310 



Distribution. Southern China, East Indian Continent and Archi- 

 pelago. About 20 species are known. Closely allied to Coronella, 

 from which this genus is distinguished by the shorter maxillary 

 with more strongly enlarged posterior teeth. Habits terrestrial ; 

 species of Simotes feed on lizards and snakes, and are of a fierce 

 disposition. 



Synopsis of Indian, Ceylonese, and Burmese Species. 



A. Anal entire. 



a. 19 or 21 series of scales. 



a'. Two superposed anterior temporals; 

 usually a subocular between 3rd and 4th 

 upper labials ; 4th and 5th labials enter- 

 ing the eye. 

 a". Four internasals; ventrals not an- 



gulate laterally S. splendidus, p. 310. 



b". Two internasals ; ventrals angulate 



laterally S. cyclurus, p. 311. 



V '. A single anterior temporal ; 3rd and 4th 



labials entering the eye S. albocinctus, p. 312. 



b. 17 series of scales. 



a'. 4th and 5th upper labials entering the 



eye ; a single anterior temporal S. violaceus, p. 312. 



b'. 3rd and 4th upper labials entering the 

 eye ; 2 superposed anterior tem- 

 porals S. octolineatus, p. 313. 



B. Anal divided. 



a. 17 series of scales. 



a'. Subcaudals more than 40. 



a". Nostril between two nasals; 3rd and 



4th upper labials entering the eye .... S. amensis, p. 314. 

 b". Xasal undivided ; 4th and 5th labials 



entering eye S. beddomii, p. 314. 



b' Subcaudals less than 40. 



a". Loreal longer than posterior nasal .... S. theobahli, p. 315. 

 b". Loreal not longer than posterior nasal . . S. cruentatus, p. 315. 



b. 15 series of scales S. torquatus, p. 316. 



c. 13 series of scales S. planiceps, p. 316. 



375. Simotes splendidus. 

 Simotes splendidus, Gilnth. P. Z. S. 1875, p. 231, pi. xxxiii. 



Nasal divided ; portion of rostral seen from above as long as its 

 distance from the frontal ; each of the iuternasals broken up into 

 two shields, there being four small shields in a transverse series ; 

 frontal longer than its distance from the end of the snout, slightly 

 longer than the parietals ; loreal deeper than long ; praeocular 

 single, with a small subocular below, between the third and fourth 

 labials; 2 or 3 postoculars ; temporals 2+3; upper labials 8, 

 fourth and fifth entering the eye ; 4 lower labials in contact with 



