DIPSAS. 357 



b'. Head scarcely distinct from neck; 



cesophageal teeth ELACHISTODON, p. 362. 



b. Some of the solid maxillary teeth en- 

 larged, fang-like. 



a'. Pupil vertically elliptic PSAMMODYNASTES, p. 363. 



b'. Pupil round ; loreal shield much elon- 

 gate PSAMMOPHIS, p. 365. 



c'. Pupil horizontal DRYOPHIS, p. 367. 



B. Posterior border of ventral shields with a 

 lateral notch corresponding to a suture- 

 like lateral keel CHRYSOPELEA, p. 371. 



Genus DIFSAS, 

 Boie, Isis, 1827, p. 548. 



Maxillary teeth 10 to 12, subequal in size, followed by two or 

 three grooved fangs ; anterior mandibular teeth longest. Head 

 very distinct from neck ; eye moderate or large, with vertically 



Fig. 105. Head of Dipsas trigonata. 



elliptic pupil ; head-shields normal ; posterior nasal more or less 

 deeply concave. Body elongate, more or less compressed ; scales 

 smooth, in 17 to 27 rows, vertebral row enlarged ; tail moderate 

 or long ; subcaudals in two rows. 



A genus of about 20 species, found in Southern Asia, Papuasia, 

 North Australia, and Africa. Terrestrial or arboreal, feeding on 

 mammals, birds, and lizards. 



Synopsis of Indian, Ceylonese, and Burmese Species. 



A. Anterior palatine and mandibular teeth 

 but little larger than posterior ; scales in 

 17 to 21 rows. 

 a. Vertebral scales feebly enlarged. 



a'. 3 labials entering eye ; one prseocular . D. trigonata, p. 358. 

 b'. 2 labials entering eye ; 3 prseoculars . . D. barnesii, p. 359. 



