PSAMMODYNASTES. 363 



As in the African genus Dasypeltis, each of the anterior vertebrae 

 nas the hypapophysis or inferior process much elongate, tooth-like, 

 capped with enamel and penetrating the walls of the oesophagus. 

 It has been observed that the African snakes feed on eggs, which 

 are broken in passing along this series of processes, and having 

 arrived so far downwards in the gullet that the mouth can be 

 closed, none of the contents are lost. The same is doubtless the 

 case with Elachistodon. 



452. Elachistodon westermannt 



Elachistodon westermanni, Reinh. Overs. Dansk. Vid.Selsk.Forh. 1863, 

 p. 206, pi. , figs. 1-5 ; G'unth. Rept. B. I. p. 444 ; Blanf. J. A. S. B. 

 xliv, 1875, p. 207 ; Theob. Cat. p. 162. 



Rostral twice as broad as deep, just reaching the upper surface 

 of the head ; internasals and prsefrontals subequal in size ; frontal 

 rather longer than broad, as long as its distance from the end of 

 the snout, shorter than the parietals ; loreal small, longer than 

 deep, entering the eye ; a small prreocular above the loreal ; two 

 postoculars ; two very long temporals ; 6 or 7 upper labials, 

 third and fourth entering the eye ; 3 pairs of large chin-shields. 

 Scales in 15 rows. Ventrals 210-217 ; anal entire ; subcaudals 

 59-65. Brown above, with a yellowish vertebral band ; a yellowish 

 band commences on the snout and runs along each side of the 

 head to the temporals and the angle of the mouth ; an angular 

 yellowish cross band on the nape ; lower parts yellowish. 



Total length 31 inches ; tail 4-5. 



Hab. A very rare snake, only two specimens being known, 

 which I have not seen. The type was obtained at Eungpore, and 

 the specimen described by Blanford at Purneah, both in Bengal. 



Genus PSAMMODYNASTES, 

 Giinther, Cat. Col. Sn. p. 140, 1858. 



Maxillary teeth 9 or 10, second or third much elongate and fang- 

 like, followed by a short interspace, last grooved ; anterior mandi- 

 bular teeth large, posterior small. Head moderate, distinct from 

 neck, with angular canthus rostralis ; eye rather large, with verti- 

 cally elliptical pupil ; nostril in a single nasal. Body moderate ; 

 scales smooth, without apical pits, in 17 or 19 rows ; ventrals 

 rounded ; tail rather short; subcaudals in two rows. 



Only two species are known ; the second, P. pictus, Gtbr. 

 (conjunctus, Ptrs.), inhabits Borneo and Sumatra. 



453. Psammodynastes pulvemlentus. 



Psammophis pulverulenta, Boie, Inis, 1827, p. 547. 

 Dipsas ferruginea, Cantor, P. Z. S. 1839, p. 53. 



