinct posteriorly.
Bands sometimes indistinct or form only reticulated spots. Belly
yellowish marbled with black, sometimes wholly black. Some-
times an indistinct pale lateral band. In this species some of the
cephalic shields are always united.

Grows to 46 inches. (Tail 9.)

Inhabits the Himalaya Mountains, the Khasi and Garo
hills, &c.

C. Hodgsonii, Gunther.
Scales in 23 rows, those on the back feebly keeled, with two
apical grooves. Rostral as high as broad. Prsefrontals half as
large as postfrontals. Loreal longer than high, sometimes con-
fluent with the frontal. One large praeocular. Two postoculars.
8 upper labials, three of which enter the orbit, but two or three
are often confluent. Anal bifid. Colour uniform brownish

( 1C7 )

olive. Skin and margin of some scales, black. Lower parts
yellowish. Some of tlie ventrals blackish near their base and
ends.

Grows to 63i inches. (Tail ISS.)

Inhabits the Western Himalayas and Nipal.

Cynophis, Gray.

Form somewhat slender and compressed. Eye moderate.
Pupil round. Nasals two. One prseocular. Scales slightly
keeled or with a pair of apical grooves in 25 to 27 rows. Anal
entire.

C. Malabaricus, Jerdon. J. A. S., B., 1854, p. 530.

Rostral as high as broad. Prsefrontals broader than long, one-
third the size of the postfrontals. Loreal longer than high, irre-
gularly quadrangular. One prseocular sometimes touching the
vertical. Two postoculars. 9 upper labials, the fourth, fifth, and
sixth entering the orbit. Scales smooth in 25 rows, Avith a pair
of apical grooves. Colour light brownish olive with some 22
black cross bands, less than one-half as broad as the interspaces
and disappearing posteriorly, each band enclosing six white
ocelli. Each band terminates in two black lines on each side
which come down to the ventrals to meet the similar lines of
each adjoining band on either side. The first band forms a white
black edged collar. A broad brown band runs along the hinder
part of the trunk and the tail. A short black vertical streak
below the eye, and another behind the eye along the suture of
the seventh and eighth labials.

Grows to 15 inches. (Tail 3.)

Inhabits Malabar (Jerdon), Anamallay hills (Beddome), the
Nilghiri hills, &c.

C. Helena, Daud.

Head narrow. Snout long obtusely rounded. Rostral broader

than high. Prsefrontals small, a third or fourth of the size of

the postfrontals. Loreal longer than high. One prseocular,

generally touching the vertical. Two postoculars. 9 upper labials,

( 168 )

the fifth and sixth and sometimes the fourth entering the orbit.
The fourth labial sometimes divided. Scales very slightly-
keeled in 27 rows. Colour reddish olive with numerous reticu-
lated black transverse bands anteriorly, each of which encloses
two white ocelli on either side, one above the other. Posteriorly
these ocelli are replaced by a broad lateral brown band running
to the tip of the tail. Neck with a pair of parallel longitudinal
black bands above, and with an oblique black band on the side.
A black line along the occipital suture, and another oblique one
from the eye along the seventh labial. Lower parts white.

Grows to 42 inches. (Tail 8.)

Inhabits Ceylon and Southern and Central India.

Ptyas, Fitzinger.

Form elongate, scarcely compressed. Eye large. Pupil round.
Nasals two. Anal bifid. Scales smooth or partly keeled in 15
to 17 rows.

' P. hexagonotus, Cantor.

Xenelophis hexahonotus, Cantor {QuntJier, gen)
Body and tail hardly compressed. Prsefrontals as long as
broad, more than half the size of the postfrontals. Loreal one
quadi angular, rather longer than high with its hinder angle
wedged between the prseoculars. Prseoculars two, the upper
largest. Three postoculars, the lower equalling the other two.
8 upper labials, the fourth entering the orbit. The fifth small
equal to the first. Anal bifid. Scales smooth without apical
grooves, the vertebral row enlarged, hexagonal. Brown with
black cross bands in the young. Belly yellowish.
' Grows to 62 inches. (Tail 26.)
Inhabits Arakan, the Malayan Peninsula, &c.

P. mucosas, L.
' Body and tail scarcely compressed, Prsefrontals nearly half
as large as tlie postfrontals. Loreals three, one above, two below.
(A Ceylon specimen, GUnther says had one only). Two prae-
oculars, the lower small. Two postoculars. 8 upper labials, the

( 1G9 )

fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Anal bifid. Scales in 17
rows (on neck in 19). The vertebral series rather enlarged. A
pair of apical grooves. Scales on the back usually keeled in 7
rows. Keels often faint or absent. Colour light brownish
olive. The scales with dusky margins, more deeply edged pos-
teriorly, producing a reticulated appearance, on the hind part of
body and tail. Shields of the head black margined.

Grows to 91 inches. (Tail 25) Blanford.

Inhabits Peninsular India and Ceylon, Arakan, Pegu and
Tenasserim, Upper Barmah, Yunan, the Andamans, and the
Malayan Archipelago.

P. korros, Rein.

Very like mucosus, but scales smooth in 15 rows. Vertebrals
not enlarged. A pair of apical grooves. Scales faintly keeled
posteriorly. Loreals two, one behind the other. Two prseoculars,
the lower small. Two postoculars. 8 upper labials, the fourth
and fifth entering the orbit. Colouration as in the last.

Grows to 86 inches. (Tail 28). Another specimen 70 inches.
(Tail 25.)

Inhabits Sikkim, Assam, Arakan, Pegu and Tenasserim, the
Malayan Archipelago, and Southern China.

mucosas and korros are closely allied, so that it is not some-
times easy to decide to which a specimen belongs, korros how-
ever seems to have a more restricted rano;e to the westward.

o

Zamenis, Wagler.

Form elongate. Head distinct from neck, flat. Eye moderate
with round pupil. Nostril between two nasals. The shields of
the head exhibit a tendency to sub-division. Loreal one. Gener-
ally two, prte and two postoculars. Eye sometimes in contact
with detached pieces of the upper labials. Scales smooth or
faintly keeled. Ventrals with a very indistinct lateral keel.

Z. ventrimaculatus, Gray.

Coluber diadema, Blyth {not Schl).
Gonyosoma dorsale Anderson. P. Z. S., 1872, p. 395.
Prsefrontals nearly as large as postfrontals. Occipitals trun-
cated behind, with a small semicircular shield following. Loreal

X

( 170 )

quadrangular. Two prseoculars, the lower small, the upper
touching the vertical. Two postoculars. 9 upper labials, the fifth
and sixth entering the orbit. Scales ovate, smooth, without
apical grooves, in 19 rows. Anal bifid. Colour yellowish olive
with distinct narrow black cross bars on the back, each half as
wide as the interspace. A lateral row of small black spots.
Belly yellowish with an irregular row of black dots on each side.
A black band between the eyes, an oblique streak below them,
another on the temples, A dark loreal spot and black median
line on the neck.

Grows to 50 inches.

Inhabits India, probably Western ; and Mesopotamia.

Z. gracilis, Giinther.

Prjefrontals half as large as postfrontals. Occipitals rounded
behind. Loreal square. Two prseoculars, the lower small, the
upper in contact with the vertical. Two postoculars. 9 upper
labials, the fifth and sixth entering the orbit. Scales elongate,
narrow, smooth in 21 rows, some with a pair of indistinct apical
grooves. Anal bifid. Ventrals faintly keeled at the sides.
Colour yellowish olive with a single row anteriorly of large
brown round spots, edged with black, the spots gradually dis-
appearing, their black edges remaining as cross bars, posteriorly,
and spots on the tail. A black streak across the snout. A brown
black edged bar between and below the eyes and another across
the occipitals. An irregular series of black spots on each side of
the belly, which is yellow.

Grows to 33 inches. (Tail 10.)

Inhabits Synd and the Dekkan.

Z. fascidatus, Shaw.

Coluber hehe, Baud.
C. Gurvirostris, Cantor.
Tyria fasciolata, Cope.
Rostral broader than high, protruding. Prtefrontals more than
half as large as postfrontals. Loreal square. A large prgeocular
in contact with the vertical, usually a minute prseocular, below

( 171 )

detached from the third labial. Two postoculars. 8 upper labials,
the fourth and tifth entering the orbit, the fifth highest. Scales
elongate, smooth with a pair of apical grooves in 21 or 23 rows.
Anal bifid. Colour during life, olive green above, almost uniform
in adults, or with numerous transverse white bars, one scale
broad edged posteriorly with dark brown on the anterior
part of the body, branched and reticulated on the sides. Below
greenish white.

Grows to 41 inches. (Tail 9.)

Inhabits Southern India, Bengal, and Province Wellesley.

Z. brachyurus, Giinther. An. & Mag., N. H., 1866, Vol. p. 27.

Habit of a small dromicus. Eye small. Prsefrontals half as
large as postfrontals. Occipitals rounded behind. Loreal
square. One prseocular touching the vertical. Two postoculars.
8 upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Scales
elonofate, smooth in 23 rows. Anal entire. Scuta 225 not
keeled. Caudals 46. Colour alive uniform olivaceous above
and whitish below (Blanford). The type (in spirits) displayed
irregular brown spots on the head and fore part of trunk, ranged
in longitudinal series and narrowly edged with yellow. Ante-
rior ventrals brownish, edged behind with yellow.

Grows to 21-5 inches. (Tail 3.)

Inhabits Punah and South-East Berar.

Z, diadema, Schl.

Feriops parallelus, Jan. et Sor.
Prsefrontals rather larger than postfrontals, which are separated
from the vertical by a transverse row of four small shields,
Loreals three or four. One prseocular reaching to, or nearly to
the vertical. A row of small shields below and behind the orbit.
Upper labials small about 14, Scales ovate, keeled in 27, 29
rows. Anal entire. Ventrals keeled at the sides. Colour yel-
lowish olive with a dorsal series of round brown spots and a
double row of short brown longitudinal streaks along each side.
Shields of snout brown spotted. A brown cross band between the
orbits continued to the gape. A horse-shoe band on the occipitals.

( 172 )

Grows to 60 inches. (One of 36 inches had a tail of 8.)
Inhabits Afghanistan (Giiuther), Synd and the North-West of
India.

Zaoccys, Cope.

Form elongate, compressed. Head distinct from neck. Eye
large. Pupil round. Two prseoculars. Two postoculars. Scales
in 14 or 16 rows. The median rows keeled.

Z. nigromarginatus, Blyth.

Coryphodon dhumnades apud Jan. et Sor., No. 24, pi. 4.

Loreal longer than high. 8 upper labials, the fourth and fifth
entering the orbit. Scales elongate, acutely pointed, in 16 rows,
the four middle rows keeled. Anal bifid. Colour green above,
paler below. Two broad deep black bands commencing one-
third from the head and running on either side to end of tail.
The upper bands are separated by the two half scales of the
median row.

Grows to 96 inches. (Tail 27.)

Inhabits Nipal, Sikkim and the Khasi hills.

Herpetoreas, Gunther.

Form compressed. Head elongate, rounded before, flat above.
Eye moderate. Pupil round. Nasals two. One prseocular.
Two postoculars. Scales slightly keeled in 19 rows. Ventrals
strongly bent up at the sides. Anal bifid.

H. Sieboldii, Giinther.
Rostral broader than high and rounded superiorly. The prse-
frontals pentagonal and one-half (or rather more) as large as
postfrontals, which are bent down at the side. Nostril between
two largish nasals. One loreal, smaller than a nasal. Prseocular
one, large, but does not touch the vertical, and with a minute
shield beneath it in some specimens detached from the third
labial. Postoculars two, small. 8 upper labials, the third, fourth
and fifth (or sometimes the fourth and fifth only) enter the orbit.
Scales in 19 rows slightly keeled on the back. Anal bifid. Colour
uniform greenish brown, below yellowish, or with a black band

( 173 )

down each side of the back, separated by five scales, and a lower
narrower band, separated by two scales from the last. A black
streak from the eye to gape.

Grows to 37 inches. (Tail 9 or longer.)

Inhabits Sikkim.

Giinther described from a single specimen. A second from
which I have taken some details of colouration was in the pos-
session of A. Grote, Esq., and another in the Museum of the
Asiatic Society, Bengal. (See Catalogue, J. A. S., B., 1868,
p. 54.)

Tropidonotus, Kulil.

Head distinct from the neck. Eye moderate. Pupil round.
Nostril lateral between two plates. Shields of head regular.
Loreal one. Anal bifid. Scales generally keeled, usually 17 — 19
rows, sometimes more.

T. punctulatus, Giinther.

Eye large. Prseocular one. Postoculars three. Prsefrontals
small and pointed. 9 upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering
the orbit. Scales smooth in 15 rows (on the neck in 17).
Colour very variable. Adult males above dark umber, beneath
white, the two colours sharply separated. Upper labials white.
A dark line down each side formed by the dark tips of the ven-
trals and the hind part of each lowest row of scales. Adult
females light brown, much mottled with yellow, which some-
times predominates.

Inhabits Pegu.

T. zebrinus, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1855, p. 295.

One prseocular, three postoculars. Labial plates with a trian-
gular black spot at the upper junction of each pair. Colour
above plumbeous, obscurely black spotted. The sides and under
parts yellowish white, the former throughout banded with black,
each band with a white spot above. Two or three distinct black
bands across the nape. Described from a young specimen of
10*4 inches.

Inhabits Mergui.

( 174 )

T. platyceps, Blyth.

Zainenis Himalaymius, Stein,

Head rather depressed, distinct from the neck. One prse-
ocular (sometimes divided). Two postoculars. 8 upper labials,
the third, fourth, and fifth entering the orbit. Scales in 19 rows,
feebly keeled in the males. Smooth or with the median rows
only faintly keeled in the females. Colour in males above dark
brown, with a long elliptical mark on the neck, and two rows of
small blackish spots along the back anteriorly. Below yellowish,
finely mottled with dusky green, and a distinct blackish band on
each side. A coral red band along the ends of the ventrals. In
females the colours and marks are less distinct.

Grows to 30 inches. (Tail 8-5.)

Inhabits Kashmir, Kulu, Nipal, Sikkim, and the Khasi hills.

T. macrops, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1855, p. 296.
T. Tnacro'phthahnus, Gunther.
T. SlkJdmensis, Anderson. J. A. S., B., 1871, p. 17.

Eye large. Prsefrontals obtusely rounded in front. One prse-
ocular. Three postoculars. Loreal large. 8 upper labials, the
fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Scales keeled in 17 rows,
(19 on the neck), transversely disposed on the neck as in Naja.
Colour brown, uniform or with a dorsal series of reddish brown
spots. Neck with an indistinct arrow-mark. Belly anteriorly
marked with large quadrangular brown spots, posteriorly and
under the tail, clouded with brown. Neck sometimes greenish
and body with black and yellow reticulations. {SikJcimensis.)

Grows to 39 inches. (Tail 7.)

Inhabits Sikkim and the Khasi hills.

Dr. Stoliczka has demonstrated the identity of both Macroph-
thalmus and SikJcimensis with this snake, this last form being
often more lively coloured than the type.

T. angusticeps, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1855, p. 295.
Head narrow, hardly broader than the neck. Prsoorbitals two,
three or four. Postorbitals four or five. Scales keeled in 17
rows. Colour above plumbeous, uniformly spotted with black

( 175 )

throughout. Below whitish, posteriorly variegated with black.
A V mark on the iiabe with its point towards the occiput.

Grows to 41 inches. (Tail 8"5.)

Inhabits Assam and Arakan.

T. nigrocinctus, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1856, p. 717.

The penultimate and preceding labial very large. Scales
keeled in 17 rows. Colour reddish brown passing into greenish
on the neck and head. A black stripe beneath and another
behind the eye to the gape, and a broad black patch on either
side of the neck. A yellow collar sometimes present on the neck.
Along the back numerous narrow black cross bars (50), not well
defined. Below white dusky towards the tail, the posterior ven-
trals being gradually more broadly dark margined posteriorly.

Grows to 26-5 inches. (Tail 6"5.)

Inhabits Pegu and Tenasserim,

"to"

T. quincunciatus, Schl.

T. piscator, Jerdon. J. A. S., B,
T. wmbratus, Cantor.
T. Tytleri, Blyth.

T. striolatus, Blyth. Apud Theobald,
Coluber niortuarius, Baud. (GUnther, An. & Mag.,
1872, Vol. IX, p. 27). '

Nostrils valvular, indicative of its essentially aquatic habits.
Prsefrontals pointed. One prseocular. Three or four postoculars,
Loreal large, square. 9 upper labials, the fourth and fifth enter-
ing the orbit. Scales keeled, in 19 rows. Colouration variable.
Above, some shade of greyish, brownish or greenish olive with
from three to seven rows of black spots down the body in quin-
cuncial order. Some specimens are ornamented with red spots
on the sides, with dark bars between, these bars being best
marked in the young. In others the black spots have dissolved
into a asterisk of black lines with yellow dots intermixed. An
oblique black streak crosses the temples and eighth labial and
another the lower postocular and the suture of the sixth and

( 176 )

seventh labials. Belly white, the ventrals dusky margined in
front. Feeds on fish and frogs.

Grows to 51 inches. (Tail 11-5.)

Inhabits Peninsular India, Ceylon, Assam, Arakan, Pegu,
Tenasserim, the Andamans, and the Malay countries, Mesopotamia
and Southern China.

T. junceus. Cantor.

T. dipsas, Blytk J. A. S., B., 1855, p. 297 & 716.

Head narrow, distinct from the neck. Eye rather large.
Prsefrontals truncated in front, half as large as the postfrontals.
One pr?eocular. Three narrow postoculars. 9 low upper labials, the
fourth, fifth and sixth entering the orbit. Scales keeled in 19
rows. Colour greyish olive, with a row of well defined whitish
spots along each side of the back. Belly white. Ventrals and
sub-caudals with a marginal dot. Lips and throat gamboge. A
gamboge streak from the gape to the nape forming an acute
angle.

Grows to 27 inches. (Tail 7-3.)

Inhabits Sikkim, Assam, Pinang, &c.

T. Beddomei, GUnther.

Spilotes vittatus,Beddome. Mad. Q. J., Med. Sci., Vol. V.

Head moderate. Eye rather large. Prsefrontals obtusely
rounded in front half as large as postfrontals. Occipitals nearly
as long as vertical and postfrontals. Loreal square. One prse-
ocular. Three postoculars. 9 upper labials, the fourth, fifth and
sixth entering the orbit. Scales strongly keeled, in 19 rows.
Colour brown. A row of short transverse streaks of orano;e,
along either side of back. A narrow yellow cross bar behind the
occipitals. Labials edged with black. A yellowish, black edged
band from the eye to the gape. Belly white, its sides and the
sub-caudals dotted with brown.

Inhabits the Nilghiri hills.

&

T. bellulus, Stoliczka.
Form slender, body a little compressed. Prefrontals smaller,
but a triple longer than postfrontals. Occipitals very large.

( 177 )

Nasals large. One narrow prgeocular. Three postoculars. 9
upper labials, the fourth, fifth and sixth entering the orbit.
Scales narrow, sharply keeled, in 19 rows. Colour olive brown,
with two longitudinal series of black dots along the back. Sides
of neck yellow barred, on a black skin. A yellow black edged
spot on each occipital, and a third on their suture behind. Prse
and postoculars bright yellow. Upper labials greenish yellow,
black edged behind. Below greenish white. Ventrals and sub-
caudals black edged.

Inhabits the Pegu range, west of Tonghu.

T. subminiatus. Rein.

One prseocular. Three postoculars. Loreal square. 8 upper
labials, the third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Scales
keeled in 19 rows. Colour olive brown, passing into yellowish
green on the neck and head. Interstitial skin of neck bright
vermilion (seasonal). Body anteriorly handsomely reticulated
with black and yellow. The colours equally bright in both
sexes. A black collar yellow margined behind, in young spe-
cimens.

Grows to 42 inches. (Tail 10*5.)

Inhabits Sykkim, the Khasi hills, Assam, Pegu, Arakan, Yunan,
Tenasserim, Java, &c.

T. stolatus, L.

Prsefrontals pointed in front, One prseocular. Three (rarely
four) postoculars. Loreal square. 8 upper labials, the third,
fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Scales keeled in 19 rows.
Colour brownish olive with numerous reticulated cross bars,
intersected by two very pale buft' or stone colour longitudinal
dorsal bands. Seasonally the head, neck and sides are deeply
suffused with vermilion.

The colouration of this snake is not easy to describe, the
longitudinal bands being perhaps its most prominent feature, ]>ut
the pattern of ornamentation is decidedly reticulate, often
brightly set off with red and yellow.

Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 12.)

( 178 )

It is called ' Halhallia' in Bengal, and is one of the commonest
snakes in the country.

T. monticola, Jerdon.

Form slender. Head narrow. Eye large. Prsefrontals truncated
in front, half as large as postfrontals. One prseocular. Three
narrow postoculars, Loreal large square. 8 upper labials, the
third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Scales keeled in 19
rows. Colour green, with 28 black bands across the trunk, each
band broken into three spots by two longitudinal bands of the
ground colour, a white dot marking the points of intersection.
The first cross-band occupies the occiput and is white-edged in
front. A pair of white dots between the eyes and a black dot
on the suture between the fifth and sixth upper labials. Below
white.

Inhabits the Wynaad.

T. Himalayanus, Glinther.

Prsefrontals truncated in front, half as large as postfrontals.
Loreal square. One prseocular. Three postoculars. 8 upper
labials (sometimes 9), the fourth and fifth entering the orbit.
Scales strongly keeled in 19 rows. Colour brownish olive above,
with two dorsal rows of numerous small quadrangular transverse
yellow spots, more distinct posteriorly. A bright orange yellow
collar on the neck, behind which the trunk is reticulated Avitb
yellow fading posteriorly into white. Chin and throat yellow.
Belly clouded with brownish, passing posteriorly into blackish
brown throughout.

Grows to 81 inches. (Tail 8.)

Inhabits Nipal and Sykkim.

T. Ceylonensis, Giinther.
Prsefrontals obtusely rounded in front, half as large as
postfrontals. Loreal square. Two prseoculars, nearly equal.
Three narrow postoculars. 8 low upper labials, the fourth and
fifth entering the orbit. Colour brownish olive above. A row of
about 20 yellow ocelli edged with black along each side of the

( 179 )

body ; the black edges expanding into bands reaching to the belly
below and over the back to the occelli on the other side. Belly
yellowish, greyish behind. A broad black band stretches from the
eye to the gape, and is continued along the side. This species is
closely allied to T. chvysargus from Java.
Inhabits Ceylon.

T. plumbicolor, Cantor,

Xenodon viridis, D. et B.

Ampldesma bracJiyurum. Jan. No. 29, PI. 3.

Form stout. Prsefrontals more than half the size of post-
frontals. Two prse and- three postoculars. 7 upper labials, the
third and fourth entering the orbit. Scales in 23, 25 or 27 rows.
Colour dirty greenish, below whitish, a blackish band on each side
of the neck. In the young, a broad yellow collar pointed in
front and forked behind with a similar black band in front. An
oblique black streak behind the eye, and ten or more narrow
black cross-bars on the body. Sides of throat black dotted, and
beUy more or less blackish.

Grows to 25 inches. (Tail 3.)

Inhabits Southern, Central and North-Western India, Ceylon
and Bengal (as far east as Sahibganj),

Atretium, Cope.

Body somewhat stout. Eye moderate. Pupil round. A
single triangular prsefrontal. Two nasals, with the nostril in the
upper part of the suture. Scales rhombic, keeled in 19 rows.
Anal bifid.

A. schistosum, Daud.
Prsefrontal as large as a postfrontal. Loreal higher than long.
One prseocular. Three postoculars. 8 upper labials, the third
and fourth entering the orbit (when 9 labials, the fourth and
fifth enter the orbit). Scales in 19 rows. Those of the dorsal
region keeled. Colour above very dark blackish olive. The
labials, two outer rows of scales and the lower parts uniform

( 180 )

yellowish. Young specimens with a dark stripe from the orbit
along the anterior part of the body.

Grows to 25 inches or more. Tail 3 inches.

Inhabits Ceylon, Southern India, Bengal and the Malayan
Peninsula.

Xenochrophis, Gilnther.

Body stout. Pupil round. Nostril in the upper part of a
single plate. Scales keeled in 19 rows. Anal bifid.

X. cerasogaster. Cantor.

Head narrow elongate. All the shields of the upper part are
elongate. Prsefrontals rather pointed in front, not much smaller
than the postfrontals. Nasal quadrangular, entire, pierced in the
middle of its length by the nostril. Loreal large. One
prfeocular. Three postoculars, the lowest largest, sometimes
divided. 9 upper labials, the fourth entering the orbit. Colour
above brown, sometimes uniform, sometimes a pair of light
dorsal bands, with or without indistinct dark quadrangular spots.
Lower parts cherry red, dark marbled or wholly black. A bright
yellow lateral .band from the snout to the top of tail. Occiput
with sometimes a pair of yellow spots.

Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 6.) •

Inhabits Bengal, Assam, the Khasi hills.

Giinther describes the colour as purple below, but I prefer to
follow the indication afforded by the specific epithet as probably
based on observation of a fresh specimen.

Gerarda, Gray.

A single anterior frontal. Loreal square. Scales smooth,
rhombic in 17 rows. Superciliary small. Eye over the fourth
labial. Tail conical. Caudals divided.

G. bicolor, Gray.
Colour muddy olive. Lips (except rostral which is dark), chin
and a lateral stripe 21, scales broad, whitish. Belly pale, scuta
dark edged.

( 181 )

A male captured at Rangoon measured : body ll'OO, tail
1-50-12-50.

Inhabits Pegu (Theobald) (not the West Indies, as stated in
the British Museum Catalogue of Snakes, 1849, p. 77) and
Ceylon (Furguson). i

Cantoeia, Gerard.
Body long and slender. Head not distinct from the neck.
Anterior frontal single. One loreal. Eye small and surrounded
by a circle of orbital plates. Scales smooth in 19 rows.

C. Dayana, Stol. J. A. S., 1870, p. 208.

Rostral pentagonal, broad, deeply indented below, very nar-
row above with concave sides. Anterior frontal almost linear,
touches the rostral and scarcely longer than the two large elon-
gate quadrangular nasals. Five high upper labials, the suture of
the third and fourth being below, but not entering the orbit.
One narrow and high prseocular, and two postoculars, the lower
joining the prteocular. Anal bifid.

Colour above dull yellow, with numerous bluish black bands
with interspaces narrow above, wider below. Head dark on the
top, with a yellow band across the posterior frontals, and a few
yeUow spots on occipitals and vertical.

Bellow pale yellow with a dusky greenish tinge along the
centre of belly.

Length 30- 50 inches. (Tail 3-5.)

Inhabits Estuaries of Pegu (mouth of Maulmein River).

FoRDONiA, Gray.

Body stout, cylindrical. Head depressed, not distinct from
neck. One anterior frontal. Eye small, with vertical pupil.
Scales smooth in 25 to 29 rows.

F. bicolor, Theobald. Jour, Lin. Soc, Vol. X.
Scales in 25 rows. Occipitals large. One prseocular. Two
postoculars. Anterior frontal small. Loreal none. Upper
labials 5. Eye over the fifth.

( 182 )

Colour yellowish grey, dark spotted. Sides and belly white,
colours distinctly separated.

Inhabits Pegu (Rangun).

I separate this from the next which has not yet been record-
ed from India, as in Gray's description (Viperine Snakes, p. 77)
he describes the occipitals as small. Giinther does not mention
them or the loreal either, and there is also the difference in the
upper labial which enters the orbit. Still the two are closely
allied. My type was a young one of 1075 inches. (Tail 1'25.)

F. unicolor. Gray.

Hemiodontus chalyhceus Jan. Canest. Arch, Zool., Ill,
p. 264.
Scales in 25, 27, or rarely in 29 rows. Anterior frontal much
longer than broad, rather smaller than a posterior frontal. Five
laro-e upper labials, the third entering the orbit. One prseocular.
Two postoculars. Colour above uniform dark ash. Beneath
whitish, which involves the three outer rows of scales.
Grows to 25 inches. (Tail 3 inches.)
Inhabits Pinang.

Hypsirhina, Wagler.

Habit moderate, with rather depressed head, and tail com-
pressed at the root in males. A single praefrontal. Nostril in a
single shield divided externally by a groove. Eye small, with
round pupil. Scales smooth in 19 to 23 rows.

H. plumbea, Boie,

H. Hardwickii, Gray.
Head distinct from neck. Habit stout. Praefrontal as large
as a postfrontal. Loreal higher than long. One prseocular. Two
postoculars. 8 upper labials, the eye over the fourth, the fifth
excluded from the orbit (or nearly so). Colour brown with a well
defined dark edged yellow stripe. Sometimes a row of black
dorsal spots. Belly pale grey with a central dark cateniform
stripe, formed by a dark dot in the middle of each ventral. A
narrow dark line along the ends of the ventrals and another
down the suture of the subcaudals.

( 183 )

Grows to 21 inches. (Tail 275.)

Inhabits Pegu and Upper Barmah, also Java, Borneo, Celebes,
Formosa, Southern China, Pachebone and the Malayan Penin-
sula.

H. enhydris, Schn,

Homalopsis aer, Boie.

H. olivaceus and enhydris, Cantor.

Hypsirhina fiircata hilineata and trilineata, Gray.

Form slender or stout ; variable. Head rather elongate and
subtriangular, distinct from neck. Prsefrontal much broader
than long. Loreal squarish. One pr?eocular. Two postoculars.
8 upper labials, the fourth entering the orbit. Colour variable.

Above dark hair brown, olive tinted, and with a blue iri-
descence. Down each side from the occipitals to the end of the
tail a pale stripe, margined above and below with a dark line.
Sides and belly yellowish white. Along each side a supra-
abdominal stripe of pale salmon red. Scuta and scutella dark
edged, giving rise to two lateral lines and a median one below
the tail.

Grows to 28 inches. (Tail 5-50.)

Inhabits Bengal, Southern India, Pegu, Tenasserim, the
Malayan Peninsula, Borneo, Java, &c.

Cantor says a female he had for six months in confinement
produced eleven young ones alive. A female however killed
by me in March near Rangoon contained six eggs (the rest
having been probably laid), so that additional observations are
desirable to determine if there is no error in one of the above
statements. Can Cantor's specimen have been the nearly allied
H. Jagorii described from Siam, which mainly differs from the
present in having 128 ventrals only in place of 160 or there-
abouts ?

Ferania, Gray.

Habit stout. Head short. Nostil in a single plate externally
divided by a groove. Two very small prtefrontals. Eye small,
with vertical pupil. Scales smooth in 29 rows.

( 184 )

F. Sieboldii, Schl.

Feranoides Jamnwticus, Carlleyle. Jas. XXXVIII;,

p, 196.
Hypsirhina Bocourti. Jan. et Sor. No. 28, pi. 5, f. 2,
Head rather distinct from neck. Tail short. One prseocular.
Two postoculars. 8 upper labials, the fourth entering the orbit.
13 lower labials, the sixth the largest, the last five very small.
Colour pale brown, with over thirty large brown black edged
spots, with narrow interspaces down the back, and on either
side a row of triangular dark brown spots alternating with the
last. Belly and sides yellow, the former black chequered.
Grows to 25 inches. (Tail 4.)

Inhabits Bengal (Ganges and Jumna), Pegu, Province Welles-
ley.

HiPiSTES, Gray.

Head short, distinct from the neck. Body stoutish. Tail
short, compressed. Eye very small, directed upwards. Pupil
vertical. Nostril in a single shield with a groove externally.
Nasals separated by a narrow prsefrontal. Scales smooth in 39
rows. Ventral sharply keeled.

H. hydrinus, Cantor.

Hipistes fasciatus, Gray.
Bitia hydroides, Gray.
Prtefrontals cuneiform, much longer than broad. Postfrontals
very small, hexagonal. Two pairs of small occipitals with a
small central shield. Loreal large. One preeocular, which docs
not touch the vertical. Two postoculars, the lower largest and
touching the pr£eoculars. 7 upper labials, the fourth being below
the suture between the prse and postoculars. Colour greenish
yellow above, broadly barred with blackish grey. 44 — 58 bars
as broad as the interspaces, but not reaching to the belly. Sides
and belly white, or yellowish.

Grows to 21-5. (Tail IS), Anderson. (19-3. Tail 2-2, GUn-

ther).

Inhabits mouths of rivers and coast of Pegu, Pinang, &c.

( 185 )

This species has quite the colouration of a Hydrophis, though
probably an estuary rather than an open sea species. It is how-
ever largely captured in company with great numbers of Hydro-
phis in the sluice nets (or creels) in the Bassein river below
Gnaputau.

Cerberus, Cuvier.

Body cylindrical. Tail rather compressed. Head high. Eye
small with vertical pupil. Snout only, shielded, the occiput
scaly. Nostril between two nasals, the anterior being largest
and forming a suture. Anterior frontals small triangular. Eye
surrounded by a ring of small orbitals.' Scales keeled in from
21 to 25 rows.

C. rhynchops.

Loreal as large as a postocular. One pr?eocular (sometimes
divided). Two postoculars. One infraocular. Upper labials 9
or 12. The fifth below the infraocular and the last five small.
Colour above blackish ash, slightly greenish, with irregular black
cross-bars. The two or three outer rows of scales yellowish.
Labials black spotted.

Grows to four feet, though specimens more than 3 feet are rare.
Tail one-fifth of length.

Inhabits the coasts of India and Barmah, and the Malayan
Peninsula, the Andaman and Nikobar Islands.

HoMALOPSis, Gilnther.

Habit stout. Head depressed, triangular, distinct from neck.
Eye small with vertical pupil. Nostril in a single nasal divided
by a groove from the nostril outwards. Anterior frontal small
(rarely divided). Eye surrounded by a ring of small orbitals.
Posterior upper labials transversely divided into two or three.
Scales striated and keeled in 37 to 47 rows.

H. buccata, L.

H. (Pythonia) semizonata, Blyth.
Anterior frontal broader than long, smaller than a postfrontal.
Loreal longer than high, sometimes divided. One or two

( 186 )

prseoculars. Two postoculars. Infraocular very narrow. Upper
labials high, the fifth or sixth below the infraocular. Colour
brownish olive, with narrow greyish black-edged cross-bars. A
brown triangular patch on the snout, a roundish spot on each
side of occiput, an oblique streak from the prseocular to the neck.
Belly and some of the outer rows of scales yellowish. Usually
a row of black spots along the sides of belly.

Grows to 42 inches. (Tail 10.)

The head shields of this species are subject to great irregu-
larity. A specimen taken by me in Pegu had 5 frontals. It
was 25 inches long. Colour a rich brown with 34 sharply
defined whitish bars across the back, and the head symmetri-
cally marked with black.

Inhabits Pegu, Tenasserim, the Malayan Peninsula and Java,

Family Acrochordid^.

Habit moderate. Body covered with small wartlike not
imbricate scales. Tail prehensile.

Chersydrus, Cuvier.

. Tail vertically compressed. Scales tubercular in over 100
rows. One row of scales on either side of the median line of
the belly, spinous, forming a double serrated ventral keel.

C granulatus, Schn.

Acrochordus fasiatus, Shaw.

Colour above dark grey, the colour descending in regular
stripes to the belly, where it fades. Belly yellow, ascending in
regular stripes to the back, the pale and dark stripes alternating
regularly, though occasionally forming annuli.

Grows to 37 inches. (Tail 375.)

Inhabits mouths of rivers and the coast of Pegu, Southern
India, the Malayan Peninsula, New Guinea, Philippines, &c.
This species is very numerous in the Bassein river below Gnapu-
tau and seems to connect HydropMs with the Homalopsidoe,
being wholly aquatic, as its flattened tail shows. The embryos
according to Cantor are over 10 inches long.

( 187 )

Family PsAMMOPHiDiE.
Head very distinct from the neck, with the loreal region
concave. Scales smooth in 15 to 19 rows. Subcaudals divided.
One prreocular. Two postoculars. One of the anterior maxil-
lary teeth longer than the rest.

PsAMMOPHis, Boie.
Head rather long and pointed. Superciliaries prominent.
Anal bifid. Pupil round.

P. condanarus, Merr.
P. taniata, Gths.
Leplophis Bellii, Jerdon.
P. Indicus, Beddome.
Phayrea Isahellina, Theob.

One prseocular not reaching to the vertical. Nasal single ;
oblong reaching to the top of the head, pierced somewhat pos-
teriorly by a moderate nostril, with an oblique s]it to the first
labial. 8 upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit.
Scales smooth in 17 rows. The abdominal row larger than the
rest. Colour buff or yellowish. Isabelline brown (the colour
of the dirty smock of Isabella the " catholic") with a dark
stripe, two broad scales down either side of the back from head
to tail, and a broader dark stripe on either side of the belly.
Belly yellowish, the colours being strongly contrasted, the lower
edge of the dark side stripe passing through the middle of the
abdominal row of scales.

Grows to 40 inches. (Tail 85 or more.)

Inhabits the Punjab, the NuUay Mullay hills, Pegu.

Dr. Giinther describes the nostrils as between tim nasals, hence
my inability to refer my Pegu specimens correctly, till I had
examined the types in the British Museum. Strangely enough,
I was unable to satisfy myself of there being two nasals in the
specimens I there saw, though another gentleman, attached to
the establishment, in the most obliging manner confirmed the
description of Dr. Giinther to my face. A very well qualified
observer however. Dr. Stoliczka thus writes on this point —

( 188 )

" The nostril is, in all specimens which I have examined, in one
long shield. It is situated almost centrally, and a distinct slit
divides the lower portion of the nasal, but the upper is entire,
though generally" a faint groove extends from the nostril to the
upper margin of the shield." J. A. S., B., part II, 1870, p. 196,

P. Leithii, Giinther. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 505, pi. 39.

Habit of condanarus. Prsefrontals small. Postfrontals longer
than broad. 8 upper labials, fourth and fifth entering the orbit.
One prseocular which reaches to the vertical. Scales in 17 rows.
Anal entire. Colour light reddish olive with four brown black
edged longitudinal bands. The two dorsal ones running to the
end of the snout along the occipital and superciliary shields. A
narrow brown median line along the vertical shield and occipital
suture. The belly and lower half of last row of scales white.

Grows to 26' 50 inches.

Inhabits Synd.

Stoliczka suggests if this is more than a var of the last. J. A.
S., B., 1871, part II, p. 439.

PsAMMODYNASTES, GuntJier.

Head short ; lips swollen anteriorly. Loreal region concave ;
superciliaries prominent. Prsefrontals very small. Nasal single.
Anal entire. Pupil erect. Scales smooth in 17 rows, without
apical groove. Viviparous. Anterior teeth long, fang-like.

P. pulverulentus, Boie.

Lycodon Bairdi, Stein. Nov. Rep., p. 90.

Di2Jsas ferruginea, Cantor.
Prse and postfrontals small. Superciliaries larger than the
vertical. Two prteoculars, the upper large, the lower very
small. Two postoculars. 8 upper labials, the third, fourth, and
fifth entering the orbit. Colour uniform dark umber brown,
with some irregular light reddish patches down the back, and
some black spots. Head symmetrically marked. Throat, belly,
and tail brown, chest yellowish. Body bordered below with
orange. Throat white spotted and each alternate ventral

( 189 )

white dotted at the ends. Iris brown, pupil black, narrowly
edged with gold.

Another specimen was uniform ochraceous, with a few indis-
tinct blackish marks along the back. Below bright yellow, with
two filiform dotted streaks of deep reddish brown along the
sides. Anderson says the former dark colouration is that of
females, and the light peculiar to males.

Grows to 21 inches. (Tail 4-5.)

Inhabits the Khasi and Jyntea hills, Sykkim, Assam, Pegu,
Tenasserim (Java, Sumatra, and the Philippines).

Family Dendrophid^.

Form compressed, slender, elongate. Head narrow, depressed,
distinct from- the slender neck. Snout obtuse. Eye moderate
or large with round pupil. Scales narrow, imbricate. Ventrals
keeled.

GoNYOSOKA, Wagler.

One prseocular. Two postoculars. Loreal sometimes absent,
otherwise head shields regular. Scales smooth or very faintly
keeled. Anal bifid. Teeth sub-equal, none grooved.

G. oxycephalum, Boie.

Alopecoiolds chalyhceus, Gray.

Coluber prasinus, Blyth. J. A. S., B., XXIII, p. 291.

Prsefrontals as broad as long, one-third the size of the post-
frontals. Loreal very elongate. One large prseocular in contact
with the vertical. Two postoculars, the lower smallest. Scales
in 2.5 rows, smooth with a pair of apical grooves. 11 upper
labials, the fifth and sixth, or sixth and seventh entering the
orbit. Colour uniform grass green, pale below. A dark . -eal
streak.

Grows to 90 inches. (Tail 24.)

Inhabits Assam, Tenasserim, the Andamans, the Malayan
Archipelago, &c.

( 190 )

G. gramineum, Guntlier.

Prsefrontals broader than long, half as large as the postfrontals,
Loreal square. Prseocular does not touch the vertical. Two
postoculars. Scales in 19 rows, smooth, with a pair of apical
grooves. 9 upper labials, the fourth, fifth, and sixth entering the
orbit. Colour green, paler below. Tail behind reddish olive.

Inhabits the Khasi hills.

G. frsenatum. Gray.

Prsefrontals narrow in front, nearly half as large as the post-
frontals. Postfrontal in contact with the second and third labials.
Loreal none. Scales in 19 rows, the dorsal series faintly keeled.
9 low upper labials, the fourth, fifth, and sixth entering the
orbit. Colour grass green, paler below. A dark loreal streak.

Inhabits the Khasi and Garo Hills.

Dendrophis, Boie.
Form very slender. Snout obtuse in front. Eye large with
round pupil. Two nasals. Scales smooth in 13 — 15 rows. The
vertebral series enlarged, triangular or polygonal, the others nar-
row, imbricate. Ventrals keeled.

D. pictus, Giinther.

Coluber decorus, Shaw.
Leptophis, maniar, Bell.
AhcetuUa Bellii, Gray.
Dendrophis Boie; Cantor.
One prseocular. Two or three postoculars. Loreal elongate.
Anal bifid. Scales smooth in 15 rows, the vertebral row consi-
derably enlai'ged. Colour above bronze brown with a black edged
yellow band along either side. Lower parts white or yellowish.
Grows to 48 inches. (Tail 14.)

Inhabits Bengal, Central India, Sykkim, Assam, Pegu, the
Andamans, the Malayan Peninsula, &c.

Chrysopelea, Boie.
Characters of Dendrophis, but the vertebrals are less enlarged.
The ventrals more sharply keeled, almost trifid — and a posterior
tooth is enlarged and grooved.

( 191 )

C. ornata, Shaw.

G. faradisi, Boie.
G. Hasseltii, Bleeker,
Scales smooth in 17 rows, with a pair of apical grooves ;
broader on the back than on the sides. Colour black with bright
gamboge spots. Head barred with yellow. Sometimes the back
is tinged with red, or has a series of red rosettes down it.
Grows to 53 inches. (Tail 13.)

Inhabits Bengal, Assam, the Khasi Hills, Pegu, Tenasserim, &c.
The principal food of this snake are the Geckotidoe.

Family Dryiop HiDiE.
Form excessively slender. Head narrow, elongate, pointed.
Scales narrow, imbricate, in 15 to 17 rows.

Teagops, Wagler.
Snout pointed. Pupil horizontal. Nostril in a single nasal
shield. Scales smooth or faintly keeled.

T. Perroteti, D. et B.

Leptophis Kanariensis, Jerdon. J. A. S., B., 1855, p. 530.
Dryiophis tropidococcyx, Giinther.
Rostral higher than broad, with the upper margin reverted.
Prsefrontals small, in contact with the first and second labials.
One-third the size of the postfrontals which touch the second labial.
Nasal narrow, pointed behind, pierced by the nostril posteriorly.
Loreal none. One praeocular in contact with the vertical. One
postocular. Scales in 15 rows, keeled in the coccygeal region.
8 upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Colour
uniform grass green, yellowish below. A yellow lateral streak.
Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 5"5.)
Inhabits North Kanara, the Nilghiri Hills, &c.

T. prasinus. Rein.

Dryinus nasutus, Bell.
Tragops nasutus, Wagler.
T. xanthozonius, Russell.
Rostral flat, subcrescentic sharply ridged above. Frontals
longer than broad. Nasal simple, pierced by the nostril

( 192 )

posteriorly. One to three loreals. Prseocular one, joins the verti-
cal. Postoculars two. Scales smooth in 15 rows, the vertebral
series enlarged. 9 upper labials, the fourth, j&fth and sixth enter-
ing the orbit. Colour light green, sometimes yellowish, or more
rarely brown. A white or yellow line runs along the edge of
the belly — occasionally a pale grey, or greyish ochre. The
interstitial skin chequered with oblique short black and white
bars. Grows to 84 inches. An adult male 71o0 inches- (Tail
24-5.) Female 39-95 inches. (Tail 12-55.) This contained 10
eggs.

Inhabits the Eastern Himalayas, Sykkim, Kachar, the Naga,
Jaintea, and Khasi Hills, Pegu and Tenasserim.

T. dispar, Giinther.

Rostral rather flat, longer than broad, with its upper margin
reflexed. Prjefrontals much longer than broad, in contact with
the second labial. Postfrontals longer than broad, do not touch
any labials. Nasals very narrow, pierced posteriorly by the
nostril. Loreal small. Prseocular one, touching the vertical.
Two postoculars. Scales smooth in 15 rows. 8 upper labials,
the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. The fourth is trans-
versely divided.

Colour bright green in males, bronze brown in females. A
yellow line along the sides of the belly.

Inhabits the Anamallay Hills.

T. fronticinctus, Giinther.

Viviparous. Rostral small, oblique, flat, semi-circular. Nasal
very elongate, separates the rostral from the prsefrontals (simu-
lating an addition frontal). Frontal much longer than broad.
Two loreals. One to three prseoculars reaching the vertical.
Scales of back keeled, in 15 rows. 7 or 8 upper labials. Of the
anterior ones horizontally divided. The sixth under the orbit.

Colour bright green, yellowish below, and with a black line
margined above with yellow along the sides of the belly (query
males?). A female was bronze brown when alive, belly dark
ruddy brown, with a black lateral line with a broader creamy

( 193 )

upper border. Measured 84 inches (Tail 12), and contained seven
foeti, each six inches long. Taken in a mangrove swamp on the
Arakan Coast.

Grows to 86 inches. (Tail 10'5) query in males ?

Inhabits mangrove swamps on the Arakan Coast and freely
seeks refuge when attacked in the water.

T, Javanicus, Stein.

Allied to T. 'prasinus. Scales smooth in 15 rows.

Anal single. Upper labials 9. The fifth and sixth upper labials
only entering the orbit. The fifth upper labial nearly as large as
the sixth and broad, whereas in prasinus it is very narrow. The
second, third and fourth upper labials much smaller than in
prasinus. Loreals 3. Prseocular very large, hollowed out, and
in contact with the postfrontal, the vertical and the superciliary.
Postoculars 2, small. Ventral not keeled.

Colour green, with 4 white longitudinal stripes on the belly.

Inhabits Java and Pegu. (Vide An. & Mag., N. H., 1868,
Vol. I, p. 424.)

Passerita, Gray.

Body and tail very slender. Head depressed, elongate. Snout
pointed and ending in a flexible appendage. Loreal region
deeply concave. Eye moderate. Pupil horizontal. Nostril
small, lateral, in the hinder part of a single shield. Scales
smooth, elongate, in 15 rows. Vertebrals enlarged. Ventrals not
keeled. Anal bifid.

P. mycterizans, L.

Dryinus nasutus, Merr.

Dry inns fuscus, D. et B.

Loreal none, replaced by the frontals, which are bent down to

meet the labials. One prseocular. Two postoculars. Two labials

from the lower edge of orbit. Colour bright grass green, lighter

on the belly. A yellow lateral line along the belly on each

side. Occasionally a brown variety occurs. (D. fuscus.)

Grows to 72 inches. (Tail 25.) The Ceylon race seems to

remain one-third smaller than this.

A 2

( 194 )

Inhabits Bengal, Central and Southern India, Ceylon, the
Khasi Hills, Upper Barma and Pegu (Northern).

P. purpurascens, Gunther.

Resembles myderizans, but the nasal appendage is verrucose
on its upper surface, and it has no lateral streak.

Colour brownish gray, marked with pui-ple and dotted
with brown above and below. The shields of the upper surface
of the head are brown with yellowish edges. A brown band
from the snout through the eye to the throat.

Grows to 48 inches. (Tail 18.)

Inhabits Ceylon (Gunther), Maunbhum (Anderson).

Family Dipsadid^.

Body elongate, compressed. Head short, sub-triangular, dis-
tinct from neck. Eye large. Pupil vertical. Scales smooth.

DiPSAS.

Scales smooth, those of the vertebral row enlarged. Posterior
maxillary tooth grooved.

D. multimaculata, Schl,

Body strongly compressed. Scales in 17 to 19 rows, with an
apical groove. Anal entire. Loreal higher than long. One
prseocular. Two postoculars. 8 upper labials, the third, fourth
and fifth entering the orbit. Colour pale reddish olive with a
series of round brown spots, pale within and bordered without
with white, and down each side of spine with a row of smaller and
less distinct spots along the side. Head symmetrically marked.

Grows to 35 inches. (Tail 7'0.)

Inhabits Pegu, Tenasserim, the Malayan Peninsula, Siam,
Pinang, Java, Celebes, and, according to Gunther, China and Bengal.
The last locality, however, I doubt, and it requries strong confirm-
ation. This is a common species in Pegu, and the handsomest of
the genus, I think.

( 195 )

D. Barnesii, Gunther. P. Z. S., 1869, p. 506, pi 40, f. 2.
Scales in 19 rows, Loreal as high as long. Praeoculars three,
the upper not reaching the vertical. Postoculars two. . Upper
labials eight, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Temporals
numerous, scale-like. Anal entire. Colour dark grey, finely-
powdered with brown. Irregular brown band-like markings on
the back, and irregular black spots along the lower part of the
side. Belly finely mottled with brown. Head dark brown, with
a dark streak from eye to gape.

Length 23 inches.
Inhabits Ceylon.

D. hexagonota, Blyth (Stol. J. A. S., 1870, p. 198, pi. XI,
f. 4, and 1871, p. 421.

Body compressed. Scales in 17 to 21 rows, according to
age, with an apical groove. Anal bifid. Head very large.
Loreal squarish, narrow above and higher than long. One large
prseocular, not touching the vertical. Two postoculars, the lower
a little smaller than the other. 8 upper labials, third, fourth
and fifth entering the orbit. Eye very large and prominent.
Colour coral red on back and sides. Head with a greenish
smaragdine tinge. A black dot on the occipitals, and sometimes
the vertical or a median streak on its anterior portion. Some-
times a short lateral streak on each occipital. Upper labials and
below white. Body above marked by very numerous transverse
slightly undulating blackish bands as broad as their interspaces
and reaching to the ventrals. These bands disappear with age
and the colour tones down to a reddish brown with a pinkish,
yellowish or blackish interstitial skin.

Grows to 45 inches. (Tail 9"3.)

Inhabits Dorjiling Hills to 4,000, and the Andaman Islands,
Bengal, &c.

Anderson (Proc, Zoo. Soc. for Feb. 1871) is inclined to refer
to this species multifasciata, Blyth, but Stoliczka (J. A. S., 1871,
p. 440) points out that the eye of multifasciata is much smaller
and that it ranges rather with D. Forsteni of the Indian Fauna

( 196 )

proper than with the Malayan species D. huhalina, hoops, or
hexagonota.

D. ochracea, Theob. Jour, Lin. Soc, Vol. X.

Body slender, compressed. Scales on body in 17 rows (on
neck 19, and towards tail 15 rows). Upper labials 9, the fourth,
fifth and sixth entering the orbit. The pupil over the suture of
fifth and sixth. The fifth small, the sixth, seventh and eighth
very large. Colour uniform dusky grey or ochraceous, beneath
whitish.

Grows to 35 inches. (Tail 7*5.)

Inhabits Pegu and Martaban.

Two specimens very similar in size and appearance were
procured by me in Rangun and Moulmein.

D. trigonata, Boie.

Scales in 21 (rarely in 19) rows. Nostril small, rounded.
Loreal squarish. One prseocular. Two postoculars. 8 upper
labials, the fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Colour yellowish
olive, with an irregular yellowish black edged zig-zag band along
the back. Crown of the head with two dark bands edged with
black, convergent behind. An indistinct band from the eye to
the gape. Belly white, with an irregular row of brown dots on
the end of the scuta.

Grows to 86 inches. (Tail 9.)

Inhabits Southern India, Bengal, the Western Himalayas.

Giinther considers that Ceylonensis is the island representa-
tive of this species, but this is hardly so, as Ceylonensis ranges
also to the Himalayas.

D. Ceylonensis, Giinther.
D. multifasciata, Blyth,
Scales in 19 to 21 rows, some displaying a " very minute sub-
apical groove " (Stol.) Anal entire. Head shields as in trigo-
nata, but the head slightly more elongate. Colour above light
brown, with a dorsal series of irregular black spots on the neck,
double and obliquely dispersed on the body. The sides marked

( 197 )

with short black bands alternating with the spots, and a supra-
abdominal row of black dots corresponding with the dorsal spots.
Head above marked with black, with two ill-defined bars on the
occipitals. A median dark line on the neck and one from the
eye across the gape. Belly greenish white, minutely speckled
with black and an irregular dark dot on the end of each ventral.

Grows to S9-5 inches. (Tail 7-5.)

Inhabits Ceylon and Western Himalayas, Subathu, Simla, &;c.

D. bubalina, Klein.

Triglyphodon cyanewn, D. et B.
D. nigroTYiarginata, Blyth. J. A. S., XXIII, p. 294.
Scales in 21 rows, with a single apical groove. Anal entire.
Loreal rather higher than long. One prseocular. Two post-
oculars. 8 upper labials, the third, fourth, and fifth entering the
orbit. Colour above bluish green, below yellowish white, green-
ish posteriorly. A faint whitish line runs a little above the end
of the ventrals, becoming obsolete on the tail. Interstitial skin
of head and neck black, of the body only faintly.
Grows to 53 inches. (Tail 14.)
Inhabits Assam, Kachar, Dorjiling.

D. gokool.

Scales in 21 rows. Nostril moderate, round. One prpeocular
(sometimes divided). Two postoculars. 8 upper labials, the
third, fourth, and fifth of which enter the orbit. Colour yellow-
ish brown. A black-edged arrow-shaped mark on the head longi-
tudinally divided by a yellow line. A roundish black spot on
the nape. A black streak from eye to gape. A straight yellow
vertebral line, and down either side of body a row of some 50
black erect Y-shaped marks. Belly yellowish with an irregular
series of brown spots along each side.

Grows to 33 inches. (Tail 7.)

Inhabits Bengal, Assam (Anderson), Pinang. A rare species.

D. boops.
Body very slender and compressed. Nostril round, wide. Scales
in 21 rows. Loreal rather higher than long. One prseocular

( 198 )

nearly reaching to the vertical. Two postoculars. 8 low upper
labials, the third, fourth, and fifth entering the orbit, and very-
low. Colour reddish olive, dotted and spotted with brown and
black, in longitudinal and transverse rows. A row of white
spots along either side of belly, a black spot below each white
one. Head symmetrically ornamented with white-edged black
spots. Belly marbled with purple and brown dotted.

Grows to 57 inches. (Tail 15.)

Inhabits Bengal ? (Hardwicke's collection), and Borneo
(Labuan).

A rare species, very doubtfully Indian,

D. Forsteni, D. et B.

Scales in 25 to 27 rows, with a broad apical groove. Anal
entire. Nostril rounded just below the prsefrontal, the hinder
margin of the posterior nasal swollen, forming a ridge. Loreal
squarish. One prseocular. Two postoculars. 9 upper labials, the
third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit. The third some-
times divided. Colour brownish olive. Many scales, black, at the
base, forming descending transverse bands, rather broken below
into spots. A median black line along the occiput and nape. A
short black band on the side of neck and another from eye to
the gape.

Grows to 61 inches. (Tail 13.)

Inhabits Ceylon, the Anamallay Hills, Bandelkand, Maunbhum,
and Duraerkunda at Pankabari in Sykkim, in Bengal.

Anderson says that Ceylon specimens are brighter coloured,
and the labials have black margins. The ventrals too are later-
ally spotted and on the posterior part of body finely punctulated
with black. The sub-caudals finely margined with brown.
(Proc. Zool. Soc, Lon., Feb. 1871.)

Family Lycodontid^.

Body moderate. Head somewhat elongate and depressed.
Eye small with vertical pupil. Maxillary with a fang in front,
but no posterior grooved tooth.

( 199 )

Lycodon, Boie.

Head depressed, with flat obtuse snout, distinct from neck.
Scales smooth. Nostril between two shields. Anterior mandi-
bular teeth lengthened.

L. aulicus, L.

Tytleria hypsirhinoides, Theo,

L. capucinus, Fitz.

Scales smooth, with a minute apical groove in 17 rows (finely
striated under a lens). Prsefrontals very small. Loreal large, its
anterior angle being inserted between the prse and postfrontals.
Nostril small. Prseocular in contact with the vertical and third
labial. Two or three postoculars. 9 upper labials, the third,
fourth, and fifth entering the orbit. Colour reddish brown or
brownish grey, barred and reticulated with yellow or white (in
spirits). In the young the first bar forms a conspicuous collar,
which disappears with age. Sometimes one uniform colour
without markings, especially in aged individuals.

Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 4.)

Inhabits Northern, Central and Southern India, Ceylon,
Bengal, Kachar, Arakan, Yunan, Barmah, the Andaman and
Nikobar Islands, Pinang, the Philippines and Timor.

L. striatus, Shaw.

Scales smooth, with a minute apical groove in 17 rows. Anal
bifid. Loreal twice as long as high. Preeocular narrow, in contact
with third labial, but not with the vertical. Two postoculars,
8 upper labial, the third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit.
Nostril small, between two nasals. Brown or black barred with
yellow, the bars being divided or broken up on the sides, and a
bright yellow collar on neck (fading in spirits to white).

Grows to about 20 inches. (Tail 3*7.)

Inhabit^ the Anamallay Hills, the North-Western Provinces,
the Panjab, and the hills below Simla:

( 200 )

L. jara, Shaw.

Leptorltytaon Jara. (Gth. gen.).
Lycophidium bipunctatum, Peters.
Scales smooth, with a minute sub-apical dot in 17 rows.
Nostril either in a single shield, which may be simple, divided
above and grooved below, or between two shields. Prsefrontals
smaU. One prgeocular. Colour brown, each scale with two
yellow dots (white in spirits), with or without a yellow collar.
Grows to 16"5 inches. (Tail 2"5.)

Inhabits Southern India, Ganjam, Bengal, Sykkim and Garo
Hills, Pegu, &c. (where it is certainly rare), but recorded by
Stoliczka.

L. Anamallensis, Glinther.

Scales in 17 rows, a minute apical groove on some of them.
Anal entire. Prsefrontals square, half the size of postfrontals,
which are rather longer than broad. Two loreals. One pree-
ocular, scarcely touching the vertical. Two postoculars. Colour
greyish brown, with 25 small white (yellow ?) brown-edged
cross-bars on the back side, indistinctly reticulated with whitish.
Each labial with a brown, spot. Belly uniform white.

Grows to 20 inches. (Tail 3 '5.)

Inhabits the Anamallay Hills.

Tetragonosoma, Gunther.

Body slender or moderate. Head depressed, distinct from
neck. Nostril between two shields. Loreal none.

J. atropurpureum. Cantor.

Colour deep purple, marbled with white and black, beneath
pearl coloured.

Inhabits Mergui.

Cantor's specimen is lost, and the species has not been re-dis-
covered. The only other species (effrene, Cantor) from Pinang
and Banka has not hitherto been recorded within Im^an limits.
(See Stoliczka, J. A S., 1870, p. 203.)

( 201 )

Cercaspis, Wagler.

Body strongly compressed. Head flat, not very distinct from
neck. Scales strongly keeled, or smooth, with apical groove in
19 rows. Ventrals with a lateral keel. Subcaudals entire.
Pupil erect.

C. carinata, Kuhl.

Prsefrontals small. Loreal longer than high. One prseocular
just reaches the top of the head. Two postoculars, 8 upper
labials, the third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit. Colour
black, encircled with white rings, broad below, but only one
or two scales wide above. The first rino- forms a broad collar,
and the rings are broader in the young. In adults the head
and neck are wholly black.

Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 4 or 5.)

Inhabits Ceylon.

C. Travankoricus, Bed. Mad. Mon. J. Med. Sc, 1870.

"Rostral deeply grooved below, not much produced back

between the anterior frontals; anterior frontals small. Not

half the size of the posterior. Vertical shield-shaped, three-sided,

pointed behind. Occipitals longer than the vertical, pointed

behind. Loreal much longer than high. Prseocular reaching the

surface of the head and touching the postfrontal and vertical.

8 upper labials, third, fourth and fifth entering the orbit; two

postoculars. Scales in 17 rows, quite smooth, with small apical

groove. Ventrals angled at the side. 66 entire subcaudals, or

a few of them double towards the apex of the tail. Total

length 15 inches, of which the tail is 2f . Colour black, with

white transverse bars. Belly uniform whitish. Very like

Lycodon striatum, but with entire subcaudals. Travankor hills,

Attraymallay, 5,000 feet elevation ; under stones, rare : it has

quite the colouration of Lycodon striatus. Two specimens were

found, one of which had all the subcaudals single, and the other

had the first 38 entire, and the 28 small ones towards the apex

of the tail, double."

b2

( 202 )

Ophites, Wagler.

Body and tail slender, compressed, strongly keeled below.
Head depressed, distinct from neck. Nostril between two shields.
Scales keeled in 17 rows. Subcaudals bifid. Pupil erect. One
of the anterior maxillary teeth enlarged with a blank space
behind it. An enlarged mandibular tooth in front.

o"-

O. sp.

An undescribed species is recorded by Anderson from Yunan
and Momein, so the genus probably will be met with in Barmah.
The two known species being recorded from Java, Pinang and
Sumatra. (Vide Anderson, J. A, S,, B,, part II, 1873, p. 36.)

0. albofuscus, D. et B.

Scales in 17 rows, strongly keeled. Anal bifid. Prsefrontals
short, much broader than long. Nostril situated between two
nasals, the prsefrontal and first labial. Loreal squarish. One
prseocular. Two postoculars. 8 upper labials, the third, fourth,
and fifth entering the orbit. Colour light reddish with some 50
brown cross bands, which are twice or thrice as broad as the
interspaces. A reddish white collar.

Grows to 247 inches. ( Tail 8-5.)

Dumeril's type came from Sumatra, but Giinther describes a
second specimen said to have come from India (Malabar Coast;.

Family AMBLYCEPHALiDiE.

Body slender, compressed. Head short, thick, very distinct
from the neck. Eye moderate, with vertical pupil. Nostril in a
single plate. Scales smooth or faintly keeled in 13 or 15 rows.
The vertebral row enlarged. Maxillary teeth few and small.
Palatal and mandibulary teeth strong anteriorly.

Pareas, Wagler.

Scales smooth or faintly keeled in 15 rows. .The vertebrals
largest or keeled. Ventrals rounded. Subcaudals bifid.

( 203 )

P. monticola, Cantor, (not of Blyth.)

Scales smooth, in 15 rows. Vertebrals enlarged. Anal entire.
Prsefrontals twice as broad as long, half the size of postfrontals,
which enter the orbit. Nasal simple. Loreal replaced by a large
prseorbital, with a second small one below wedged between the
orbit and the third labial. Two very narrow postorbitals, the
lower excluding the fifth labial from the orbit. 7 upper labials,
the fourth entering; the orbit. Colour brown. A black streak
from the brow, forming a ring behind the occiput, and conti-
nued as a black band on either side of the neck. Along the
anterior part of body a row of oblique black Y-shaped cross
bands, obsolete after the middle of the body. Below yellowish,
dotted with brown.

Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 5"5.)

Inhabits Assam.

A rare snake. The type is in the Oxford Museum.

P. lasvis, Kuhl.

Scales smooth in 15 rows. The vertebrals slightly larger. Anal
entire, Prsefrontals twice as broad as long, half the size of the
postfrontals which enter the orbit. Nostril wide, in the poste-
rior part of a shield. Loreal replaced by the single prteocular.
7 or 8 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. The
last two very low. Colour brown, marbled with black in
irregular cross bands. Belly brown, or white with irregular
blackish lateral spots.

Grows to 16 inches. (Tail 3.)

Inhabits the Khasi Hills, Kocliin China and Java.

P. margaritophorus, Jan.
P. Berdmorei, Blyth.
P. macularius, Blyth. (the young).
Aplopeltura boa Schl. apud Blyth. (the adult).
Scales smooth in 15 rows, or slightly keeled on the back.
Head high, quadrate, blunt, pugnosed. Eye large. Supercili-
aries large, fully as large as a postfrontal. Rostral high, but not
reaching the top of the head, deeply excavated below. Prse and

( 204 )

postfrontals sub-eq>ial. Nostril pierced posteriorly in a laro-e
shield. 6 or 7 upper labials, the anterior ones very high and
narrow. Eye bordered below by 5, 6, or 7 small shields, Avhich
exclude the labials. Loreal small. Three pairs of large trans-
verse gulars, the first forming a suture with the four first labials.
Anal entire. Colour uniform ochraceous, with obsolete traces of
vertical bands down the body. Two converging dark lines on
the nape and traces of a white collar in one specimen.

In the young (P. macularius) the head shields display some
irregularity. Prfefrontals very small. In some the postfrontals
enter the orbit. Superciliaries large, enter a notch between the
vertical and occipitals. Occipitals very large.

Colour rich reddish brown, with reticulate bars formed by
some parti-coloured scales, white in front, deep claret red behind,
giving the snake a half banded, half-spotted appearance. A
conspicuous white collar on the nape mottled with claret red.
Belly brown, spotted and mottled.

Grows to 24 inches. ( Tail 4'5.)
Inhabits Tenasserim.

P. modeslus, Theob. (Journ. Lin. Soc, Vol. X).

Scales smooth in 15 rows. Vertebrals not enlarged, but the
four vertebral rows faintly keeled. Prsefrontals small. Post-
frontals large, bent over and entering the orbit. Superciliaries
small. Loreal moderate. Prseoculars two, very small. Postocular
one, very small, with a band-like subocular excluding the labials
from the orbit. 7 upper labials, the fourth and fifth high, under
the orbit, sixth low, seventh very long, with two elongate
temporals over it. Three pairs of large transverse gulars.
Colour above uniform brown. Below pale yellowish.

The type was from Rangun. (Pegu.)

Stoliczkia, Jerdon.

Head blunt, very distinct from the thin neck. Body long,
compressed. Scales in 31 rows. Anal and subcaudals entire.

( 205 )

S. Khasiensis, Jerdon. Proc. As. Soc, B., 1870, p. 81.

Shields of the head short, not covering the occiput. Prse-
frontals very small. Postfrontals very large. Vertical broader
than long. One prggocular. Two postoculars. No temporals,
small scales immediately following the postocular. 8 upper
labials, the fifth and sixth entering the orbit, the last very long.
3 pairs of small chin shields. Scales ovate, tuberculated or
ridged, not imbricate, and increasing in size toward the ventrals.
Ventrals 207.

Length 26-5. ( Tail 7-75.)

Inhabits the Khasi Hills.

Family Pythonid^.

Habit moderate, but size large. Tail prehensile. Head
depressed, snout truncated or rounded in front. Eye moderate,
pupil vertical. Scales smooth, some of the labials pitted. A spur-
like prominence on either side of vent, indicating a rudimentary
limb beneath the skin.

Python, Daudin.

The anterior half only of the head covered with shields, the
hinder with scales. Nostrils between two unequal shields.

P. reticulatus, Schn.
Scales in 74 rows in the middle of the body. Behind the
postfrontals a pair of large shields, followed by four shields in
line, the inner being smallest, followed by the vertical. Three
loreals, two small, above a long one. Three prseoculai-s, one
large, above two small ones. A single labial below the orbit.
The first five upper labials deeply pitted and the ninth to the
thirteenth lower labials (Stol.) Colour during life clear grey,
superbly reticulated with black with a rich glossy lustre. The
grey colour of the back is seen as a series of oblique lozenges
separated by black and yellow margined. Yellow is also
interspersed on the interstitial black ground, between the
lozenges and on the sides forms irregular ocelli. The minor

( 206 )

details of pattern irregular and variegated. Head yellow, with
a median black streak and two black dots on the occiput.

Tail varies from an eighth to a tenth of the entire length.

Grows to about 30 feet, but specimens over 20 feet are seldom
seen.

Inhabits the Malayan Peninsula, the Nikobars, Barmah and
Tenasserim.

P. molurus, L.

Scales in 65 rows round the middle of the body. Several
small shields between the postfrontals and the vertical. 11 upper
labials, the sixth below the orbit, but separated from it by one or
two infraoculars. The two anterior upper labials are pitted and
four of the lower ones. Colour light greyish brownv A brown
lanceolate or subcordate spot on the crown and nape, its point
resting on the frontals, its end on or behind the vertical. A light
median streak divides its broader portion. A dark brown streak
from the nostril to gape, becoming broader behind and confluent
with another running along the mandible. A subtriangular
brown spot below the eye. A vertebral series of large quad-
rangular spots, with margins sometimes straight, sometimes
serrated, and an oblong spot on each side of the quadrangular
ones. Along the sides another row of irregular brown spots,
sometimes with a light centre.

Grows to about the same size as the last.

Inhabits the whole of Peninsular India, Ceylon (?), Province
Wellesley, the Malayan Peninsula (where less common than
reticulatus) and Southern China.

Family Erycid^.

Body cylindrical, covered by small short scales. Tail very
short, with a row of undivided subcaudals. Eye small, with
vertical pupil. None of the labials pitted. A short conical
prominence in a groove on either side of vent, indicating the
extremity of a rudimentary limb below the skin.

( 207 )

GoNGYLOPHis, Wagler.

Head flat, scarcely distinct from neck. Tail very short, taper-
ing. Head covered with scales, only the fore part of the snout
and lips shielded. Scales small, keeled. Ventrals and subcaudals
narrow.

G. conicus, Schn.

Rostral shield nearly twice as broad as high, with two pairs of
small shields behind, the outer of which are the anterior nasals.
12 upper labials, low, subequal. Orbit surrounded by scales.
Scales in 41 to 47 rows in the centre of body, keeled. Colour
brownish grey, with a dorsal series of large quadrangular brown
blotches edged with dark brown and whitish, often confluent
and forming a zig-zag band, with small irregular spots below.
Beneath white. A brown temple streak behind the eye.

Grows to 25 inches.

Inhabits Peninsular India.

Eryx, Daudin.

Head covered with scales, not distinct from the neck, obtusely
conical with a trenchant anterior edge to the snout. Body
cylindrical. Skin thick and loose. Tail very short. Eye small,
with vertical pupil. Scales small, slightly keeled. Chin with a
median groove.

E. Johnii Russell.

E. maculatus, Hallowell.

Two pairs of small frontals. 10 to 13 upper labials, none of
which enter the orbit, which is surrounded by scales. Scales on
body in from 54 to 65 rows. Colour above reddish brown, with
or without some irregular black spots and dots. Belly pale,
dark marbled. Young specimens with three or four brownish
rings round hind part of body.

Grows to 48 inches. (Tail 4.)

Inhabits Peninsular India.

This snake is commonly kept by snake-charmers, and is the
" double-headed snake" of Europeans.

( 208 )

Cltrsoria, Gray.

Differs from Gongylophis in liaving smooth scales and
apparently a mental groove.

C. elegans, Gray.

Head not distinct from neck. Snout truncated. Eye very
small. Nostril very narrow. Head covered with small scales,
those on the snout being largest. A pair of small frontal shields
behind the rostral. 11 small upper labials, the sixth highest and
below the orbit, which is encircled by a ring of small scales.

Scales in centre of body in 36 rows. Colour light brownish
olive, with a dorsal series of irregular rounded chestnut spots
black edged, with numerous small spots along the sides and belly.

Grows to 16 inches.

Inhabits Afghanistan.

Sub-order 2. Venomous Colubrine Snakes.
A poison gland present.

Family ELAPiDiE.

Tail conical, tapering. Head normally shielded, but the loreal
invariably wanting. Nostril lateral. Eye moderate or small,
with round pupil. Venom fang grooved in front and the canal
contained, terminating in a slit.

Naja, Laurenti.

Neck dilatable into a hood. Scales smooth in 15 rows on the
body, but more numerous on the neck. Nostril between two
shields.

N. tripudians, Merr.
Coluber naja, L.
N. lutescens, Laur,
iV. larvata, Cantor.
i\^. atra, Cantor.
JSf. kaouthia, Less.
Neck very dilatable under excitement, the anterior ribs being
elongated and expansile. Anal entire. Subcaudals bifid. 6 upper

( 209 )

labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. One prseocular.
Two to four postoculars. Colour very variable, from pale yellow-
ish to pale and dark brown, and black. The spectacle marks
also vary in development, and are sometimes replaced by a pale
oval ocellus, with a dark centre. This variety, zeta of Giinther's
catalogue, prevails on the east of the Bay of Bengal, but I have
seen the ordinary spectacled form, though rarely, in Pegu.
Grows to 70 inches.
Inhabits the whole of Continental India and Ceylon, the
Lower Himalayas, Assam, Barmah, the Malayan Peninsula and
the larger Asiatic Islands.

N. elaps, Schl.

N. vittata, Elliott.

Hamadryas ophiophagus and hannah. Cantor.

Gnahn, of the Barmese.

Subcaudals bifid, more generally the anterior ones single.
Occipitals surrounded by three pairs of large shields. One or
two prseoculars. Three postoculars.

Colour during life of an adult female, olive brown with paler
cross bands deeply edged with black. Beneath white mottled
with black about tail. Throat yellow. This specimen had 9
caudal scuta and 83 scutella, and measured 147 inches. (Tail 26.)

A young female of 78 inches was uniform brown, passing into
blackish on the hinder part of trunk and tail, with 40 pale
buffish bands, black-edged, conspicuous on the tail, faint on the
body and obsolete on the neck. Belly clouded with slaty. No
yellow on throat. Both specimens from Pegu.

Giinther describes the colours as greenish or brownish olive
with numerous oblique alternate black and white bands con-
verging towards the head. Belly dark mottled, or uniform
black, with yellow throat and chin. Stoliczka thus describes
the young. J. A. S., 1870, p. 211:— Colour "pure jet black; the
snout, a band in front of the eyes, a third posterior to these
broken up into large spots ; a fourth across the posterior end of
the occipitals broken up into six spots, 32 narrow equidistant

c 2

( 210 )

ringf? on the body, directed forward along the dorsal line, and 1 1
rings on the tail, as well as its extreme tip, are yellowish white."
The rings are broader below than above, and the general colour-
ation "most markedly recalls that of Xenurela-pa bungaroides, of
which we as yet only know young specimens."

Grows to 170 inches.

Inhabits India, Barmah and the Tenasserim Provinces.

This superb snake has the reputation in Pegu of attacking
with persevering ferocity any one molesting it, but I imagine the
statement holds good only during the breeding season. I have
myself frequently noticed them in the jungle, and though toler-
ably fearless of man, those I have seen did not evince any desire
to attack me. I have on two occasions taken the snake myself.
Once when descending the Tenasserim river in company with
Dr. Oldham, I noticed one of these snakes in the brushwood on
the river bank, and mistaking it for the harmless Ptyas, I
sprang ashore and seized it by the tail. I had no sooner done
so than I discovered my error, but had the presence of mind to
hold the creature gently, so as to induce it to suppose that with
a slight effort it would disengage itself, and calling to my men
for a ' Dah,' which was at once handed to me, I with two blows
severed the animal in half, the head and fore part of the trunk
at once rolling into the river. After some little time the head
was fished out, and the creature found to measure 12 feet.

On another occasion I noticed a large crowd of Barmese round a
bush in which was an infuriated Gnahn surrounded by men and
dogs, which it kept at bay by spirited charges, when too close an
approach was made to it. Seizing a stout stick, I directed all
the men to retire to some distance, and took up my stand a few
yards in the open on the other side. As I anticipated, as soon
as the coast seemed clear, out came the Gnahn on my side,
straight for where I was standing, though probably without per-
ceiving me. In a second, I dealt him a smart blow on the head,
and before he could recover himself, I flung myself on top of him
and firmly secured him, though, as he measured 12 feet, it was as
much as I could do to hold him with safety, I now dragged

( 211 )

him to my tents, which were close at hand, and divided his cervi-
cal vertebrae with a pair of nail scissors, to the profound aston-
ishment of the Barmese present. It was a foolhardy thing to do,
but one does not stop to weigh consequences when a fine speci-
men is to be secured.

The bite of a snake of this size would probably prove fatal to a
man in three minutes, and cases are known of elephants having
been killed in a few hours by the bite of a Qnahn.

The Barmese snake-charmers catch these snakes and exhibit
them in the same way as ' Cobras' but always give them their
liberty in a few months, to avoid the sin of their death, should
they die of inanition whilst in their possession.

The Onahn feeds on other snakes (it is said), whence one of its
specific names, but is an inoffensive animal I believe, save when
intruded on during the nuptial period, at other times displaying
the calm sense of superior power rather than irritability or ferocity .

Callophis, Gray.

Body sub-cylindrical, long and slender. Head short, obtuse
with broad snout, not distinct from neck. Tail short. Eye
small with round pupil. Nostril between two nasals. One prse-
ocular. Two postoculars. Scales smooth in 13 rows, the yerte-
brals not enlarged. Subcaudals bifid.

C. intestinalis, Laur.

Elaps fm'catus, Schn.
Maticora lineata, Gray.
Head brown, black spotted on the side and yellowish below.
A red vertebral stripe bordered with black. A buff" coloured
band bordered with black along the edges of the two outer rows
of scales. Belly with alternate pale citrine and black cross bands,
the latter colour occupying three or four ventral shields, the
former rarely more than two. Tail with three black rings, some-
times absent.
Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 15.)
Inhabits Upper Barmah, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines.

( 212 )

Mr. Bernard Meyer has pointed out a remarkable physiological
peculiarity in this species and G. hivirgatus. The poison glands
exceed one-third of the entire length of the animal. Stoliczka
thus describes their course, J. A. S., 1870, part II, p. 212: —
" They are somewhat more than one-third the length of the body,
running along the ventral side and accompanying laterally the
alimentary and respiratory canal. Their anterior half is
extremely thin, after which they gradually thicken, terminating
in front of the heart with club-shaped ends, being here partially
surrounded by the parenchyma of the internal organs. There is
a perceptible thickening of the muscles to be observed here, and
when seen externally, the body is slightly thicker where the
poison glands terminate."

This remarkable peculiarity has only hitherto been noticed in
the above species, intestinalis and hivirgatus.

C. hivirgatus, Bole, has not been recorded from Indian limits.
It is readily known by its immaculate vermilion head, belly,
and tail.

C. annularis, >Giinther.

Head and neck black above, with a broad yellow (red ?) cross
band behind the eyes. Body and tail reddish brown, with 40
narrow equidistant black white-edged rings, each a scale broad
on the body, but broader on the tail. Belly yellowish, with a
black bar between the rings, one scale broad, so that every third
ventral is black.

Type marked from India measures 19 inches. ( Tail 2.)

C. trimaculatus, Daud.

Coluber melanurus, Shaw.
Colour above light bay, an indistinct line formed by minute
brown dots along each row of scales. Upper side of head and
neck and a spot below the eye black. Snout with some irregu-
lar small narrow yellow spots. A yellow spot on each temporal.
A sub-triangular yellow spot on the middle of the neck. Black
of the neck edged with yellow behind. Tail marbled with black

( 213 )

below, with two black rings each variegated with yellow. Belly
red.

Grows to 12 inches. (Tail 09.)

Inhabits Tenasserim and Bengal (?)

E. maculiceps, Giinther.

E. melanurus, Cantor (not Shaw).

Colour uniform pale brown, with a chain of 36 distant, not
very distinct black dots down either side of back. Crown of
the head black, giving off a broad streak behind the eye, and
uniting with a black collar on the nape. A subterminal black
ring on the tail and a broader one at the base, expanded above
into a rhomboidal escutcheon, with a narrow black median line
above the tail.

Grows to 24 inches. A Rangun specimen measured 19'25
inches. (Tail 1-25.)

Inhabits Pegu, Tenasserim and the Malayan Peninsula,

C. nigrescens, Giinther. Monog. I. R., p. 351.

C. concinnus, Beddome. Mad. Quar. J. Med, Sen., VI,
45, pi, 1, f. 2.
Upper parts blackish ash. Lower parts red. Crown of the
head symmetrically marbled with black, a black spot below the
eye, another descends from the occipital to the gape. A black
horse-shoe collar, with its ends directed forwards. A narrow
black vertebral line slightly edged with yellowish runs from the
collar to the tip of the tail. A series of small ovate black spots
indistinctly edged with whitish along each side of the trunk
anteriorly. Anal entire or bifid.
Grows to 48 inches. (Tail 5.)
Inhabits the Nilghiri and Shevroy Hills, and the Wynaad.

C. cerasinus. Bed. Mad. Mon. J.Med. Sci., 1867, p. 15, pi. II, f. 5.

" Rostral slightly produced back between the anterior frontals.
Anterior frontals only half the size of the posterior, the latter
touch the orbit. No loreal and no anteocular. Nostril between
2 nasals. 7 upper labials, 3rd, 4th and 5th very high. 3rd
and 4th enter the orbit. 1 small postocular. Vertical 6-sided,

( 214 )

pointed behind. Superciliaries small. Occipitals large, elono-ated,
pointed behind, with a pair of large temporals on each side.
Anal entire. Back purplish brown, with a shining nacreous
lustre, with transverse broad irregular shaped black bands ex-
tending to the tip of the tail (about 40) at nearly equal distances,
and which are continued (though not broad) underneath the
belly and tail, but do not quite meet. Sides (2 or 2| of the
lowest rows of scales) and belly of a bright cherry colour.
Head black in front, neck with the 5th, 6th, and 7th labials, and
a portion of the occipitals cherry coloured. Length 21 1 inches,
of which the tail is 2 inches. Circumference 1| of an inch.
Subcaudals 31. Abdominals 228.
Inhabits Malabar forests, the Wynaad at 3,000 feet.

C. pentalineatus, Bed. Mad. Mon. J. Med. Sci.

" 7 upper labials. 2 postoculars. 1 anteocular. Of a cherry
colour, with 5 longitudinal black streaks from the neck to the
end of the body, and 3 along the upper part of the tail ; the
middle streak is the broadest, the lowest streak is between the
1st and 2nd scales from the abdominals, the 2nd between the
3rd and 4th. The fifth row of scales is untouched by any of the
black streaks, the broad central streak occupies the whole of the
central row of scales along the top of the back and part of the
row on each side of it; belly uniform cherry red. Neck black.
Head with black markings."

Grows to 36 inches.

Inhabits the Travankor Hills.

C. MacClellandii Reinh. Calcutta Jour. Nat. Hist., 1844,
IV., p. 532.
a personatus, Blyth. J. A. S., 1855, XXIII, p. 298.
C. univirgatus, Giinther. P. Z. S., 1859, p. 83, pi. 17.
Upper labials 7. Anal bifid. Ventrals 218. Subcaudals 28.
Head and neck black, with a yellow bar behind the eyes. Body
and tail reddish brown, with generally a black vertebral line
from the nape to the tip of tail. Belly yellowish, with black
cross bands or quadi'angular spots. Sometimes the belly bars

( 215 )

are alternately short and long, giving the appearance of a chain
of supra-abdominal spots. Tail black ringed, or sometimes with-
out rings, and belly only spotted. Sometimes the vertebral line
is absent and the body encircled with black rings.

Grows to about 30 inches.

Inhabits Nipal, Sykkim and Assam.

Xenueelaps, Gunther.

Body sub-cylindrical, long and slender. Head short, sub-tri-
ancfular with rounded snout, not distinct from the neck. Tail
short. Eye small with round pupil. Nostril between two
nasals. One prseocular. Two postoculars. Scales smooth in 15
rows. Vertebrals enlarged. Subcaudals bifid. Anal entire.

X. bungaroides. Cantor.

7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. Colour
above black, with narrow white angular transverse lines directed
forwards, and more distinct in front than behind; 48 on the
body. Lower part of rostral white. A white line across the
snout before the eyes. Two interrupted divergent white lines from
the vertical descending to the neck, another band from behind
to the fifth and sixth labial. Type : 15'8 inches. (Tail 1'8.)

Inhabits the Khasi Hills.

BuNGARUS, Daudin.

Body elongate. Tail rather short. Head depressed with
rounded muzzle, hardly distinct from the neck. Nostril between
two nasals. One prseocular. Two postoculars. Scales smooth,
obliquely disposed in 13 to 15 rows, those of the vertebral row
enlarged and hexagonal. Eye small with round pupil.

B, cseruleus, Schn.

Boa krait, Williams. As. Res.
Boa lineata, Shaw.
B. lividus and candidus, Cantor,
B. arcuatus, D. et B.
Scales in 15 rows. Colour above deep lustrous blue-black,

( 21G )

uniform or streaked, and reticulated with white much as some
vars of Lycodon aulicus Below white.

Grows to 54 inches. GUnther says the tail is a seventh, but
it is usually less.

Inhabits the whole of Continental India from Cape Komorin
to the Himalayas (but not Ceylon, according to Giinther), Sykkim,
Assam, Pegu, and Tenasserim, the Andamans (?)

This is the 'krait' of Hindustan, and the harmless little L.
anlicus, or ' carpet snake,' so much dreaded. Probably owes its
evil name to the resemblance of some of its varieties to the

B. fasciatus, Schn.

B. annularis, Daud.

Scales in 15 rows. Body alternately ringed black and yellow,
the bands not crossing the belly, the first being broadest and
produced into a triangular process resting on the vertical. Head
black. Throat and belly yellow.

Grows, it is said, to 90 inches. An adult male taken in Pegu
measured 65 inches. (Tail 6.)

Inhabits Peninsular India (locally), the Northern Sirkai\s, Ben-
gal, Kachar, Assam, Upper Barmah, Pegu, Tenasserim and the
Malayan Peninsula.

B. Ceylonicus, Giinther.

B. fasciatus, var B. Giinther, Colubrine Snakes, p. 221.

Eighteen or twenty broad black rings encircle the body, the

white (yellow ?) intervals being very narrow, so as to produce

the appearance of white bars on a black ground. In the young

the black bands do not cross the belly.

Inhabits Ceylon and Southern India, a specimen which I refer
to the species having been received by me from near Palam-
kottah, through the kindness of Major Swiney.

B. flaviceps, Reinh.

Megoirophis formosus, Gray.
Scales in 13 rows. Colour black. Head, neck, and a thin

( 217 )

vertebral line bright coral red. Belly red or black anteriorly,
red posteriorly.

Grows to 73 inches. (Tail 9.)

Inhabits Tenasserim, Pinang, Java, Sumatra and Borneo,

Sub-order 3. Viperine Snakes.

Snakes furnished with long tubular erectile fangs on an
extremely short maxillary bone.

Family ViPERiDiE.

Body stout. Tail short. Head broad. No pit in the loreal
region. Eye with vertical pupil. Scales keeled. Physiognomy
repulsive. Viviparous.

Daboia, Qray.

Head covered with scales. Nostril lateral, extremely large,
between three shields. A narrow superciliary shield. Scales
strongly keeled in 29 to 31 rows. Subcaudals bifid.

D. Russellii, Shaw.

Vipera clegans, Daud.

Colour above greyish or reddish brown, with three rows of
black, white-edged annular ocelli down the back and sides. The
vertebral series ovate, the outer ones circular. Sometimes sup-
plementary ocelli of small size interspersed below between the
others. A broad arrow mark on the head formed by two pale
lines from the snout over the eyes to the temporal region-
Rostral and labials yellowish with brown margins. A brown
spot below the eye and head elegantly marbled. Belly yellowish
or marbled with brown, and with numerous semi-circular spots
on the hind margins of the ventrals.

Grows to 54 inches.

Inhabits Northern, Central, and Southern India, the Panjab,
Kashmir, the Himalayas up to 5,000 feet, Bengal, Ceylon, Arakan,
and Pegu, and perhaps Tenasserim, but I have no certain record
of it below Rangun.

This snake, called ' Tic-pcelonga' in Ceylon, ' Chanda-hora' or
Uloo-hora in Bengal, ' Mhor bhvji in Barma, and Cobra monil

D 2

( 218 )

or 'Necklace snake' by early writers, disputes with the cobra
the evil pre-eminence of being the most deadly snake in the
world. Its fangs, viewed only as mechanical weapons of offence,
are very formidable, and as many as five supplemental ones may
sometimes be counted behind the front one, all ready to supply
its loss, and become anchylosed in its place if broken away.
When, however, in addition to the wound these long tubular
fangs are capable of giving, the injection of the deadliest venom
is added, there is no snake perhaps in the world fitted to excite
greater horror than this. Its physiognomy is peculiarly repul-
sive, and from its sluggish habits, and its disinclination to move
out of the path on which it is coiled, on the approach of a man,
and the vigour and effect with which it resents being trodden
on, it is ever more dangerous than the gentler and more timid
or retiring cobra. Whoever has seen one of these animals coiled
up and slowly moving its coils one over another, but without
attempting to escape, will at once see the beauty of the simile
in the 22nd Book of Iliad, verse 93 (suggested no doubt from
the behaviour of a European member of the same famil}^), when
Hector waiting the approach of Achilles is likened to a venomous
snake roused and enraged by the approach of a man ; and having
once at Garden Reach nearly stepped on to a large Daboia, which
though roused and angry made no attempt to move away, I have
always very vividly realised the propriety of the above simile.

EcHis, Merrem.

Head covered with keeled scales. A pair of very small
frontals behind the rostral. Nostril small, round, situated in a
large nasal shield divided below. Scales imbricate, strongly
keeled in 25 to 29 rows. Subcaudals entire.

E. carinata, Schn.
Colour brown. An undulating pale line down each side,
joined across the back by some pale dark-edged bars. Each
convex loop of the side line filled with a dark spot, and some
small dark spots along the abdomen. Crown of head dark, with
a pale central lozenge and a dark stripe from the eye to the

( 219 )

gape. Two rows of scales next, the ventrals enlarged and
deflected.

Grows to 24 inches.

Inhabits North- Western and Central India, the Panjab and
Southern India, but is rare or absent in Lower Bengal.

A very active and irascible snake. The bite of a small one
might not prove fatal, but that of a full grown one is no doubt
extremely dangerous.

Family Crotalid^e.

Body stout, tail moderate or short. Head broad, subtrigonal.
A deep pit in the loreal region. Eye moderate, with vertical
pupil. Oviparous or viviparous, for both methods seem to obtain
in this genus.

Trimeresurus, Gunther.

Head triansailar. Some small shields behind the rostral and
small superciliaries present, the rest of the head scaly. Scales
keeled in 17 to 27 rows. Tail prehensile. Subcaudals
divided.

a. The second upper labial fovnis the front of the facial pit.

T. gramineus, Shaw. Zool. Ill, p. 420.
Vipera viridis, Daud.

T. elegans, Gray. An. & Mag., 1853, XII, p. 391.
(young).
The supranasals are separated by a small shield or a pair of
small shields. Scales in 19* — 21 rows, those of the head smooth
or faintly keeled. Ventrals 158 — 170. Subcaudals 58 — 71.
Colour grass green above, lighter on the sides. Tail sometimes
cinnamon red. A yellow or brick-red line runs from behind the
eye along the outer series of scales. Beneath pale greenish.
Grows to 32 inches.

Inhabits Sykkim, the Khasi Hills, Assam, Pegu, the Andamans
(fide Blyth and Anderson), Bengal.

Giinther also gives ' Ladak,' which is clearly absurd, and
Ningpo. It does not appear to occur west of Nipal.

( 220 )

T. Anamallensis, Giintlier.

Scales in 21 rows. Ventrals 148 — 158. Subcaudals 51 — 55.
Colour yellowish green, with a dorsal series of large rhombic black
spots, each spot variegated by yellow. Head marbled with black
in adults, greenish in the young. A brown or black band from
the eye to the gape. Superciliary with one or two black streaks.
Belly yellowish green, with yellow and black spots along the
sides. Tail black, with green and yellow spots. The young are
reddish olive, with indistinct markings.

Grows to 24 inches. (Tail 3'5.)

Inhabits the Anamallay Hills.

T. ^pionticola, Gray. An. & Mag., N. H., 1858, XII, 392.

Supranasals separated by a pair of small shields. Scales on the
head smooth. On the body keeled in 21 — 23 rows. Ventrals
137 — 141. Subcaudals 41. Eye small. Colour in male blackish
ash, in females and young pale brown. Two rows of square black
spots along the back, alternately placed, or confluent. Sides
black or brown spotted. A yellow or white streak from the eye
to the neck, with a Y-like mark on the neck. Belly densely
marbled with brown.

Grows to 21 inches. (Tail 250.)

Inhabits the Central and Eastern Himalayas from 2,000 to
8,000 feet, the Khasi Hills and Yunan.

T. erythrurus. Cantor. P. Z. S., 1859, p. 31.
T. albolahris, Gray. Zool. Mis., p. 48.
Trigonocephelus viridis, Schl. Phys. Scop. II, p. 544.
PI. 19, f. 12,13.

Supranasals in contact behind the rostral, with rarely a small
shield between. Scales in 21 — 23 rows. The head " elongately
oval, more depressed than in either T . grartiineus or T. carinatus"
(Stol.) Scales of the head slightly, of the body strongly, keeled.
Ventrals 150 — 164. Subcaudals 54—70. Colour grass green
above, lighter on the sides. Tail rusty. Lips and chin whitish,
and a white lateral line bordered below with greenish or purple.

( 221 )

Belly greenish white. The white line and lips may be absent in
old females.

Grows to 33 inches. (Tail 60.)

Inhabits Bengal, Assam, Kachar, Upper Barma, Pegu, Ten-
asserim, " Java, Siam, and China," fide Giinther.

T. labiali-s, Fitz. Steindachner Reise der Nov. Rep., p. 86.
Bothrophis labialis, Fitz, Aush., p. 411.

Supranasals in contact, as in T. crythrurus. A narrow
superciliary forms the hinder margin of the orbit. Superciliaries
two. Scales in 23 rows, keeled. Anal large, entire. Ventrals
173, 168. Subcaudals 54 — 56, the last 6 or 7 entire.

Colour above brownish grey, brown spotted and barred. Belly
yellowish or dark grey, spotted. Tail below margined with
brown. Head above dark greyish brown. Upper labials yellow
or pale grey. Sometimes a yellow line behind the eye, separat-
ing the dark colour of the back from the paler colour below.

Inhabits the Nikobar group.

T. carinatus. Gray, Zool. Mis., p. 48.

T. bicolor, Gray. An. & Mag., N. H., 1842, XII,

p. 392.
T. porphyraceua, Blyth, apud Giinther. J. R.
Cryptelytrops carinatus, Cope. Pro. A. Nat. Sci.

Phil., 1859, p. 340.

Head short and high, with usually two rows of scales below
the infraoculars. One or two shields usually between the supra-
nasals, or, if absent, the supranasals only just touch but do not
form a broad suture. Superciharies very large. Scales strongly
keeled in 23 or 25 rows, rarely in 21. Ventrals 155 — 169. Sub-
caudals 51 — 60. Colour above uniform grass green, paler below,
or whitish. Tail yellowish or rusty.

Grows to 37 inches. (Tail 60.)

Inhabits the Western Himalayas (vide Stoliczka), Sykkim,
the Garo Hills, Bengal, Pegu and Tenasserim. The Andaman
Islands (?)

( 222 )

Stoliczka (in J. A. S., 1870, p. 218) remarks on the difficulty
of separating specimens of this species where the scales are as few
as 21 rows from gramineus, the stouter form of the head beino-
the best criterion. In the Andaman Islands this species would
seem to be replaced by the next.

T. porphyraceus, Blyth. J. A. S., 1860, p. 111.

T. carinatus, Gray, apud Giinther. J. R., p. S8G.

T. carinatus, Gray. b. and c. of my Cat. of Rept. A. S. B.

Scales in 25 rows. Supranasals small, separated by a laro-ish
shield. Colour dull "grass green, with a fine pori^hyraceous
lustre throughout " (StoL), or " grass green, brown or blackish
either uniformly coloured, or variously mottled " Blyth). A few
indistinct large porphyraceous spots posteriorly. Upper lip and
below whitish. A lateral side streak rarely present.

Grows to 48 inches.

Inhabits the Andaman and Nikobar Islands.

This species was separated from graifnineus {viridis) by Blyth
on account of its peculiar colouration, and Stoliczka describes it
as much narrower and more slender. It also has relations with
carinatus, but the head is less high than in that species, it would
appear also to be more restricted in its area than either of those
species.

T. Cantori, Blyth. J. A. S., B., 1846, XV, p. 377.

Scales in 27 — 29 rows. Scales on the head very small. Ven-
trals 174—184. Caudals 55 — 76. Anal entire, semilunar.
Colour duU green, with several rows of dark alternating spots.
A white streak from the rostral to the gape, margined above and
below with dark green, sometimes absent. A narrow white
lateral line along the body and tail. Below whitish or greenish,
with the base of the ventrals dark ashy. Tail strongly prehen-
sile, light grey, dark spotted.

Grows to 48-50 inches. (Tail 675.)
Inhabits the Andaman and Nikobar Islands.

( 223 )

T. trigonocephalus, Merr. Tent., p. 156,
Nigromorginatus, Kuhl. Beit., p. 20.
Megmra olivacea, Gray. Zool, Mis., p. 49,

The anal is entire, but the ventral in front of it is notched or
divided. Two pairs of shields on the snout, the inner twice the
size of the outer. Scales in 17 — 19 rows, slightly keeled on the
back, the others smooth. Ventrals 147 — 152. Caudals 57 — 63,
Colour green, with network of black stripes on the head, one
running from the eye to the gape, A black vertebral band emit-
ting black streaks on either side alternately. The black is mar-
gined with yellow, and the streaks have usually a yellow centre.
Sides slightly tinged with yellow, Ventrals pale green, with a
broad posterior yellow margin, Caudals marbled with blackish,
and tail tip black.

Grows to 31 inches. (Tail 5.)

Inhabits Ceylon.

h. Shield in front of the facial pit divided from the
second upper labial.

T. mutabilis, Stol. J. A. S. B., 1870, p. 219.

Body slender. Scales in 21 rows. The second upper labial
sometimes forms the anterior margin of the facial pit, or is some-
times divided into two, even on opposite sides of the same speci-
men. Anal entire. Ventrals 156 — 167. Subcaudals 48 — 62.
Supranasals separated by a single shield. The first labial united
to the nasal and marked with a groove only. One row of scales
below the infraocular. Colour very variable. On the head
blackish brown, on the body olive brown, barred with numerous
greenish white dark-edged cross bands, either regular or broken
and alternating. A white streak from the rostral to the gape,
meeting a temporal streak, and thence continued along the edge
of the ventrals as a line of white and brown spots. Two other
bands down each side separated by a brown band. Below yel-
lowish or greyish, densely marbled with dark and red, especially
in front. Tail coral red or reddish brown, darker below.

Grows to 19-50 inches. (Tail 275.)

Inhabits the Andaman and Nikobar Islands.

( 224 )

T. Andersoni, Theob. Catalogue of Rep., A. S. B., p. 75.
T. obscurus, Theob. ib., p. 76.

Accepting the correctness of Stoliczka's remarks (J. A. S. B,,
1871, part II, p. 443) this species is equally variable with the
last, as regards the subdivision of the second upper labial,
which is undivided in Andersoni (type), but divided in ohscurus.
Supranasals separated by a shield behind the rostral. Scales in
25 rows, sharply keeled. Eye rather large, with two rows of
scales below the orbit. Ventral 182. Subcaudals 71. Anal
entire, strongly projecting. Colour above and below uniform
rich brown. Belly and sides conspicuously white spotted, or
greenish on the sides and belly, spotted and barred with brown.

Inhabits the Andaman Islands.

Stoliczka (1. c.) ridicules the identification of this species with
monticola by Dr. Anderson (P. Z. S., 1871, p. 194), but points
out its close relationship to porphyraceuus. More materials are
however required to settle the question of identity, though it
seems certain it has nothing to do with monticola.

T. strigatus, Gray. Zool. Mis., p. 48.

Trig. Nilghiriensis, Jerd. J. A. S. B., 1854, p. 524.

Superciliaries narrow. No shields behind the rostral, but the
surface of the head covered with small nearly smooth scales.
Scales in 21 rows. Ventrals 136—142. Caudals 31—40. Colour
brown, with a row of large irregular darker spots and a horse-
shoe-like white mark on the neck. Lips yellowish. A triangular
black spot below the eye and pit. A brown band from the eye
to the neck. Mandible black spotted. Belly marbled with black.
Tail tip white in the young.

Grows to 20 inches. (Tail 2-50.)

Inhabits the Dekkan and Nilghiri Hills.

c. Species inadequately known.

T. mucrosquamatus, Cantor. P. Z. S., 1839, p. 32.

Ventrals 218. Subcaudals 91. Brownish grey above, with
black white-edged rings, covered with oval half-keeled pointed
imbricate scales ; whitish beneath, dotted with black.

Inhabits the Naga Hills, Assam.

( 225 )

Peltopelor, Giinther.

Head covered with large shield-like imbricate scales. Scales
keeled in twelve rows. Caudals divided.

P. macrolepis, Bed. Mad. Mon. J. Med. Sci., Vol. V.

Rostral shield small, triangular, erect ; nasal pierced by a small
round nostril. A narrow prseocular above, and another below,
the facial pit. Colour uniform green, dark olive in adults, bright
grass green in the young. A yellow lateral line. Belly pale green.

Grows to 21 inches.

Inhabits the Anamally Hills.

Halys, Gray.

Head broad, obtuse, covered with the normal number of
shields above. Scales keeled in 23 to 27 rows, Caudals divided.

H. Himalayanus, Giinther. I. R., p. 393.

The anterior frontals short; both together form a sort of
crescent. Five upper labials ; the second is small, not entering
the margin of the facial pit. The third enters the orbit. Scales
in 23 rows. Anal entire. Colour dark brown, indistinctly
spotted with darker spots transverse, edged with black. Belly
black, marbled with yellowish. A blackish band from the eye
to the gape.

Grows to 25 inches. (Tail 3-75.)

Inhabits Garhwal.

H. Elliotti, Jerd. J. A. S. B., 1854, p. 523.
Trigonocepkalus Elliotti, J. 1. c.
"Form massive. 23 rows of scales on the body. Scuta 151.
Scutella 43. Olive green above, pearl white beneath. Poison
fangs small. Head covered with plates. Up to two feet and up-
wards long. I have only procured this on the Nilghiries,
towards the lower portion of the plateau. Dr. Cantor tells me
that 'the shields of the crown of the head resemble that of
Trig. Blanchoffi, Schl' "

e2

( 226 )

Hypnale, Fitzinger.

Head broad, triangular. Snout covered with numerous un-
equal scale-like shields, symmetrically arranged. The crown of
the head normally shielded. Scales keeled in 17 to 19 rows.
Subcaudals bifid. Tail terminating in a short conical scale.
Viviparous or oviparous.

H. nepa, Laur. Laur. Syn., p. 97.

H. ajffinis, Anderson. J. A. S. B., 1871, part II, p. 20.

Snout slightly upturned, scaled. Superciliaries very large,
equal to or larger than occipitals. Loreal pit over the second
upper labial. Upper labials 7, none entering the orbit. Three
prseoculars, the lowest in contact with a band-like postocular.
Colour above brown, with a double dorsal row of dark spots, or
dark cross bars. Below pale, profusely dark mottled, or brown
darker mottled. A pale band from the eye over the temporal
region continued down the side where it is broken up and lost.
Chin and throat blackish or brown, variegated more or less with
grey, with one or two opaque white dots on either side along the
mandible. All the scales finely punctate with dark brown.

Grows to 19 inches. (Tail 2-50.)

Inhabits Ceylon and the mountains of Southern India.

The bite is said to be fatal, though exceptionally so to man,
and then only after some days.

A variety with 19 rows of scales and 8 upper labials has been
separated specifically by Anderson, but injudiciously I think.

NON-INDIAN SPECIES INCLUDED IN
GUNTHER'S MONOGRAPH.

Cuora flavomarginata, Gray

... China, Formosa. '

„ trifaseiata, Gray

... China. ^

Notochelys platynota, Gray

... Singapore.

Emys Bealii, Gray

. . . Southern China. ^

„ mutica, Cantor

... Chusan. ^

„ nigricans, Gray

... Southern China. ^

„ Sinensis, Gray

... Canton, Formosa, t

„ Reevesii, Gray

. . . Southern China. 1

„ macrocephala

... Siam.

Batagur affinis, Cantor

... Malayan Peninsula.

Trionyx Sinensis, Wieg.

... Chusan, Formosa^ o

„ ornatus, Gray

... Siam.

„ sub-planus, Schweig

... Singapore.

Crocodilus Siamensis, Schneid

... Siam.

Tachydromus meridionaiis, Giinther

... Southern China. ?

„ Septentrionalis, Giinther

. . . Northern China. / c

Tropidophorus microlepis, Giinther

... Chartaboum.

„ Cochin chinensis, Cuv.

. . . Cochin China.

Euprepes Chinensis, Gray

... China. '(

Maboiiia qiiadrilineata, Blyth

. . . Hongkong. 1 1-

„ Chinensis, Gray

... China. '^

Eumeces modestus, Giinther

... Ningpo. '"

„ Reevesii, Gray

. . . China. ' "'

„ chalcides, L.

... Pinang, Hongkong,

„ Siamensis, Giinther

... Siam.

„ Bowringii, Giinther

... Hongkong.

„ isodactylus, Giinther

... Camboja. [Island.

Gecko Smithii, Gray

... Prince of Wales'

„ monarchus, D. et B,

... Malayan Peninsula.

( 228 )

Gecko Japonicus, D. et B.

.. Chusan.

„ Swinlionis Giinther,

. . Northern China.

sub-palmatus, Giintlier

'.. Chikiang.

Gymnodactylus pulcliellus, Gray

. . Pinang, Singapore.

Pentadactylus Borneensis, Giinther

.. Borneo.

„ felinus, Giinther

.. Singapore.

Draco volans, L.

. . Singapore, &c.

, reticulatus, Giinther

.. Philippines.

, Timorensis, Kuhl.

.. Timor.

, eornutus, Giinther

.. Borneo.

, fimbriatus, Kuhl.

.. Java.

spilopterus, Weigm.

... Manilla.

, quinquefasciatus, Gray

.. Pinang.

hsematopogon, Bole

.. Java.

, trimaculatus, Giinther

.. Philippines.

, lineatus, Daud

. . Amboyna, Celebes.

, rostratus, Giinther

.. Borneo.

Japalura Swinhonis, Giinther

.. Formosa.

» polygonata, Hallowell

.. Loochoo.

Bronchocela smaragdina, Giinther

.. Gamboja.

Acanthos aura capra. Giinther

... Chartaboum.

„ coronata, Giinther

.. Chartaboum.

Physignathus Cochin chinensis, Giinther

.. Cochin China.

„ mentager, Giinther

... Chartaboum.

Typhlina lineata, Bole

... Pinang, Hongkong

Typhlops nigro albus, D. et B.

.. Pinang, Singapore.

„ Siamensis, Giinther

.. Siam.

Calamaria quadrim aculata, D. et B

.. Java.

„ albiventer, Gray

... Pinang.

„ nigroalba, Giinther

. .. Pinang.

Oxycalamus longiceps, Cantor

.. Pinang.

Simotes signatus, Giinther

.. Singapore.

„ cinereus, Giinther

.. Gamboja.

„ Swinhonis, Giinther

... Amoy.

„ taeniatus, Giinther

. .. Bankok.

7-(

v

( 229 )

ISimotes Labuanensis, Giintlier
„ fasciolatus, Giinther
„ Cochin cliinensis, Giinther
„ trinotatus, D. et B.
Ablabes baliodirus, Boie

„ melanocephalus, Gray
Cyclophis major, Giinther
Coluber, rufodorsatus, Cantor
„ mandarinus, Cantor
Elaphis dione, Pall.

„ sauromates, Pall.
„ tseniurus, Cope
Zaoccys fuscus, Giinther
„ carinatus, Giinther
„ dhumnades, Cantor
Tropidonotus annularis, Hallowell
„ trianguligerus, Rein.

„ dorsalis, Giinther

„ junceus, Cantor

„ flavipunctatus, Hallowell

„ tigrinus, Boie.

„ leucomelas, Giinther

Prymnomiodon chalceus, Cope
Cantoria elongata, Giinther
Hypsirhina Jagorii, Peters

„ Bennettii, Gray •

„ Chinensis, Gray

Herpeton tentaculatum, Lacep
Phyllophis carinata, Giinther
Dendrophis caudolineatus. Gray
Chrysopelea rubescens, Gray
Dipsas cynodon, Cuv.
Lycodon Laoensis, Giinther
„ rufozonatus. Cantor
Ophites sub-cinctus, Boie

v(.

... Borneo.
... Pachebone.
... Lao mountains.
. . . Pinang, China. ^
... Pinang.

... Malacca, Singapore.
... China.
... China,

... Chusan. '^'

. . . Northern China. "^
. . Ningpo. ^ "^

. . . China, Siam. '^ ^

... Borneo.
... Borneo.
... Chusan, Ningpo.
... China.
... Pinang.

... Chikiang. -"

. . . Pinang, Chikiang.
... Hongkong. - «>

. . . Northern China. 3 7
... Pinang.
... Siam.
... Singapore.
... Siam.
... China.
... China.
... Siam.

... China. ^^

. . . Pinang, Singapore.
... Borneo.

... Malayan Peninsula.
. . . Cochin China.
... Chusan. ^-\

... Pinang.

?w

( .230 )

Amblycephalus boa, Kuhl
Acrochordus Javanicus, Hornst
Bungarus semifasciatus, Kuhl.
Callopliis bivirgatus, Boie

„ gracilis, Gray
Trimeresurus Wagleri, Sclil.
Calloselasma rhodostoma, Rein
Halys Bloralioffii, Boie
„ Pallasii, Giinther

Pinang.

Pinang, Singapore.

China, Formosa. ^^

Malayan Peninsula.

Pinang, Singapore.

Malayan Peninsula.

Siam.

Japan, Formosa. ^

Tartary.

INDEX

OP

GENERA AND SPECIES OF INDIAN REPTILES.

Page

Page

Ablabes 153

BATAGUR

. 19

ACANTHODACTYLUS

. 42

Beddomei, Euprep .

. 52

ACANTHOSAURA.

. Ill

Beddomei, Gymno .

. 88

ACONTIAS

. 67

Beddomei, Sily

. 133

acutus

. 126

Beddomei, Tropidon

. 176

affinis, BATAG .

. 19

Bellia ....

. 10

affinis, OLIGOD

. 149

bellulus ....

. 176

AGAMA .

. 118

Bengalensis

. 145

agilis, AGAM .

, 118

Berdmorei, MoREN .

. 17

agilis, BLEPHAR

, 63

Berdmorei, Tropid

. 48

albiventer

. 149

bicatenata

. 134

albocinctus

. 153

bicatenatus

. 152

albofuscus

. 202

bicolor. Ford .

. 181

albopunctata .

. 62

bicolor, Gerard

. 130

amabilis .

. 153

bicolor, Grot .

. 145

Amboinensis .

. 7

bilineata ....

. 58

Anamallensis, Lycod

. 200

bilineatum

. 138

Anamallensis, Trimes

.

binotatus

. 150

Andamanense

. 74

bistrigatus

. 155

Andamanensis

. 124

bivittata

. 98

Andersoni

. 224

Blanfordiana .

. 115

anguma .

. 64

Blepharosteres .

. 61

angusticeps

. 174

Blythea

. 142

annularis

. 212

Blythianus

. 59

Arakana, (appendix

)

,

BlytMi, MOCOA

. 66

armata

, 112

BIythii, Rhin .

. 130

asper

. 100

boops ....

. 197

ASPIDUEA

. 142

bothriorhynchus

. 122

ATRETIUM

. 179

brachyorros . . . .

. 142

atropurpureum

. 200

BRACHYSAURA

. 110

aulicus

. 199

brachyurus

. 171

aureus

. 74

braminus . . . .
brevicauda . . . .

. 125

. 184

Barnesii .

. 195

brevirostris

. 43

baska

. 25

brevis ....

. 134

232

INDEX.

Page

Page

BRONCHOCELA . . .103

Cocteaui

. 77

brunnea .

. 42

coeruleus

. 215

bubalina

. 197

coUaris

. 1.56

buccata .

. 185

Coluber

. 163

bungaroides .

. 215

COMPSOSOMA . . . .

. 164

BUNGARUS

. 215

condanurus . . . .

. 187

Burtonii .

. 68

conicus

conjunctus (appendix) .

. 207

Cabrita .

. 41

COPHOTIS . . . .

. 100

Cadmtjs .

. 163

Copii

. 143

Calamaria .

. 140

coriacea

. 33

calamaria

. 158

CORONELLA . . . .

. 161

Callophis

. 211

COUANA . . . . .

. 32

Calodactylus

. 74

crassicoUis

. 10

Calotes .

. 105

crassilabris, misprint for la

st .

Cantoria

. 181

cristatella . . . .

. 104

Cantorii, pelo

. 28

Cbocodilus .

. 36

Cantorii, trimes

. 222

cruentatus

, 151

Cantoris, ACANTHO .

. 42

cuneiformis

. 163

Cantoris, Perip

. 80

CUORA ....

. 7

Caretta .

. 33

CURSORIA

. 208

carinata, Cercas

. 201

cyanella ....

. 65

carinata, EcHis

. 218

Cyclemys

. 8

carinatus, trimes

. 221

Cyclophis

. 157

carinatus, Etjprep

. 49

Cylindrophis

, 127

Caspicus .

. 91

Cynophis . . . .

. 167

catenata .

. 141

Cyrtodactylus

. 93

eaten atus

. 159

caudivolvulus .

. 115

Daboia ....

. 217

cerasinus

. 213

Damonia

. 11

cerasogaster .

. 180

Dayana

. 181

Cerberus

. 185

Dayanus ....

. 117

CERCASPIS

.

Dekkanensis .

, 81

Ceylanica

. 100

Dendrophis .

. 190

Ceylonensis, AsPiD

. 143

dentata, batag

. 24

Ceylonensis, Dip

. 196

dentata, cyclem

. 8

Ceylonensis, Trop

. 178

Dermatochelys .

. 33

Ceylonicus

. 216

diadema ....

. 171

Chaibassia .

. 6

Dibamus.

. 69

Chameleo

. 120

DiLOPHYRUS .

. 103

Ch abasia

. 113

DiPsAs ....

. 194

Chelonia

. 33

dispar ....

. 192

Chersydrus .

. 186

donghoka

. 22

Chiamola

. 66

dorsalis, CHARAs

. 114

Chitra .

. 26

dorsalis, OLIG

. 148

chrysopelea

. 190

dracsena ....

. 38

INDEX.

23^

Deaco

Dussumieri, Draco
Dussumicrii, HiNUL
Duvaucelii

Edeniana .

Elachistodon

Elaps

Elegans, Cursor

elegans, Testud

EUiotti, Calotes

EUiotti, Halys

Elliotti, Olig .

EUiotti, SiLYB .

elongata

Emma

Emyda

emys

enhydris

epMppium (appendix)

erythrurus

Eryx

eublepharis .

EUMECES

eupeepes

Falconeria .
fasciatus, BtJNG
fasciatus, Oligod
fasciatus, Terato
fasciolatus, Gymno
fasciolatus, Zamen
Ferania .
flavescens .
flaviceps .
flaviventer

FOEDONIA
formosa .
formosTis ,
Forsteni .
frsenatum
fraenatus, Cyclop
frasnatus, Gymno
fraenatus, Hemi
fronticinctus .
fuBca

Page
. 97
. 97
. 55
. 94

. 12
. 162

. 209
. 208
. 2
. 107
. 225
. 146
. 133
. 3
. 107
. 32
. 4
. 183

, 220

. 207

, 94

. 65

. 49

. 145
. 216
. 147
. 95
. 92
. 170
. 183
. 38
, 216
, 15
, 187
. 58
. 31
, 198
. 190
, 157
, 80
, 78
. 192
, 25

fuscum

Gangeticus, Ghar.

Gangeticus, Trion

Gaudama (appendix)

Gharialis

Gecko

Geckoella

Geomyda

Geophis .

Gerarda .

giganteus

gigas

gokool

gongylophis

Gonyosoma

grandis, Diloph

grandis, Geomyda

grandis, Rhino

grandis, Uropel

gracilis, Gymno

gracilis, Hemi .

gracilis, Odon .

gracilis, Pseudo

gracilis, Zamen

gramineum

gramineus

granosa .

granulatus

Grayanus

Grayii

Grotea .

gularis

Guntherl .

guttatus, LIOLEPIS

guttatus. Gecko

GYMNODACTYLTJS

HAGEIA .
HALYS

HamUtonii
Hardwickii, Eublep,
Hardwickii, RiOPA
Hardwickii, Urom.
Haughtonianus
Helena
Hemidactylus

Page
. 144
. 37
. 28

. 37
. 71
. 96
. 5
. 142
. 180
. 78
. 110
. 197
. 207
. 189
. 103
5
. 131
. 132
. 87
. 76
. 160
. 47
. 170
. 190
. 219
. 32
. 180
. 61
. 31
. 144
. 109
. 136
. 119
. 71
. 80

. 67
. 225
. 11
. 94
. 63
. 119
. 41
. 167
. 75

F 2

234

INDEX,

Herpetoreas
hexagonota
Himalayana .
hexagonotus ,
Himalayanus, Halys
Himalayanus, Stell
Himalayanus, tropid

HiNULIA .
HiPISTES .

Hodgsonii

homaloceplialum

HOMALOPSIS .

HOMOPUS .

Horsfieldii, homopus

Horsfieldii, salea

Horsfieldii, typhlops

Humberti

Humei

Hydrinus .

HYDROSAURUS

HYPNALE

HYPSIRHINA

Indica, Broncho
Indica, Chitra
Indica, Hinul
Indicus .
Intestinalis

Japalura
jar a

Javanicus
Jerdoni, cabrit
Jerdoni, Gymno
Jerdoni, calotes
Jerdoni, ophiops
Jolinii
jubata
junceus .
Jerdoniana

Kachensis

kachuga .

Kanaricus

Kandianus

Karenorun (Appendix)

Kargilensis

Khasiensis, Gymno

Page

. 172

. 195

. 57

. 168

. 225

. 118

. 178

. 54

, 184

. 166

. 73

, 185
. 3
. 3
. Ill
. 121
. 156
. 89
. 184
. 39
. 226
. 182
. 105
. 26
. 54
, 85
. 211

. 101

. 200
. 193
. 42
. 89
. 108
. 44
. 207
. 104
. 176
. 60

. 82
. 19
. 137
. 86

. 60

. 84

Khasiensis, Stoliczkia

Kollegalensis

korros

labialis

Isevis

lateralis .

Lawderanus

Layardi .

LeitMi, Pangshura

Leithii, psammo

Leithii, testudo .

Leschenaultii, Cab .

Leschenanltii, Hemi

Lieolepis

lineata

lineolata .

liocephalus

littoralis .

longicaudatus

lunatiis

Lycodon .

Lyriocephalus

Mabouya
macrolepis pelt
macrolepis Silyb.
mac Clellandii
macrops ,
Macrocalamus
macrotis .
macularius, eublep
macularius, euprep
maculata .
maculatum
maculatus, cylin
maculatus, draco
maculatus, hemi
maculiceps
major
Malabaricus, gymno
malabaricus, cyno

MANOURIA

margaritophorus
Maria
megolonyx
Mesalina

INDEX,

235

Page

Page

meizolepis

. 47

Nikobaricus

. 69

Melanophidium .

. 138

Nikobariensis .

. 157

Melanochelys

. 11

NOTOCHELYS .

. 10

melanurum

. 16.5

novem-carinatus

. 51

melanurus

. 117

Nuthalli ....

. 164

Menurusla (misprint for last]

. 117

Nycteeidium

. 79

microcephalus

. 142

nympba ....

. 160

microlepis, Japal .

. 101

Nymphophidium .

. 161

microlepis, Ophiops

. 46

minor ....

. 113

ocellata, moeen

. 18

mirus ....

. 126

ocellata, silyb

. 133

MOCOA

. 56

ocellatus ....

. 29

modestus, OLIGOD .

. 148

ochracea ....

, 196

modestus, Paeeas .

. 204

ODONTOMUS

. 160

Moluccana

. 104

Oldhami, cyclop .

. 159

molurus ....

. 206

Oldhami, gymno

. 81

monarchus

. 72

Oligodon

. 14.5

monodactyla .

. 68

olivacea ....

. 33

monticola, cycloph

. 158

olivaceus, ablab .

. 155

monticola, eupeep .

. 52

olivaceus, eupeep .

. 51

monticola, ophiops .

. 45

ONYCHOCOPHALUS .

. 126

monticola, Paeeas .

. 203

ophiomachus -

. 106

monticola, teimes .

. 220

Ophiops ....

. 44

monticola, TEOPID .

. 178

Ophites ....

. 202

Mortoni ....

. 78

orientalis

. 161

MOEENIA

. 17

ornata, beachys

. 110

Mouhotii ....

. 9

ornata, cheysopelea .

. 191

mucosus ....

. 168

ornatus ....

. 88

mucrosquamatus ,

. 224

Otoceyptis . ...

. 98

multimaculata

. 194

oxycephalum .

. 189

mutabilis . . . .

. 223

oxyrhynchus .

. 128

mycterizans

. 193

Mysoriensis

. 90

Pulneyensis

. 131

mystaceus . . . .

. 106

palustris ....

. 36

pammeces

. 125

NAJA

.zoi

PANGSHUEA

. 13

nasalis ....

. 158

Paeeas ....

. 203

nebulosuB, VAEAN .

. 39

Passeeita

. 193

nebulosus, GYMNO .

. 84

Peguense

. 26

nemoricola

. 105

Peguensis

. 31

nepa . . . .

. 226

pelochelys .

. 27

NESSIA ....

. 67

PELTOPELOE . . . .

. 225

nigrescens

. 213

Pentadactylus

. 93

nigrilabris

. 107

pentadactylus . . . .

. 70

nigrocinctus .

. 175

pentalineatus .

. 214

nigromarginatus

. 172

Peeipia

. 79

286

INDEX.

Page

Page

Peronii 79

radiatum ....

. 165

Perrotetii, Plect

. 138

Rappii ....

. 1.54

Perrotetii, Teagops

, 191

reticulate

. .166

Petersii .

. 63

reticulata . , . .

. 142

Phayrei .

. 30

reticulatus

. 205

PHRYN0CEPHALU3

. 115

RHINOPHIS

. 128

pictus, DENDROP

. 192

rliyncliops

. 185

pictus, Tet

. 25

RIOPA ....

. 62

planiceps

. 129

Ristella . .

. 54

Pieresi

. 76

Rouxii ....

. 106

PHELSUMA

. 74

rubidus . . . . ,

. 93

planidorsata .

. 102

rubriventer . . . .

. 159

planipes .

. 87

rubromaculata

. 135

platyceps .

. 174

rufus

. 127

platynota

. 10

Russellii. Daboia .

. 217

platynotus

. 2

Russelli. SiMOTES .

. 150

Platysteenon

. 25

platyurus

. 79

sacra

. 57

PLECTRURrrS .

. 135

sag'ittarius

. 155

plumbea .

. 182

salea ....

. Ill

plumbicolor

. 179

salvator ....

. 39

Pondiceriana .

. 102

sanguineus, Plect .

. 136

Pondicerianus

J

sanguineus, Rhinoph

. 130

porosus

. 36

scabricauda

. 136

porphyraceus, Coluber

. 163

schistosum

. 179

porphyraceus, Trimes

. 222

Scblegelii

. 57

porrectus

. 124

scincus ....

. 39

prasinus .

. 191

scriptus ....

. 154

PSAMMODYNASTES

, 188

scutata ....

. 32

PSAMMOPHIS .

. 187

scutatus ....

. 99

P8AMM0SAURUS

. 88

Sebfe ....

. 12

PSEUD0PU8

. 47

semifasciatum

. 164

PTYA8

. 168

semifasciatus, odont

. 160

PTYCHOZOON .

. 73

semifasciatus, Simot

. 151

pulverulentus

. 188

septemlineatus

. 50

punctata, Geck

. 96

sewaare ....

. 29

punctata, RlOP

. 64

sexlineatus

. 41

punctatnm

. 139

Shortii ....

. 134

punctatus

. 128

Siamensis

. 140

punctulatus, SiMOT

. 152

Sieboldii, Feran .

, 184

punctulatus, teopid

. 173

Sieboldii, Herpet .

. 172

purpurascens .

. 194

Sikkimensia

. 56

PYTHON

. 205

SiLYBURA

. 132

Pyxidea .

. 9

simotes ....

. 149

Sisparensis

. 86

quincunciatus . . . .175

SITANA ....

. 102

INDEX.

237

Page

Page

Smithii 15

TRACHISCHIUM

. 144

speciosus .

. 83

trachyprocta . . . .

. 143

epilonotus

. 146

TRAGOPS

. 191

spinipunctatus

. 149

TRAPELUS

. 118

spinosa

. 5

Travankorica, Cercas .

. 201

SPHENOCEPHALTTS

. 70

Travankorica, MOCOA

. 68

squamata

. 33

Travankorica, Ristella

. 54

Stellio .

. 116

Treveleyanus .

. 129

stellatus .

. 30

tricarinata, Chaibassia

. 6

stentor

. 72

tricarinata, CHARASIA .

. 114

stolatus .

. 177

tridactylus

. 70

Stoddartii . ,

. 99

triedrus, gymno

. 85

Stolicykfe

. 59

triedrus HEMI

. 75

Stoliczkia .

. 204

trigonata

. 196

striatus ,

. 199

trigonocephalus, Trimes

. 223

strigatus .

. 224

trijuga

. 12

striolatus

. 122

trilineatus, Eupeep.

. 52

Stoliczkse

. 69

trilineatus, Plect .

. 137

subcristata

. 112

trimaculatus . . .

. 2T2

subgriseus

. 146

TRIMERESURUS

. 219

sublineatus

. 147

TRIONYX

. 28

subminiatus .

. 177

tripudians

. 208

subpunctatus .

. 147

trivittata

. 20

subtricdrus, gymno

. 85

trivittatus

. 50

subtricdrus, HEMI

. 75

TROPIDONOTUS

. 173

Syllietensis

. 15

TROPIDOPHORUS
tuberculatus .

. 48
. 116

TACHYDROMUS

. 40

TYPHLOPS

. 121

tseniolatus

. 65

tseniopterus

. 98

unicolor, FoRBONiA

. 182

Taprobanensis .

. 56

unicolor, Xenopel .

. 140

tectum

. 13

Uromastix .

. 119

Templetonii

. 147

Uropeltis

. 132

Tennentii

. 99

tentoria .

. 14

Varanus

. 38

tenuiceps

. 154

variegata

. 101

tenuicoUis

. 123

variegatus

. 92

TERATOLEPIS .

. 95

ventricosa

. 16

TESTUDO

. 2

ventrimaculatus

. 169

TErRAGONOSOMA

. 200

venustus ....

. 150

TETRAONYX .

. 25

versicolor

. 109

Theobaldi

. 152

virgata ....

. 33

Theobaldianus

. 123

viridis ....

. 110

Thurgi .

. 23

vittata ....

. . 32

Thwaitesii

. 68

vosmacrii

. . 67

TIARIS

. 112

vulgaris ....

. 120

238

INDEX.

Watsonana

Westermanni

Wicksii

Wood-Masoni

Wynaadense

Wynaadensis

Page
. 43
. 162
. 91
. 135
. 138
. 87

Xenopeltis .
Xenochkophis
Xenueelaps .

Page
. 140

, 180
. 215

Zamenis 169

Zaoccys 172

zebrinus 173

SYNOPSIS

OP

THE FAMILIES, GENERA, AND SPECIES

OP

INDIAN CHELONIA, SAURTA, AND OPHIDIA.

Order CHELONIA.
Family TESTUDINID^E.
Toes clubbed for walking on land ; in some species only, partly
webbed. Sternum and thorax united into a bony case. Caudal
plate usually single.

Testudo.
Caudal plate single. Claws 5 "4.
No nuchal plate. Shell rounded ... T. elegans.

No nuchal plate. Shell in adults flat ... T. platynotus.
A long nuchal plate . . . T. elongata.

Nuchal plate triangular ... T. Leithii.

HOMOPUS.
Caudal plate single. Claws 44.
Nuchal plate narrow ... H. Horsfieldii.

Manouria.
Caudal plates double. Pectoral plates separated in males.
Zygomatic arch strong.
Colour wholly black . . . M. emys.

Geomyda.
Caudal plates double. No zygomatic arch.
Plates handsomely black and yellow rayed.. G. grandis.
Each costal armed with a small spine . . . G. spinosa.
Back flat. Black and yellow mottled . . . G. Arakana.

( ii )

Chaibassia.
Characters of Geomyda but a zygomatic arch.
Brown above, black below. Keels yellow . . . C. tricarinata.

Family CISTUDINID^.
Sternum attached by a ligamentous suture, and sometimes
transversely divided as well.

Cuora.
Sternum attached by a ligamentous suture, and divided into
two parts.

Black, blotched below with primrose yellow. C. Amboinensis.

Cyclemys.
Sternum attached by a ligamentous suture, and divided in
adults by the non-anchylosis of the pectoro-abdominal suture.
Young handsomely rayed. Adults uniform. C. dentata.

Pyxidea.

Sternum attached by a ligamentous suture, hut entire in adults.
Colour yellowish, browner on the sides ... P. Mouhotii.

Family EMYDID^.
Feet webbed. Sternum flat or nearly so in both sexes.
Sternum and thorax united into one case. Size small, habits
aquatic. Food animal or mixed.

Bellia.
Shell three keeled in the young. Colour uniform. Zygomatic
arch strong.
Colour uniform brown. Young 3 keeled ... B. crassicoUis.

Damonia.
Shell nodose in the young. Black, yellow spotted.
Colour blackish, yellow spotted ... D. Hamiltonii.

Melanochelys.
Shell 3 keeled. Zygomatic arch slender.
Colour brown, keels paler ... M. trijuga.

Head " red spotted and streaked " . . . M. Sebse.

Head not spotted. Colour black. Keels

yellow .. ... M. Edeniana.

( iii )
Family BATAGURIDvE.

Chelonians raoatly of large size with strong shells.
Herbivorous,

PANGSHUIIA.

Fourth vertebral narrow before, decantershaped.
Back strongly ridged ... P. tectum.

Back flat ••• P- tentoria.

Shell globose ... P. flaviveater,

MORENIA.

Shell ocellated. Small.
Colour pale greyish brown ... M. Berdmorei,

Colour dark ... M. ocellata.

Batagur.
Shell plain or striped, large. Claws 5-4,
Colour, above uniform brown ; beneath

yellowish •■• B. kachuga.

Colour green, with thin black bands.

Nuchal none ... B. affinis.

Colour green, with three black bands.

A small nuchal ... B. trivittata.

Colour gray, with three black bands . . . B. dhongoka.

Colour deep blackish brown ... B. Thurgi.

Colour gray brown above, yellow beneath.

Vertebrals keeled . . . B. dentata'.

Colour, above brown, beneath yellow.

Nuchal triangular . . . B. fusca.

Tetraonyx.
Shell as in Batagur, but claws 4-4.
Uniform brown ••• T. baska.

Family PLATYSTERNID.^.
Platysternon.
Head covered by a horny case.
Head large, covered by a horny case ... P. Peguense.

( iv )

Family CHITRIDiE,
Claws three on all feet. Mandible weak.
Active. Carnivorous, ferocious.

Chitra.

Head elongate.
Head elongate . , , C. Indica.

Pelochellys.
Head broad.
Muzzle short ... P. Cantorii.

Family TRIONYCIDiE.

Claws three on all feet. Mandible strong.
Active. Carnivorous, ferocious.

Trionyx.
No bony plates at the margin.

a. — No onedian ridge on mandible inside.

Head marked with black streaks ... T. Gangeticus,

Head with yellow bar across the snout and

two temporal spots ... T. ocellatus.

Head with the temporal spots but no yel-
low band on the snout ... T. sewaare.

h. — A median ridge inside mandible.
Head yellow mottled . . . T. stellatus.

Head dark marbled. Sternum very carti-
laginous ... T. Phayrei,
Head dark marbled. Sternum normal ... T, Grayii.
Head black dotted . . . T. Peguensis.
(Young) 4 ocelli, beneath " sooty " . . . T. formosus.
(Young) a saddle mark on the back ... T. ephippiura.

Emyda.

Margin of carapace throughout with bony plates.
Shell yellow spotted . . . E. granosa.

Shell striped ... E. vittata.

Shell plain. Odd sternal bone large ... E. scutata.

( V )

Family CHELONIDiE.
Feet fin-shaped. Inhabit the sea only.

Caouna.
Five pairs of costal shields.
Colour mottled reddish brown ... C. olivacea.

Chelonia.
Four pairs of costal shields.
Colour mottled reddish brown ... C. virgata.

Caretta.
Head elongate. Plates imbricate.
Nose beaked, hawk-like ... C. squamata.

Dermatochelys.
Shell coriaceous.
Shell-ribbed. No plates . . . D. coriacea.

Order SAURIA.
A. — Aquatic Saurians. Vent longitudinal.

Family GROCODILID^.
Back protected by osseous scutes.

Crocodilus.
The fourth tooth of the mandible fitting into a notch in the

upper jaw.
Nuchal shields none. Dorsal shields broad.. C. Pondiclierianus.
Nuchal shields none. Dorsal shield normal. C porosus.
Nuchal shields four ... C. palustris.

Garialis.
Snout elongate. Nose humped in males.
Muzzle elongate, slender ... G. Gangeticus.

B, — Land Saurians. Vent transverse.

Family VARANID^.
Lizards of large size, with compressed teeth. Tongue elongate,
slender, forked. Scales non-imbricate, rounded, sub-equal.
Limbs and claws strong. Habits diurnal. Food animal and
carrion.

( vi )

Varanus.
Nostrils between the eye and snout. Tail keeled.
Nostril nearer the nose than the eye .,. V. flavescens.

Nostril between nose and eye. Body black

dotted ... V. dracsena.

Nostril between nose and eye. Body yellow

dotted ... V. lunatus.

An enlarged row of supercilliary scales ... V. nebulosus.

Hydrosaurus.
Nostrils near the end of the snout. Tail keeled.
Dark brown or black transversely white

spotted ... H. salvator.

PsAMMOSAURtrS.
Nostril nearer eye than snout.
Tail rounded ... P. scincus.

Family LACERTID^.

Heaxl covered with symmetrical shields. Tongue slender,
forked. Scales of back granular or rhombic. No side fold.
Limbs well developed. Habits active, diurnal. Food insects.

a. — Eyelids distinct.

Tachydromus,
Dorsal scales large, inguinal pores only.
Dorsal scales in four longitudinal rows ... T. sexlineatus.
Dorsal scales in six longitudinal rows ... T. Haughtonianus.

Cabrita.

Scales in six rows. Femoral pores.
Two small postnasals ... C. Leschenaultii.

One small postnasal ... C brunnea.

Three nasals ... C. Jerdoni.

ACANTHODACTYLUS.

Ventral scales in twelve rows. Femoral pores.
Colour ruddy ash with 6 white lines down

the back ... A. Cantoris.

( vii )

Mesalina.
Nostril between an upper and lower nasal with a minute
postnasal. Prasanal single. Femoral pores.
Ventral shields in twelve rows ... M. breivrostris.

Ventral shields in eight rows . . . M. Watsonana.

b. — Eyelids none.

Ophiops.

Nostril in the muzzle ridge between two or three small
shields. Gular fold none. Femoral pores.
Scales on back in 25 — 28 transverse rows.

One prasfrontal . . . O. Jerdoni.

Scales on back in 25 — 26 rows. Two or

three prsefrontals ... 0. monticola.

Scales of back in 50 transverse rows ... O. microlepis.

Scales of back in 45 transverse rows ... O. meizolepis.

Family ZONURID^.
A distinct longitudinal fold.

PSEUDOPUS.

Body anguiform. Limbs none or rudimentary.
Body spotted with turquoise blue ... P. gracilis.

Family SCINCID^.

Scales imbricate. No gular or lateral fold. No femoral or
prseanal pores. Tongue free, exsertile, bifid at tip. Habits
active, diurnal.

A. — Scales keeled.

Tropidophorus.
Tail spinosely keeled. Olive brown, with

oblique red bars across the back ... T. Berdmorei.

EUPREPES.

Tail without spines.

Section a. — Lower eyelid scaly.
Scales 3 — 5 keeled ... E. carinatus.

Scales 5 — 7 keeled (viviparous) ... E. macularius.

( viii )

Scales 3 keeled. Three white bands ... E. trivittatus.

Scales 3 keeled. Seven narrow white

stripes ••• E. septemlineatus.

Scales 3 keeled. Brownish, irregularly black

streaked ... E. olivaceus.

Scales 9 keeled ... E. novemcarinatus.

Scales strongly 5 keeled. Two indistinct

bands along the back . . . E. rugifera.

Section b. — Lower eyelid with a transparent disk.

Scales with two prominent keels. Sides

white spotted . ... E. monticola.

Scales 6 — 7 keeled. Three white stripes ... E. trilineatus.
Scales (?) keeled. Five pale longitudinal

bands . . . E. Beddomei.

Scales 5 (3 — 4) keeled. Two white lines

on each side ... E. innotatus.

Scales 4 — 6 keeled. Colour above uniform

brown ... E. longicaudatus.

Scales 2 keeled on the back, with a central

yellow band ... E. Petersii.

KiSTELLA.

Body long. Limbs feeble. Toes five.
Claws retractile between the terminal

shields ... R. Travankorica.

4 central rows of scales, with a central spot.. R. Rurkii.

B. — Scales smooth.

HiNULIA.

Lower eyelid scaly.
Scales in 46 transverse rows ... H. Indica.

Scales in 96 transverse rows ... H. maculata.

Scales in 76 transverse rows ... H. Dussumierii.

Four superciliaries. Ears with two lobules

in front ... H. Taprobanensis.

( ix )

MOCOA.

Lower eyelid with a transparent disk. Supranasal none.
Sides dark, white spotted. 2 large prseanals. M. Sikkimmensis.
A dark lateral band. 2 large prseanals ... M. Himalayana.
Colour uniform brown. 4 large prseanals ... M. Schlegelii.
Colour bright bronze. 2 large prseanals ... M. sacra.
No enlarged prseanals ... M. formosa.

A dark lateral band enclosing a white line.

2 large prseanals ... M. bilineata.

A black vertebral line. 2 large prseanals .. . M. Travankorica.
Above dark green, with reticulated black

lines. 2 very large prseanals ... M. Stoliczkse.

Colour brown, with 3 blackish bands and

black and white spots. 2 large prseanals... M. Blythii.
Back blue spotted, between two black rows. M. Kargilensis.
Ear denticulate. 2 large prseanals, greenish

with rows of black dots . . . M. Ladakensis.

Ear opening very wide, circular. 2 large

prseanals ... M. macrotis.

Mabouya.

Lower eyelid with a transparent disk. 2 supranasals.

Colour uniform brown ... M. Jerdoniana.

Blepharosteres.
Eyelid none. Nasal single.
Ears minute or none . . . B. Grayanus.

Ear opening distinct, separated from the last

labial by two enlarged scales ... B. agilis.

RiOPA.
Body long. Limbs feeble. Toes five.

Section a. — Lower eyelid scaly.
Sides white spotted. Tail shorter than "

body ... R. albopunctata.

Tail longer than body • . . . R. lineolata.

Scales between axils in 48 — 56 rows ... R. Hardwickii.

Scales between axils in 78 — 84 . . . R, punctata.

2

( ^ )

A large central occipital shield ... R. anguina.

Central occipital shield small . . . R. cyanella.

EUMECES.

Dorsal scales enlarged.
Scales in 21 longitudinal rows . . . E. tseniolatus.

Scales in 30 longitudinal rows ... E. Blythianus.

Chiamela.
Limbs feeble. Toes four
Scales smooth. Lower eyelid transparent.

Colour golden brown. Toes 4-4 ... C. lineata.

Hagria.
Limbs feeble. Toes five before, four behind.
Scales smooth. Lower eyelid transparent
Colour brown and yellow lined. H. Vosmaerii.

Family ACONTIID^.
Nostrils in the rostral plate. Limbs rudimentary or absent.

ACONTIAS.

Legs entirely absent.
Colour brown ... A. Layardi.

Nessia.

Four rudimentary legs.
Three toes only . . . N. Burtonii.

No hind toes ... N. monodactyla.

Four toes on all feet . , . N. Thwaitesii.

DiBAMUS.

Limbs in male 2. Females limbless.
Scales in 24 longitudinal rows ... D. Nikobaricus.

Family SEPSID^.

Nostrils in a small nasal shield wedged into the rostral.

Sphenocophalus.
Limbs rudimentary, anterior smallest and fitting into a groove.
Toes three ... S. tridactyius.

Toes five ... S. pentedactylus.

( xi )

Family GECKOTID^.

Head triangular. Back granular. Scales of belly rhombic.
Tongue thick and short. Toes generally furnished with trans-
verse pneumatic plates. Tail fragile, reproduced after fracture.
Habits nocturnal. Food insects. Femoral or prseanal pores
usually present in the males.

A. — Eyelids none.
a. — Phalanges with undivided "pneumatic 'plates below.

Gecko.

Four claws on each foot. No lateral cutaneous expansion on
sides or tail.

No enlarged subcaudals ... G. guttatus.

Subcaudals enlarged ... G. stentor.

Subcaudals band-like, irregular ... G. monarchus.

Ptychozoon.

Four claws on each foot. Sides and tail with cutaneous
expansions.
Skin of sides and tail expanded ... P. homalocephalum.

Phelsuma.
Claws none. Pupil circular.
Claws none ... P. Andamanense.

6. — Phalanges with divided pneumatic plates below.

Calodactylus.

Toes dilated throughout, with two sets,

terminal and basal, of pneumatic plates

on the four outer toes.
Golden yellow speckled with brown ... C. aureus.

Hemihactylus.

Five claws on each foot, no lateral cutaneous expansions.
Large triangular tubercles scattered over

the back ... H. triedrus.

Tubercles smaller than the last . . . H. sub-triedrus.

( xii )

Scattered tubercles of moderate size. Grows

to 55 inches ... H. maculatua.

Similar to maculatus but grows to 9' 5 inches H. Piersii.

Back granular, with rows of sub-trihedral,

elongate, equal tubercles ... H. gracilis.

A few tubercles only in the sacral region ... H. Cocteaui.

Back with flat scattered tubercles ... H. Leschenaultii.

Allied to ' Cocteaui ' but twice the size ... H. giganteus.

Back granular, with two lines of distant

tubercles down the sides. Thumb small.. H. faeuatus.

Thumb well developed ... H. Mortoni.

Nycteridium.

Five claws on each foot. Sides with a cutaneous expanded fold
Back granular. Tail with serrated edges .. . N. Schniederi.
Back granular. A median row of subcau-

dal plates ... N. Gaudama.

Back with numerous longitudinal rows of

tubercles ... N. Karenorum.

Peripia.

Four claws before, five behind. No lateral cutaneous
expansion.

Three pairs of elongate chin shields ... P. Peronii.

No chin shields ... P. Cantoris.

Undivided 'pneumatic plates at the base of the toes.

Gymnodactylus.
Toes with undivided pneumatic plates
below on their basal joints, not forming
disks. Claws five on all toes. Tail
depressed.

Section a. — Pupil vertical.
Back granular, with 6 — 8 rows of very

small tubercles ... G. frasuatu.s.

Body covered with flat sub-equal tubercles.. G. Dekkanensis.

( ^iii )

Body with larger tubercles interspersed

among the granular ones ... G. Lawderanus.

Back with 30 rows of larger tubercles . . . G. Oldhami.
Back with 12 — 14 rows of large keeled tu-
bercles separated by granular scales ... G. Kachensis.
Back granular, subcaudals not enlarged.

Three white bars across the body ... G. speciosus.

Back granular. Subcaudals not enlarged.

Four dark, white edged, 8-shaped spots

across body . . . G. Kollegalensis.

Back thickly covered with small trihedral

tubercles. Subcaudals not enlarged. A

line of arrow-headed spots down either

side of spine . . . G. Khasiensis.

Back granular, with many enlarged scales.

Colour brown, clouded with dark blotches Q. nebulosus.
Back profusely studded with small trihedral

tubercles ... G. triedrus.

Section b. — Pupil circular.

Back coarsely granular ... G. Indicus.

Back finely granular, with a few acute tu-
bercles ... G. Kandianus,

Back finely granular, with a few enlarged

scales ... G. Sisparensis.

Back granular, A black blotch on the nape G. planipes.

Back coarsely granular with some enlarged
scales. A vertebral row of a white
blotches ... G. gracilis.

Back finely granular with some enlarged

scales. Blackish with brown mottlings... G. Wynaadensis.

Back finely granular, with some enlarged

scales. White marks on head and body. . . G. omatus.

Back coarsely granular with some enlarged
scales. Blackish, clouded with greyish
white ... G, Beddomei.

( xiv )

Back granular. A row of spines down

either side ... G. Jerdoni.

Back finely granular, with some enlarged
scales, and some reflected spines along
the belly ' ... Q. Humei.

(Shape of pupil not recorded. )

Back granular v/ith 2 or 3 distant rows of

spines down each side ... G. Mysoriensis.

Back granular. A black spot on the nape.
Some pale marks on back and tail. Chin
yellow . . . G. littoralis.

Back granular. Scales on the tail large and

imbricate. A white spot on the nape ... G. Malabaricus.

Back with keeled tubercles, with some
larger ones mixed. A vertebral row of
white spots . . . G. Wicksii,

Back with numerous rows of large keeled
tubercles. 5 or 6 rows indistinct dark
spots across the back ... G. Kaspicus.

Back granular, with transverse rows of tri-
hedral tubercles. Two black collars on
occiput and neck, and 7 black cross bars
on the body . . . G. fasciolatus.

Back granular, with numerous enlarged tri-
hedral tubercles. Body black spotted.
Tail black barred . . . G. variegatus.

Cyrtodactylus.
Toes as in Gyinnodactylus. Tail cylindrical.
Back with small and large tubercles mixed. C. rubidus.

Pentadactylus.

Toes as in Gymnodactylus. Claws retractile within a com-
pressed bilobed sheath.
Prseanal pores in five concentric rows ... P. Duvaucelii.

( XV )

B. — Eyelids present.

EUBLEPHARIS.

No pneumatic plates below.
Eyelids present. Back tubercular, head

black above, back black barred ... E. Hardwickii.

Similar to the last, but head marbled with

ocelli and bars on body interrupted ... E. macularius.

Teratolepis.

Toes with divided pneumatic plates below,

not formino- disks. Back covered with

imbricate scales.
Toes with plates below. Back scaled ... T. fasciatus.

Geckoella.

Back tubercular, no prseanal pores.
Toes thick at the base, ends slender, back

tubercular ... G. punctata.

Family AGAMID^.

Lizards of small or moderate size.
Head covered with numerous convex shields. Tongue thick
attached : not, or but slightly notched in front. Tail long, not
fragile. Eyelids present. Habits diurnal. Food generally insects.

A. — Femoral or prceanal pores none. {Tree Lizards.)

a. — Toes Jive on all feet.

Draco,

Skin of sides expanded into a parachute.

Tympanum scaly ... D. maculatus.

Tympanum naked. A horn-like tubercle

behind the orbit ... D. Dussumieri.

Tympanum naked. No postorbital tubercle D. tseniopterus.

Otocryptis,
No parachute. Tympanum hidden. Gular sack in males.
Hind legs longer than body.
Limbs long. A gular sack in males ... 0. bivittata.

( xvi )

Lyriocephalus.
Nose humped or horned in males
Nose humped. A gular sack ... L. scutatus.

Nose horned. No gular sack ... L. Stoddartii.

Nose surmounted by a scaled fleshy appen-
dage. No gular sack ... L. Tennentii.
Nose surmounted by a cylindrical fleshy

appendage. No gular sack ... L. asper.

COPHOTIS.

Body covered with very large irregular scales.
A small tubercle behind the rostral in males.

A gular sack in both sexes ... C Ceylonica.

Japalura.

Body covered with small scales with larger interspersed. Hind

legs shorter than body.
A gular sack in males ; and a throat fold in

both sexes. Back variegated ... J. variegata.

Like the last, but smaller scales ... J. microlepis.

Back flat without nuchal or dorsal crest ... J. planidorsata.

c. — Fou7' toes only on hind feet.

SiTANA.

Tympanum naked. Gular sack large. Dorsal crest none.
Toes 5*4. A gular sack in males ... S. Pondiceriana.

DiLOPHYRUS.

Gular sack small. Nuchal and dorsal crest very large.
G alar sack small. Tail very long ... D. grandis.

d. — Five toes on all feet. Tympanum, naked.

Bronchocela.

Scales of back equal. Tips directed backwards and downwards.
About 40 scales between vertebral line and

belly ... B. cristatella.

( xvii )

About 20 scales between vertebral line and
belly. Enlarged scales between the eye
and tympanum ... B. jubata.

Colour olive. A white streak from eye to

tympanum ... B. Indica.

Brachysaura.

Head enormous, otherwise like Calotes.
Head enormous ... B. ornata.

Calotes.

Scales of back equal, tips directed backwards and upwards.

a. — A fold before the shoulder,

A detached spine in front of some smaller

ones on each side of the nape ... C. nemoricola.

Two groups of small spines over each tym-
panum . . . C. mystaceus.

Two small groups of spines on each side of

the neck . . . C. Rouxii.

A single series of spines over the tympanum C. ophiomachus.

A spine behind the superciliary ridge ... C. Elliotti.

Three to six spines behind the tympanum... C. nigrilabris.

Three small groups of spines on each side

of the head ... C. Emma.

Enlarged spiny scales over the tympanum... C. Maria.

Colour green with a red stripe on either

side of spine ... C. Jerdoni.

Two inconspicuous ridges of spines over the

tympanum . . . C. gularis.

No spines on the side of the head . . . C. liocephalus.

h. — No fold before the shoulder.

Two small groups of spines over the tympa-
num . . . C. versicolor.

Like 'versicolor' but larger. No gular

sack ..• C. gigas.

Colour green ... C. viridis.

( xviii )

Salea.

Scales of back strongly keeled and directed backwards. Nasal
pentagonal.
Nasal pentagonal resting on the first labial.

Colour green, white spotted . . . S. Horsfieldii.

ACANTHOSAURA.
Scales of the sides very small, smooth or quadrangular, with

larger keeled scales interspersed. A spine behind the orbit.

Scales small, with large ones intermixed.
Colour greenish, with lighter spots. No
gular sack ... A. armata.

TiARIS.

Scales on the back small, with larger ones interspersed. A gular
sack in males.
Like Acanthosaura, but no gular sack . . . T. subcristata.

{Mock or ground lizards.)
Charasia.

Scales of sides small, with larger ones irregularly interspersed.

a. — Tail round. A gular sack.

Scales of sides and belly equal . . . C. minor.

Scales of belly conspicuously larger ... C. major.

6. — Tail round. No gular sack.
A slightly enlarged occipital scale . . . C. tricarinata.

c. — Tail compressed. Suh-verticillate.

Scales sub-imbricate, keeled with enlarged

ones intermixed . . . C. dorsalis.

Like ' dorsalis,' but with larger scales ... C. Blanfordiana.

d. — Tympanum hidden.
Phrynocephalus.
Scales small ; a few larger ones on the sacral region. Tail
rounded, not verticillate.
Scales small, equal. Males with a black

belly patch ... P. caudi volvulus.

( xix )

B. — Prceanal or femoral pores, or callous scales in their place.

Tympanum naked.

Stellio.
Scales unequal in size. Tail rounded, more or less verticillate,

callous scales in place of pores.

Enlarged scales in 13 to 17 rows, not conti-
nued on the neck ... S. tuberculatus.

Enlarged scales in 8 rows ... S. melanurus.

Enlarged scales continued on the neck . . . S. Dayanus.

Enlarged scales smooth ... S. Himalayanus.

Trapelus.

Scales unequal in size. Tail rounded.

Non-verticillate. Anal pores present.
Femoral pores none. Paratoids unarmed ... T. megalonyx.

Agama.

Scales rhombic, keeled. Tail elongate, non-verticillate.
Paratoids armed with spines. Anal pores.
Femoral pores none. ... A. agilis.

(Sand lizards, burrowers, gregarious.)
Scales of back granular. Tympanum naked.

Leiolepis.

Skin of sides lax, forming a pseudo-parachute.

Femoral pores. Herbivorous.
Sides handsomely barred ... L. guttatus.

Uromastix.

Scales of back granular. Tympanum naked. No pseudo-
parachute. Femoral and prseanal pores. Herbivorous.
Tail excessively spiny. Colours dull ... U. Hardwickii.

Family CHAMiELIONID.E.

Tail prehensile. Toes zygodactylous. Eyes telescopic, moving
independently. Habits diurnal. Food insects.

( XX )

Cham^leo.
Characters of order, '

Colours vary under emotion ... C. vulgaris.

Order OPHIDIA.

Sub-Order. — Innocuous Snakes.

Poison gland, none.

Family TYPHLOPID^.

Ventral scales not enlarged. Mental groove none. Upper
labials four. Snout covered with large shields. Rostral rounded.

Typhlops,

Frontinasal in contact with second labial.

Scales in 26 longitudinal rows ... T. Horsfieldii.

Scales in 24 longitudinal rows. Snout sim-
ple ... T. striolatus.

Scales in 24 longitudinal rows. Snout

grooved ... T. bothriorhynchus.

Scales in 22 longitudinal rows. Tail long... T. Theobaldanus.

Scales in 22 longitudinal rows. Tail short.. T. tenuicollis.

Scales in 18 longitudinal rows. Body very

slender ... T. porrectus.

Scales in 18 longitudinal rows. A lower

prseocular . . . T. Andamanensis.

Frontinasals separated from the labials.

Scales in 20 longitudinal rows. Habit

moderate . . . T. braminus.

Scales in 20 longitudinal rows. Habit very

slender ... T. pammeces.

Scales in 18 longitudinal rows. One prse-

and one sub-ocular ... T. mirus.

Onychocephalus.
Snout covered with large shields. Rostral sharp edged in front.
Bronze above, yellowish below ... 0. acutus.

( xxi )

Family TORTRIClDiE.
Ventral scales slightly enlarged. A mental groove. Upper
labials four.

Cylindrophis.

Nostril in a large undivided nasal. Eye small. Pupil round.
Width of interocular space longer than the

snout ... C. rufus.

Width of interocular space equal to that of

the snout ... C. maculatus.

Family UROPELTID^.

Tail truncated, short. Terminating in a rough disk or covered
with keeled scales.

Rhinophis.

Nasals separated by the rostral

Rostral keeled above. Brownish . . . R, oxyrhynchus.

Rostral keeled above. Yellowish, black

dotted ... R. punctatus.

Rostral much less than half the length of

the head . . . R. -planiceps.

A row of triangular white spots along the

sides ... R. Trevelyanus.

Belly and sides red, with black spots ... R. sanguineus.
Caudal very small, snout pointed ... R. Bly thii.

Caudal very small, snout obtuse . . . R. Pulneyensis.

Caudal small, bicuspid ... R. grandis.

Uropeltis.

Tail terminating in a flat rough scaleless shield.
Tail obliquely truncated, disk scabrous ... U. grandis.

SiLYBURA.

The supraorbital and postocular united.

Terminal scale of tail horizontal.
Disk flat, scales on it, 1 — 2 keeled ... S. macrolepis.

( xxii )

Bisk ill-defined ... S. Beddoraei.

Disk long. Scales on it with 3 — 4 keels ... S. ocellata.
Disk ill-defined, long. Scales on it with 3 —

4 keels . . . S. Elliottii.

Disk flat, with a terminal bicuspid scale.

Scales black with a yellow margin ... S. bicatenata.

Disk flat with a terminal bicuspid scale.

Black with some white scales ... S. Shortii.

Disk flat. Scales on it 2 keeled ... S brevis.

Disk prominently 2 keeled, red blotches on

the sides ... S. rubromaculata.

Disk ill-defined. Black, brownish anteriorly S. Wood-Masoni.

Plectrurus.

The supraorbital and postocular distinct. Terminal scale of

tail vertical.
Scales in 15 rows. Uniform brown ... P. Perrotetii.

Scales in 15 rows. Purple above, yellow

below ... P. Giintheri.

Scales in 15 rows. Top of tail flattened

vertically ... P. scabricauda.

Scales in 15 rows. Caudal disk vertically

compressed (laterally). Scales on it 3 — 5

keeled ... P. Kanaricus.

Scales in 15 rows. Terminal scale of disk,

pustulose above, grooved below ... P. trilineatus.

Scales in 17 rows. Black above, red below. P. sanguineus.

Melanophedium.

Scales of tail smooth. Tail ending in a horny point.
Terminal scale pointed. Black ... M. Wynaadense.

Terminal scale pointed. Black, with lateral

yellow stripe ... M. bilineatum.

Terminal scale bicuspid. Black above,

whitish below . . . M. punctatum.

( xxiii )

Family CALAMARIDvE.

Snakes of small or moderate size, with some of the head shields
united. Loreal none.

Calamaria.
One pair of frontals. Four or five upper labials.
11 Black lines down the back ... C. Siamensia.

4 black lines down the back . . . C. catenata.

Macrocalamus.
One pair of frontals. Eight upper labials. M. lateralis.

Blythea.

Two pair of frontals. Six upper labials. Anal bifid.
Colour black ... B. reticulata.

Geophis.

Two pair of frontals. Five or six upper labials. Anal entire.
3 rows of dark spots down the back ... G. microcephalus.

Aspidura.

One anterior frontal.

Belly white ... A. brachyorros.

Belly marked with black ... A. trachyprocta.

No preecular. Belly marked with black ... A. Copii.

Belly dull yellowish, immaculate ... A. Cylonensis.

Family OLIGODONTIDA

Head not distinct from neck. Maxillary teeth few, the last
enlarged, not grooved. Rostral large, extended backwards.
Pupil round.

Trachischium.

Scales in 13 rows, granulosely keeled in theischiatic region only.
Colour brownish black, obscurely pale
streak ... T. fuscum.

( xxiv )

Grotea.
Scales smooth in 17 rows. One prsefrontal and one postfrontal.
Plumbeous above, white below ... G. bicolor.

Falconeria.
Scales faintly keeled in 17 rows. One prsefrontal, two post-

frontals.
Five upper labials ... F. Bengalensis.

Oligodon.
Scales smooth in 15 to 17 rows. Two postfrontals.

Scales in 15 rows.

7 upper labials. Belly white. Irregular

black cross streaks on back ... 0. sub-griseus.

7 upper labials. Belly white. Back with

17 8-shaped brown spots ... O. spilonotus.

7 upper labials. Belly white. Back with

37 large rhombic black spots ... 0. Elliotti.

8 or 9 upper labials. Belly white: (scales?

rows). Scuta black dotted . . . 0. sub-punctatus.

7 upper labials. Belly irregularly brown

spotted ... O. fasciatus.

7 upper labials. Belly with three series of

brown dots ... O. sub-lineatus.

7 upper labials. Belly with quadrangular

black spots ... 0. Templetonii.

6 upper labials. Belly with quadrangular

black spots. Loreal none . . . O. modestus.

7 upper labials. Belly with quadrangular

black spots. A yellow vertebral line ... 0. dorsalis.

7 upper labials. Belly with quadrangular

black spots. One pair of frontals . . . O. brevicauda.

Scales in 17 rows.

8 or 9 upper labials. Belly white ... 0. spinipunctatus.
7 upper labials. Belly with quadrangular

black spots ... 0. affinis.

( XXV )
SiMOTES.

Scales smooth, in 17 to 21 rows. Prefrontals narrow. Nasals
two.

Scales in 17 rows. Anal bifid. Loreal none.

Belly white . . . S, albiventer.

Belly black checquered ... S. venustus.

Scales in 17 rows. Anal bifid. Loreal present.

Belly white. Back, black barred ... S. Russellii.

Belly white. Back chequered with lozenge

spots ... S. binotatus.

Belly black blotched. Tail red beneath ... S. cruentatus.
(Anal ?). Belly black blotched. 2 Prse-

oculars ... S. semifasciatus.

Belly with square black spots. Back with

narrow black bars . . . S. Theobaldi.

Scales in 19 rows. Anal entire. Loreal present.

One or two equal prseoculars. Belly

blotched ... S. punctatus.

Lower prseocular smallest. Scuta with a

dot on the side ... S. bicatenatus.

Back barred with dark edged white stripes S. albocinctus.

Back barred with black edged yellow bars.

One scale broad . . . S. amabilis.

Family COLUBRID^.

Group a.

CORONELLINA.

Snakes of small size, sub-equal teeth and smooth scales in 13
to 17 rows.

Ablabes.

<

Yentrals not keeled. One loreal, two nasals.
Scales in 13 rows. Keeled in the ischiatic

region in the male. Upper labials six ... A. tenuiceps.

4

( xxvi )

Scales in 13 rows. Upper labials eight.

Loreal very small ... A. scripfcus.

Scales in 15 rows. Upper labials six ... A. Rappii,
Scales in 17 rows. Upper labials five. Two

prseoculars. One nasal ... A. olivaceus.

Scales in 17 rows. Upper labials 7. Loreal

united with postnasal ... A. Nicobarensis,

Scales in 17 rows. Upper labials seven.

One prseocular ... A. Sagittarius.

Scales in 17 rows. Upper labials ten. Two

posterior temporals : head black ... A. bistrigatus.

Scales in 17 rows. Upper labials ten. Two

posterior temporals : head brown ... A. Humberti.

Scales in 17 rows. Upper labials ten. One

posterior temporal ... A. coUaris.

Cyclophis.

Scales in 15 rows. One nasal.

Anterior part of body with black longitu-
dinal bands ... C. frsenatus.

Loreal united to nasal. One prseocular ... C. calamaria.

Loreal united to nasal. Two prseoculars . . . C. nasalis.

Loreal longer than high. 6 upper labials.

Anal bifid ... C, monticola.

Loreal small. 6 upper labials. Anal entire. C. catenatus.

Nasal divided posteriorly. Three last

upper labials sub-equal ... C rabri venter.

Nasals two ... C, Oldhami,

Odontomxts,
Scales in 13 to 15 rows.. Ventrals keeled.
Scales in 13 rows. Upper labials eight.

Anal bifid ... 0. nympha.

Scales in 13 rows. Upper labials seven.

Anal bifid ... 0. semifasciatus.

Scales in 15 rows. Upper labials eight.

Anal entire ... 0. gracilis.

( xxvii )

CORONELLA.

Scales in 17 to 23 rows. Ventrals not

keeled.
Brown, with white collar ... C. orientalis.

Nymphophidium.

Two bony processes from the base of the skull, which protrude
through the mucous membrane of the mouth.
Brown, with two rows of dark spots ... N. maculatum.

Elachistodok

The spinous processes of the cervical verte-
brae protrude through the lining of throat
forming gular and ceisophageal teeth.

Brown, with a yellow vertibral stripe ... E. Westermanni.

Group h. — Coluhrina.
Snakes of moderate or large size. Scales in not less than 19
rows (except in Ptyas), often up to 27 rows smooth or keeled.

Cadmus.

Scales smooth in 27 rows. Head cuneiform.
Rostral large. Nasals two ... C. cuneiformis.

Coluber. .

Scales smooth or partly keeled in 19 to 27 rows. One loreal.
2 prseoculars.

Scales in 19 rows. Upper labials 8 ... C. porphyraceus.

Scales in 23 rows ... C. Nuthali.

COMPSOSOMA.

Scales keeled in 19 to 23 rows. 1 prasocular.
Scales in 19 rows, smooth, with two minute

apical grooves ... C. semifasciatum.

Scales in 19 rows, keeled. Posteriorly

blackish ... C. melanurum.

Scales in 19 rows, keeled. A black streak

across the end of the occipitals ... C. radiatum.

( xxviii )

Scales in 21 rows, keeled. Numerous reti-
culating pale bands ... C. reticulare.
Scales in 23 rows, keeled . . . C. Hodgsonii.

Cynophis.

Scales keeled or with apical grooves in 25 to 27 rows. 1
prseocular.

Scales in 25 rows ... C. Malabaricus.

Scales in 27 rows . . . C. Helena.

Ptyas.

Loreals 1 to 3. Scales in from 15 to 17 rows. Smooth or
faintly keeled.

Scales smooth in 17 rows. Loreal one ... P. hexagonotus.
Scales partly keeled in 17 rows. Loreals

three ... P. mucosus.

Scales mostly smooth in 15 rows. Loreals

two ... P. korros.

Zamenis.
An interspace before the lengthened posterior maxillary teeth.

Scales in 19 rows, A semi-circular shield

behind each occipital ... Z. ventrimaculatus.

Scales in 21 rows. Upper labials nine.

Anal bifid ... Z. gracilis.

Scales in 21 — 23 rows. Upper labials eight.

Anal bifid ... Z. fasciolatus.

Scales in 23 rows. Anal entire ... Z. brachyurus.

Scales in 29 rows. Loreals three or four ... Z. diadema.

Group c. — JDryadina.
Tree colubrines. Body rather compressed.

Zaoccys.

Scales in 14 or 16 rows.

One loreal. Four median rows of scales,

keeled ... Z. nigromarginatus.

( xxix )

HeRPET> 'REAS.

Last lengthened maxillary in a continuous line with the rest.
Ventrals strongly bent at the side ... H. Sieboldii.

Group d. — Natricina.
Freshwater Colubrines.

Tropidonotus.
Scales keeled. Two prsefrontals,

Scales smooth in 15 rows,

1 prseocular. 3 postoculars ... T. punctulatus.

1 pr^eocular. 3 postoculars. Nape black

banded ... T. zebrinus.

Scales smooth in females, faintly keeled in males in 19 rows.
TJpperlabials 8. 1 prseocular. 2 postoculars T. platyceps.

Scales keeled in 17 rows. Upper labials 8.

1 praeocular. 3 postoculars ... T. macrops.

2, 3 or 4 praeoculars. 4 or 5 postoculars ... T. angusticeps.
Penultimate and preceding upper labial

large ... T. nigrocinctus.

Scales keeled in 19 rows. 9 upper labials, 3 entering the orbit.

" Well developed valvules in the nostrils " T. quincunciatus.
Occipitals larger than vertical ... T. junceus.

Occipitals nearly equal, vertical and post-

frontals ... T. Beddomei.

Prsefrontals smaller though longer than

postfrontals . . . T. bellulus.

Scales keeled in 19 rows. 8 upper labials, 3 entering the orbit.

Praefrontals sub-truncate in front . . . T. subminiatus,

Prsefrontals pointed in front ... T. stolatus.

Prsefrontals truncated in front. Green with

black cross bars . . . T. monticola.

-:.St

( XXX )

Scales keeled in 19 rows. 8 upper labials, 2 entering the orbit.

One prseocular. Three postoculars . . . T. Himalayanus.

Two prseoculars. Three postoculars ... T. Ceylonensis.

Scales keeled in 25 rows. 7 upper labials, 2 entering the orbit.

Two prseoculars. Three postoculars ... T. plumbicolor.

(Note. — The number of scales is that in the centre of the body,
on the neck there are two more rows.)

Atretium.

Scales keeled. One prsefrontal.
Back blackish olive ... A. schistosum.

Xenocrophis.

Scales keeled. One nasal.
Belly purple ; dark mottled ... X. cerasogaster.

Family HOMALOPSID^.

Freshwater or estuarine snakes. Nasals large. Nostrils
small, valvular. Eye small. Ventrals narrow. Caudals bifid.

a. — Scales smooth.

Gerarda.
Scales in 17 rows. One prefrontal.
Muddy olive with white lateral line ... G. bicolor.

Cantoria.
Scales in 19 rows. A ring of orbital plates.
Dull yellow with numerous dark bands . . . C. Dayana.

FORDONTA.

Scales in 2.5 to 29 rows. One prefrontal.
Eye over the fifth labial ... F. bicolor.

Eye over the third labial . . . F. unicolor.

HYrSIRHINA.

Scales in 19 to 23 rows. One prsefrontal.
Scales in 19 rows ... H. plumbea.

Scales in 21 rows ... H. enhj'dris.

( xxxi )

Ferania.
Scales in 27 rows. Two praefrontals.
Scales in 29 rows. Two small praefrontals... F. Sieboldii.

HiPISTES.

Scales in 39 rows.
Colouration of a Hydrophis . . . H. hydrinus.

6. — Scaler heeled.

Cerberus.

Occiput scaly.
A ring of orbital shields ... C. rhynchops.

HOMALOPSIS.

Occiput shielded.
Brownish olive with dark bars . . . H. buccata.

Family ACROCHORDID^.
Head covered with scales. Nostrils at the top of the snout.
Viviparous.

Chersydrus.

Scales tubercular in over 100 rows.
Colour yellow and gray, banded . . . C. granulatus.

Family PSAMMOPHID^.
Scales smooth. Head distinct. Eye round or vertical. The
last maxillary tooth grooved,

PSAMMOPHIS.

Scales lanceolate in 15 to 19 rows

Anal bifid. Prseocular does not reach ver-
tical ... P. condanurus.

Anal entire. Prseocular reaches to the ver-
tical ... P. Leithii.

Ps AMMOD YN ASTES .

Scales short, rhombic in 17 rows.
Head short and thick. Long fangs in

front ... P. pulverulentus.

( xxxii )

Family DENDROPHID^.

Body compressed, elongate. Scales narrow. Pupil round.

GONYOSOMA.

Scales in 19 — 25 rows. Two nasals. Green,
Scales in 25 rows ... G, oxycephalum.

Scales in 19 rows, Loreal present ... G. gramineum.

Scales in 19 rows. Loreal none ... G, frsenatum,

Dendrophis.

Scales in 13 to 15 rows. Ventrals keeled.
Colour bronze with a black edged yellow

lateral band ... D. pictus.

Chrysopelea.

Scales in 15 to 17 rows. Ventrals tripartibly keeled.
Black with yellow spots ... C. ornata.

Family DRYIOPHID^E.

Pupil horizontal, linear.

Tragops.

Snout pointed.
Loreal none . . . T, Perroteti.

Loreal present, 9 upper labials . . . T. prasinus.

Loreal present, 8 upper labials . . . T. dispar.

Nasal very elongate, separates the rostral

from the prsefrontals ... T, fronticinctus.

The fifth upper labial nearly equal the

sixth ... T, Javanicus.

Passerita.

Snout with a flexible appendage.

A yellow band along either side of belly ... P. mycterizans.
Belly without bands ... P. purpurascens.

Family DISADID^.
Tree snakes with compressed body and short trigonal head.

( xxxiii )

DiPSAS.
Body compressed. Head very distinct from neck.
Scales in 17 — 19 rows. Four rows of spots

down the back . . . D. multimaculata.

Scales in 19 rows. Dark gray finely pow-
dered with brown . . . D. Barnesii,
Scales in 17 — 21 rows. Reddish brown.

Anal bifid . . . D. hexagonota.

Scales in 17 — 19 rows. Uniform ochraceous. D, ochracea.
Scales in 19 — 21 rows. Yellowish with a
black edged pale zig-zag band down the
back . . . D. trigonata.

Scales in 19 — 21 rows. Light brown with

a double row of black dorsal spots ... D. Ceylonensis.

Scales in 21 rows. Green. Anal entire ... D. bubalina.
Scales in 21 rows. A straight yellow ver-
tebral line . . . D Gokool.
Scales in 21 rows. Reddish spotted with
brown and black in longitudinal and
transverse rows ... D. boops.
Scales in 25 — 27 rows. Nostril rounded,

below prsefrontal ... D. Forsteni.

Family LYCODONTID^.

Head depressed. Eye small. An enlarged maxillary tooth in
front.

a. — Scales smooth.

Lycodon.
Loreal present. Two nasals.

One loreal. Prseocular in contact with

vertical ... L. aulicus.

One loreal. Praeocular not in contact with

vertical ... L. striatus.

One loreal pointed behind ... L. jara.

Two loreals ... L. Anamallensis.

5

( xxxiv )

Tetragonosoma.

Loreal none. Two nasals.

Loreal none. Purple, marbled with black

and white ... T. atropurpureura,

6. — Scales keeled or grooved.

Ophites.

Scales in 17 rows.
Pale reddish with 50 brown cross bands ... O. albofuscus.
Two yellow dots on each scale ... 0. jara.

Cercaspis.

Scales in 17 to 19 rows. Subcaudals entire.
Colour black, encircled with white rings ... C. carinata.
Colour black with white bars ... C. Travankorica,

Family AMBLYCEPHALIDiE.

Body slender, compressed. Head short, distinct. Nasal on^.
Mandible not expansile.

Pareas.
Caudals bifid.
Loreal none. A small lower prseocular ... P. monticola.
Loreal none. One large prseocular ... P. Igevis.

Loreal small ... P. margaritophorus.

Loreal moderate. Two small prseoculars ... P. modestus.

Family XENOPELTID^.
Occiput covered by five shields. Eye small.

Xenopeltis.

Scales lustrous, smooth in 15 rows.
5 occipitals. Loreal none ... X. unicolor.

Family PYTHONID^.

Large snakes with a spur-like prominence in adults, indicating
an aborted pelvic limb, on each side of the vent.

( XXXV )

Python,

The anterior portion only of the crown covered with symme-
trical shields.
A black median line from the rostral to

neck ... P. reticulatus.

A brown lanceolate spot on the crown and

nape ... P. molurus.

Family ERYCID^.

Tail short. Caudals entire. In adults a short conical promi-
nence in a groove on each side of the vent.

CURSORIA.
Scales smooth.
Scales smooth. A pair of small frontals . . . C. elegans.

GONGYLOPHIS.
Scales keeled. Mental groove none.
A dorsal series of quadrangular blotches. No

mental groove ... G. conicua.

Eryx.

Scales keeled. Mental groove present.
Adult reddish brown. A mental groove.

Scales keeled ... E. Johnii.

II.— SUB-ORDER POISONOUS COLUBRINE SNAKES.
A poison gland present. A short grooved non-erectile poison
fang.

Family ELAPID^E.
Tail conical. Terrestrial. Pupil round. Loreal none.

Naija.

Neck more or less dilatable. Scales smooth in 15 rows on th©
body.

A well marked hood on the neck ' ... N. tripudians.

No hood. Some caudals undivided . . . N. cla

( xxxvi )
BUNGARUS.

Scales smooth in 15 rows. The vertebral scales enlarged. Body-
ridged.

Black, marked more or less with white ... B cseruleus.
Black and yellow banded ..". B. fasciatus.

Head and vertebral line bright red ... B. flaviceps.

Callophis.

Body sub-cylindrical, very long and slender. Scales smooth
in 13 rows.

6 upper labials. A vermilion vertebral line C. intestinalis.
6 upper labials. Head and neck black with

a yellow (red ?) band behind the eyes ... C. annularis.

6 upper labials. Head and neck black yel-
low spotted. Belly red ... C. trimaculatus.

7 upper labials. A chain of distant black

dots down either side of spine ... C. maculiceps.

7 upper labials. Back blackish, belly red... C. nigrescens.
7 upper labials. A yellow band across the

head behind the eyes . . . C. MacClellandii.

7 upper labials. 40 black bars down the

back. Belly red - ... C. cerasinus.

7 upper labials. 5 black longitudinal bands C pentelineatus.

Xenurelaps.

Jiike ' Bungarus ' but body sub-cylindrical,
long and slender.

Black with narrow white bars directed for-
ward ... X. bungaroides.

III.— SUB-ORDER VIPERINE SNAKES.

Poison gland present. A long perforated, erectile fang on a
very short maxillary bone.

Family YIPERID^.
No pit in the loreal region. .

( xxxvii )

Daboia.

Nostril very large. Caudals double.
Pattern distinctly ocellated ... D. Russellii.

ECHIS.
Caudals single.
Pattern trapezoidal ... E. carinata.

Family CROTALID^.
Loreal region with a pit between the eye and nostril.

Trimeresurus.
The fore part only of the head shielded.

a. — The second upper labial forms the front margin of the

labial pit.
Scales in 17 to 19 rows. Four shields on

the snout. Green reticulated with black

and yellow ... T. trigonocephalus.

Scales in 19 to 21 rows. The supranasals

separated by one or two plates. Green... T. gramineus.
Scales in 21 rows, Supranasals generally

separated. Green with black and yellow

markings ... T, Anamallensis.

Scales in 21 rows. The supranasals in con-
tact. Green ... T. erythrurus.
Scales in 2.3 rows. Supranasals in contact

Gray, brown spotted. The last 6 sub-

caudals entire . . . T. labialis.

Scales in 23 to 25 rows. Supranasals

separated. Green ... T. carinatus.

Scales in 2.3 (rarely 25) rows. Supranasals

sepai'ated. Brown, black spotted ... T. monticola.

Scales in 25 rows. Supranasals separated

by a large shield. Dull green, with

indistinct porphyraceous spots . . . T. porphyraceus.

( xxxviii )

Scales in 27 — 31 rows. Supranasals separ-
ated by a small shield. Green dark
spotted . . . T. Cantori.

b. — The shield in front of labial pit, distinct from the

second labial.

Scales in 25 rows. Supranasals separated

by a shield. Brown ... T. Andersoni.

Scales in 21 rows. Supranasals separated.
Brown with the greenish white side,
stripes enclosing a brown band ... T. mutabilis.

Scales in 21 rows. Brown, dark spotted ... T. strigatus.

c. — Imperfectly knoiun species.

Brownish gray with black, white edged

rings ... T. raucrosquamatus.

Peltopelor.

Crown of head covered with very large scales.
Green with yellow side streak ... P. macrolepis.

Halys.

Head entirely shielded. Scales in 23 — 27 rows.
Dark brown indistinctly barred ... H. Himalayanus.

Olive green ... H. Elliotti.

Hypnale.
Head shielded. Scales in 17 rows.
Brown, barred and marbled ... H. uepa.

gi^pjutuUx,

ON THE MEANS OF DISCRIMINATING

BETWEEN

I

POISONOUS AND HARMLESS SNAKES,

AND

THE TREATMENT OF SNAKE BITP:.

There are few subjects, respecting which more profound igno-
rance prevails, than the means of determining whether a snake
is poisonous or not ; for the question is eminently a special one,
thouo-li neither difficult or obscure when once the few facts and
rules are mastered, which are necessary for the purpose. With the
exception of a few well known and justly dreaded snakes, like the
Cobra, the banded Bungarus, the blue Bungarus, or krait, or the
Russell's viper, no native testimony in regard to the poisonous
or nonpoisonous character of a snake can be relied on, as natives
generally attribute poisonous powers to all snakes with which
they are unfamiliar, or which have bright colours, or a repugnant
physiogQomy, and are as wholly guiltless of any accurate know-
ledge of the subject as the bulk of Europeans.

Practically, as regards poisonous snakes which are dangerous to
man, the question is narrowed to the consideration of a limited

2

li APPENDIX.

number of species, since many from their small size, and others from
their rarity, may be disregarded, and hence perhaps, the simplest
way of learning what are poisonous snakes, would be to pass an
hour or so in some museum where acquaintance might be made
with the commoner or more deadly species. The snakes I should
characterise under this head, would be, Istly, the Hydrophidse, or
marine snakes, possessing a flattened tail, the whole of which are
very deadly without exception, their fangs being small, but their
venom extremely potent. 2ndly, the vipers possessing tubular
erectile fangs of great length. The venom of some of these is
very deadly as in the Dahoia, or Russell's viper, and the Javanese
Calloselasma, whose bite is said to be fatal to man in five minutes,
which is far quicker than that of the cobra, whilst others of the
family, the green vipers, seem to be less dangerous, recovery often
taking place from their bite, with merely local pain and some
constitutional disturbance. Srdly, the ordinary poisonous snakes,
such as the gigantic Hamadryas, the Cobra, the blue Bungarus,
or krait, the black and yellow banded Bungarus, and some of
the larger species of Callophis.

There are only two harmless snakes which, from their peculiar
colouration and from their also inhabiting estuaries and coasts,
can be mistaken for any of the poisonous family of Hydrophidse.
The one, Hipistes hydrinus has, however, a loreal shield which
at once shows its innocuous character, whilst the other Chersy-
drus granulatus may be easily discriminated by possessing over
100 rows of scales. The poisonous viperine snakes are easily
distinguished by their long tubular and erectile fangs, by their
triangular head, keeled scales, and repulsive physiognomy, their
short tails, stout form, and in the majority of Indian species by a
proiorbital pit, whence the name of one section of them of pit
vipers, the most celebrated of which is the American Rattle
snake. Among the ordinary venomous or colubrine snakes, the
Hamadryas is undoubtedly the most formidable, w^hilst com-
moner than any, are the Cobra, the blue and the banded Bungarus,
the bulk of the other Elapidfe being too small or too rare to merit

APPENDIX.

Ill

particular notice. To determine a snake, it is necessary first to
become familiar with the shields which cover the head which
the study of the figure here given of a snake's head will effect.

The first shield is the rostral, r. Behind it comes a pair of an-
terior or prwfrontals, af, followed by another pair of postfrontals,
pf. Behind the postfrontals comes the vertical, v, followed by a pair
of occipitals, o, and below the occipitals come in the teraporals, t.
The shield or shields surrounding the nostrils are the nasals, n ;
and behind the nasals, the loreal, I. In front of the eye comes
the proiocular, o ; above it, the superciliary ; and behind it the
postocular, p o, whilst along the lip come in the u^yper labials,
ul. The mandible or lower jaw is covered by the mental, m ;
in front, and by the lower labials, II; behind, and behind the
mental, follow the chin shields. The belly scales are termed
ventrals, or abdominals, the one in front of the vent, the
anal ; and those beneath the tail, caudals, or subcaudals.

On a snake being brought in, the first point to ascertain is
whether or no it has a loreal shield, for the rule is absolute,
and without exception, that every snake possessing a loreal
shield is harmless. If no loreal shield is present, a very brief
inspection will show if it belongs to the Hydrophidse with a

IV APPENDIX.

flattened tail; or to the Crotalidse or Viperidse with erectile
tubular fangs and rough scales, and if to neither of these
groups, it still remains to determine whether it belongs to one
of the innocuous species which possess no loreal or to a poisonous
species, none of which possess it. The poisonous Elapidse are
all characterised by a small eye with a round pupil and by the
presence of a venom fang, grooved in front, and terminating in a
slit. There are only four genera, and if the snake under consi-
deration belongs to none of these, it is harailess, though no loreal
is present. The four genera of poisonous colubrine snakes are :

Naja,

Scales round the body in 15 rows; more numerous on the neck,
which is dilatable. There are only two species : the Hamadryad,
N. claps, which has some of the anterior subcaudal shields single,
in other respects resembling a gigantic Cobra; and the Cobra,
N. tripudians, which is too well known to need description.

BUNGARUS.

Scales round the body in 1.5 rows; those of the vertebral series
enlarged. Subcaudal shields entire, all or some. The best known
and most dreaded species of this genus is the 'krait,' B cperuleus.
Colour brown or black with a blue iridescence, and generally
some narrow transverse white bars or markings across the back,
A second common species is the banded Bungarus, B fasciatus,
a large snake, alternately black and yellow banded, the rings
encircling the body. A closely allied species from Ceylon has
been specifically separated by GUnther. A fourth species only
found in Tenasserim (Borneo, Java, &c.) is B flaviceps body
black, head bright red, with a narrow vertebral red line ; and
some of the subcaudals bifid.

Kenurelaps.

The sole species of this genus is small and rare. It differs from
Gallop HIS in having the vertebral rows of scales enlarged, and
scales in 15 rows.

appendix, v

Callophis.

Body long and slender. Tail short. Scales smooth, in 13 rows,
the vertebrals not being enlarged.

These snakes do not usually allow a large size, neither do they
display the ferocity so often seen in the Hamadyas, Cobra, or Vipers.

They are easily recognised by their long slender bodies and
a peculiar style of colouration, in which black and red predomi-
nate. During life the red is very bright, but fades in spirits to
yellow. Natives usually have an intense dread of them, but
from their minute fangs, specimens under one foot in length
cannot be esteemed very dangerous, though full grown individuals
should be as carefully handled as a Cobra of equal size. For
descriptions of the species reference may be made elsewhere.

The number of poisonous snakes is therefore practically very
few, but a great many harmless snakes are equally unprovided
with a loreal scale, of which a list is here appended for convenience
of reference.

The snake is harmless thouo-h the loreal shield be absent.

If the scales are smooth and the nostril in an undivided

shield — Cylindrophis.
If there are five occipitals — Xenopeltis.
Jf the tail is truncated — Fam — Uropeltidse.
If there are less than 6 upper labials — Calamaria,
If there are 8 upper labials — Macrocalamus.
If the nostril is in a single shield — Blythea.

Cyclophis.

Odontomus.

Pareas.

If the prseocular is elongate and the body stout — Geophis,
If there is but a single prsefrontal — Aspidura.

Oligodon brivicauda. Fordonia,
If the third upper labial of six, forms the lower rim of the
orbit — Oligodon raodestus.

VI APPENDIX.

If the scales exceed 15 rows — Gonyosoma frsenatum

Tetragonosoma.
If the tail is jflattened and the scales exceed 100 rows —

Chersydrus.
If the pupil is horizontal — Tropidococcyx. Passerita.

To more easily follow the rules I have laid down above, let
the seeker for herpetological knowledge commence the study by-
comparing the heads of any of our commoner venomous snakes,
say the Cobra, with the head of a common paddy field snake, the
Dahmin' (Ptyas mucosos) or the omnipresent little ' Hul-huUia'
(Tropidonotus stolatus) with any species of viperine snakes pro-
curable. A single examination of the scales (with a small lens
if necessary) will give greater familiarity with the above details
than pages of description and in less time than is taken in read-
ing the above remarks.

Other points which serve to determine the species to which
an unknown snake belongs, are the number of rows of scales
which encircle the body : if the scales are smooth or keeled, the
number of ventral scales and caudals, if the anal is entire or
divided, if the pupil is round, vertical or horizontal : and any
other peculiarity either in form or structure that the specimen
may present.

As regards the treatment to be pursued in cases of snake-bite,
it would seem as though the only remedy of the slightest value
in the case of the effective bite of a venomous snake, is a ligature
applied within a few seconds of receiving the injury, and either
suction or excision of the wounds. If the poison once gains an
entry into the system, it is next to useless drenching the unfor-
tunate patient as is too often done with either such antidotes
as ammonia, ardent spirits or any so-called specifics, or torturing
him with the actual cautery of live coals, gunpowder, &;c., or
hounding the poor man about till he dies to prevent his sinking
into sleep. If the patient does not object to it, a glass or two
of brandy and water might be given, as cases sometimes occur

APPENDIX. Vll

where nothing more than fear is the cause of very alarming
prostration, and in such cases a stimulant would do good ; as
where a man has been bitten by a harmless snake, which he
believes to be a Cobra. I once heard of a man who walking
in the dark, trod on one end of a thin coil of tin plate, the other
end of which flying up, slightly punctured one of his calves.
The impression on the man was, that he had been bitten by a
large snake, and an alarming state of prostration supervened, which
however was cured by some one going out and finding the cause
of the mischief. It cannot, therefore, be too widely known that
in the case of snake bite, the sufferer's life is in his own hands,
as nothing but instantly sucking the wound, with or without
ligaturing it, can prove of the slightest value, all recoveries from
snake bite, under treatment, being cases which would probably
have recovered no less speedily without it — Dr. Fayrer treats
this subject exhaustively in his elegant and valuable work on
the Thanatophidia, and recommends such heroic treatment not
only as actual cautery with live coals or gunpowder, or the free
use of mineral acids after excision of the bite, but even ampu-
tation of a limb to save life. Doubtless in the hands of intelli-
gent medical men such remedies are not to be altogether con-
demned, but to recommend such treatment in general, seems to
me to risk subjecting the unhappy sufferer to fruitless agony at
the hands of anxious but wholly ignorant friends, without the
smallest possible chance of any good resulting from such a course.
As for amputation as a suggested remedy, it is to be remembered
that a few seconds, 3 to 15 say, suffice for the transmission through
the body of the poison, and if a ligature has been applied in
time, such a desperate operation is uncalled for, if not, and the
poison has entered the system, amputation of a limb, or all four
limbs would hardly alter the event. Doctors perhaps are justified
in neglecting the Koman rule nee projjter vitarti vivendi perdere
causas, but it is an element that deserves consideration, but on
this point a difference of opinion is necessarily to be expect;ed.
It is moreover to be regretted, I think, that Dr. Fayrer has rather
discountenanced the most efficacious and handy mode of cure

VIU APPENDIX.

suction, on the ground of the risk to the operator, but surely
the risk is not so very great, the poison thus extracted from the
wound being largely mixed with blood and saliva and not retain-
ed in the mouth for any time, but quickly spat out. I should have
no hesitation myself in sucking a wound inflicted by either a
snake or mad dog, though the presence of any ulcer or wound in
the mouth would doubtless add to the chance of untoward symp-
toms, resulting. I cannot resist here extracting the philosophic
remarks of Dr. Fayrer on the prevalent mode of worrying to
death the unfortunate victim of snake-bite. " But another
popular mode of treatment of the so called lethargy induced
by the poison, that by walking the person violently about and
keeping him awake by flogging, pinching and other such violent
measures is in my opinion of very doubtful efiicacy, if not
altogether wrong. The man who is dying from snake bite is
perishing from rapid exhaustion of nerve force. To make him
take violent exercise and deprive him of rest seems to me more
likely to do harm than good. It would be almost as reasonable
to give a man a blow on the head to recover him from concussion
of the brain, or to give him antimony to cure him of seasick-
ness. Let him lie down. Leave him to rest, to sleep if he can."
Speaking of chemical antidotes Dr. Fayrer thus expresses
himself: " I have no hesitation in saying that I believe them to
be useless and that excepting for their stimulant action when
they have any, they are inert. When the symptoms of poisoning
have set in, either when the ligature and excision or caustic or
cautery have failed, or when they have not been used, I believe
that the only rational treatment is to endeavour to rouse the sink-
ing energies and arrest the tendency to fatal paralysis of the nerve
force, by the aid of alcohol or other stimulants such as ammo-
nia or ether judiciously administered, avoiding anything that can
depress, such as over exertion or fatigue, especially that produced
by the popular practice of making the sufferer walk when his
force is almost expended. Brandy or whisky or indeed any
form of alcohol should be given freely and frequently though
not in the large quantities sometimes recommended.

APPENDIX. ix

My belief is that if a certain quantity of the poison has entered
the circulation, we can expect but little benefit from treatment
of any kind ; where less has entered, yet enough to cause danger-
ous present and consecutive symptoms, we may do much to
support the strength and save life by ordinary rational measures.
But that we possess any drug or substance, solid or fluid,
that either swallowed or inoculated can counteract or neutralize
the poison once absorbed, and acting on the nerve centres, I do
not believe, — and I think the notion that we do is a dangerous
one, and liable to do harm by inspiring confidence in ways
and means, in which none should be placed." Thanatophidia,
pp. 88, 39.

To show how small is the chance of recovery from an effective
bite of a venomous snake in possession of its full powers, I will
quote three experiments from Dr. Fayrer's work, together with
the reflection suggested by them.

June 2Qth, 1869, Experiment No. 15. — "A Pariah dog was
bitten in the fore arm by a Cobra (kala keautiah) at 3-2 p.m.
A ligature had been thrown round the limb above the bitten
part, which was immediately tightened. A pointed steel, heated
to a red heat, was then, at 3-3 p.m., inserted into the punctures
and the wounds were thoroughly cauterised." Forty drops of
liquor ammonia, in three parts water, were also injected into the
jugular vein, but the dog died in 43 minutes.

Experiment JVb. 16. — A dog was bitten by a fresh Cobra
(kala keautiah) in the fore arm at 3-38 p.m.; a ligature was
immediately tightened round the limb above the wound. The
actual cautery was at once applied, until the fang wounds and
the adjacent parts were completely disorganized. The dog died
without further treatment in 35 minutes. Dr. Fayrer remarks :
" In this case notwithstanding the ligature, which was applied as
tightly as two persons could pull it round the leg, and the deep
and thorough actual cauterization, immediately after the bite,
the snake poison found entry into the system and proved fatal iu

2

X APPENDIX.

35 minutes Nothing, it seems to me, can more

strongly demonstrate the extremely subtle and virulent nature
of the Cobra poison than these experiments. Nothing I think is
more significant of the improbability of anything proving to be
an antidote. If the poison find entry into the blood vessels, and
be carried to the nerve centres, I am inclined to believe that
nothing can prove of any avail, excepting in those cases when
the bite is imperfect, the quantity or the quality of the poison
diminished or deteriorated, or the snake itself is young, weak,
exhausted, or is one of a less poisonous family, such I believe are
the only cases in which recovery occurs, through the inherent
vigour of the animal or person bitten, perhaps aided by stimulants
and excitement." Thanatophidia, p. 97.

Still more instructive is the third case I will now quote, " A
very large and vigorous pariah dog was bitten in the marginal
fold of integument between the thigh and abdomen, by a Cobra,
at 3-55 P.M. The part was immediately cut out with a bistoury,
the places where the fangs had penetrated being completely
removed. The instrument was at hand, and the operation was
done at once. Two seconds, not more, might have intervened
between the bites and the excision. At 4 p.m., some brandy was
poured down the dog's throat; 4-6, another dose of brandy
administered; 4-16, he is excited, and respiration hurried, perhaps
from the brandy ; 4-25, the dog is not yet affected by the poison ;
4-33, much the same, the breathing rather hurried ; 4-42, no
symptoms of poisoning except the hurried breathing, and that
may be from excitement; 4-47, more brandy given; 4-50, no
symptoms of poisoning yet; 5-10, vomited, shows symptoms of
being poisoned; 5-15, vomited again; 5-30, restless, breathing
hurriedly, abundant flow of saliva ; 6 p.m., slight convulsions,
breathing hurried ; 6-30, dead. Bitten at 3-55, dead at 6-30, in
two hours and 35 minutes.

Here again the extraordinary virulence of the poison is shown.
The snake bit in a fold of skin, which was immediately excised
yet in the slight interval — it could not have been more than two

APPENDIX. xi

seconds — enough of the poison had entered the circulation to
cause death in two hours and 85 minutes, notwithstanding the
free administration of brandy. The dog, too, was an unusually
large and vigorous animal." Thanatophidia, p. 105.

Again on the critical question, the possibility of arresting the
poison after an effective bite. Dr. Fayrer remarks — " That such
Tnay be done, I will not deny, but the two experiments just
recorded, performed with the greatest care and speed by two
Surgeons accustomed to such operations, show that at the least it
is very difficult. The moment of time that intervenes between
the injection of the snake poison by the powerful maxillary
muscles through the tube like fang into the minute blood vessels
of the part, and the application of the ligature and actual cautery,
is sufficient to allow of the entry of the poison with in the circula-
tion, and this reaching the nerve centres, even in a small quantity,
may prove fatal."

For further details of this most interesting subject, reference
must be made to Dr. Fayrer's work, but I will record the chief
deductions from the experiments made and other data therein
brought together and reviewed.

1. Snake poison is not only active when injected into the
system, but developes its poisonous action when applied to a
mucous surface, on the conjunctiva.

2. The blood of an animal killed by snake poison, is itself a
powerful poison when introduced into the system of another
animal.

3. The milk of a woman bitten by a poisonous snake, is fatal
to the child, if allowed the breast. (Shircore's case at Dum-Dum.)

4. The poison of the colubrine snakes does not interfere with
the coagulation of the blood after death in the lower animals, but
the blood remains fluid (as a rule) after death from the bite of a
viperine snake. Authentic particulars on the state of the blood
of the human subject after colubrine poisoning are still wanted.

Xll APPENDIX.

5. Symptoms of poisoning after an eftective bite, are visible
after the lapse of a few seconds only, and should the poison have
penetrated a large vessel, death may result within the minute,
though such a case is of course rare.

6. The bite of a poisonous snake seems to exercise no influ-
ence on another poisonous snake, of the same family or ou itself,
but is fatal, though slowly, to a harmless snake.

7. The most deadly poison seems to be that secreted by the
two Najas and Russell's viper, and scarcely less potent is that of
the Echis, the Bungari, and Hydrophidce. The poison of the
Indian Crotalidse however, though certainly occasionally fatal, is
not perhaps usually so, and there is always fair presumption of
recovery from the bite of our green vipers. Trimeresurus, &c.

8. Specific remedies or antidotes for snake-poisoning there
are none. Where the bite has been, from any cause only parti-
ally effective, diffusible stimulants as ammonia and alcoholic mix-
tures may be resorted to with benefit, to aid the flagging powers
of life.

9. Cases have often occurred of men bitten by harmless
snakes exhibiting symptoms of most alarming prostration, and
being reduced to a moriband condition through fear only, so
that every endeavour should be made to secure the snake, as its
recognition as a harmless species is all that is wanted in such
case, to effect a cure.

In the Madras Monthly Journal of Medical Science for Novem-
ber 1870, Dr. E. Nicholson has a Paper on some popular errors
regarding Indian snakes. In correcting these Dr. Nicholson does
not escape some inaccuracy himself, as where he describes the
tongue as " capable of rapid and vibrating protrusion through a
chink in the rostral shield." This is, however, no doubt merely
the result of a clumsy and inaccurate mode of expression, as it
would be if a man were described as protruding his tongue through
a chink in his upper lip. Dr. Nicholson's views, however, on the

APPENDIX. Xlii

true reason of the immunity of some snake-catchers, from serious
results from snake-bite, are very curious, and deserving of very
full investigation, as he sees reason to attribute it, to a continu-
ous system of inoculation with snake venom, the result of which
is that the elder men among the Burmese snake-charmers possess
greater powers of withstanding snake poison, than the younger,
owing to the more perfect protection enjoyed by them from
inoculation persevered in through many years. I doubt the fact
myself, but it is certainly a curious assertion, to emanate without
good reason, from an Assistant Surgeon who for years has made
these animals his companions, as well as'subjects for study.

/

-^

i«^^

)l

I a/

■'V A^^t U A

.^'ctit/ .S^i^e.

■' /^\

,f

xJ. Schcuofnh u^fT, Z, ithj:

T. OCELLATUS. Buc: Ham;
T. hLorunv. B. H. apitd J. Anderson ■

..•;5js^_

\,

. -^^

.^ S chcucmhufir, Lith^:

T. GRAYII. n.s.

■■z-Sv^i-. fif '

^:

^ S choyUfnhicrtr, Litlv:

T. GRAYII. n.s.

If

1:

^i=:

,yr%'^'^

•'^•^iS^''"

■?>»..

/^\

a,.

Ma

« ■ ■

■■ '"^^

i\:l

' '-^K

K '

M ''''^ ' ' ■

^^^'

■- ■'."»'*»

iO '

'^^^

/6.

,,• : f

iiA- ^y

d.

-J. S cA€zzunhui''tf , Lith

a.b.c. T. EPHIPPIUM n. s.
el. T JAVANICUS. Geoff,

Theobald on Triortyx.

PI: I.

Cfri^ynMX! ^ttetLatutl Gfioff:

I

TKeoialcf on Trionyx.

Pin.

yy^i ..•nil r cfi/txiru-fh'yiio Graif (?).
'r/.Tfuuftci -/hcol-:

3 2044 093 350 619

Date Due