30 b COLFBRIDJ3. 



distinct ; an iiidistiiict series of blackish-grey dorsal spots, almost 

 forming a dark undulating band ; sides marbled and freckled black- 

 ish grey, this colour being separated from the upper brown one by 

 a series of closely set black spots which are partially conspicuous 

 on the posterior part of the body ; chin dusky ; lo\ver parts yellow 

 with a vermilion tinge, each ventral with a large black spot near 

 its outer extremity. (StoKtzka.) 



Total length 17*5 inches ; tail 4-25. 



Hob. Camorta, Kicobars. 



373. Ablabes porphyraceus. 



Coluber porphyraeeua, Cuntur, P. Z. 8. 1839, p. 51 ; Giintn. Rept. B. 

 I. p. 239, pi. xx, fig. J ; Anders. JP. Z. S. 1871, p. 172 ; Theob. Cat. 

 p. 163; Anders. An. Zool. Res. Yunnan, p. 812; Hubrecht, Mid- 

 den-Sumatra, Rcpt. pi. , fig. 1. 



Paaruruophis nigrofasciatus, Cantor, 1. c. p. 53. 



Coronella calliceplialus, Gray, A. M. N. If. (2) xii, 1853. p. 390 ; 

 Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiii, 1855, p. 289. 



Snout more than twice as long as the eye, which is rather small ; 

 rostral nearly twice as broad as deep, visible from above ; nostril 

 between t\vo nasals j suture between the interuasals shorter than 

 that between the pra;frontals ; frontal broad, as long as or a little 

 longer than its distance from the end of the snout, shorter than 

 the parietals ; loreal rather small, longer than deep ; a large prse- 

 ocular; two postoculars, both in contact with the parietal; tem- 

 porals 1+2; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the eye; 

 4 or 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields, which 

 are longer than the posterior. Scales in 19 rows. A'entrals 192- 

 215 ; anal divided ; subcaudals 52-76. Pale reddish brown above, 

 with dark brown black-edged cross-bands ; a black streak along the 

 middle of the head, and another on each side, from the eye to the 

 first transverse band ; posterior part of body and tail with two 

 longitudinal black lines, in addition to the cross-bands ; lower parts 

 uniform yellow. 



Total length 30 inches ; tail 5*5. 



JJab. Eastern Himalayas, hills of Assam, Northern Burma, Yun- 

 nan, Sumatra. 



Genus CORONELLA, 

 Laurenti, Syu. Kept. p. 84, 1768. 



Maxillary teeth 12 to 16, increasing in size posteriorly; mandi- 

 bular teeth subequal. Head short, scarcely distinct from neck ; eye 

 rather small, with round pupil ; head-shields normal. Body cylin- 

 drical ; scales smooth, in 19 to 25 rows, with apical pits ; ventrals 

 rounded ; tail moderate ; subcaudals in two rows. 



This genus is distributed over Europe, Western Asia, Africa, 

 and America. One Indian species is referred to it. The Coronella; 

 are fierce snakes of terrestrial habits, feeding on lizards and snakes. 



