562 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVI. 



Groioth. — Seventeen young of the year varying from 5^ to 10 inches 

 were captured in the months of June to September, both these outside 

 measurements occurring in the last month. Nothing longer than 7 inches 

 was procured before September though eight of this year's progeny were 

 caught before this month. Seventeen other specimens between 14| and 

 17^ inches were secured, evidently last year's production, but the lengths 

 exceeding 17|^ inches are so gradually, and evenly progressive, that it is 

 impossible to follow the growth any further. The largest specimen was a 

 2 27J inches in length, and the average of the six largest of this sex was 

 25 inches against 22 inches for the average of the six largest S . The 

 largest S measured 25 inches. 



Lepidosis. — The ventrals, and subcaudals were only noted in a few cases 

 and show no difference in the sexes. Thus in the S the ventrals were 141 

 to 150, in the $ 139 to 147. The subcaudals in the S were 69 to 81, and 

 in the 2 62 to 81. 



Dentition. — The maxilla holds from 24 to 25 teeth behind which is a gap 

 followed by 2 teeth fully twice the length of the preceding. The palatine 

 teeth number 18 to 19, the pterygoid 33 to 38, and the mandibular 32 

 to 33. 



The Bufl'-striped Keelback. — Tropidonotus stolatus (Linne). 



In all 52 specimens of this snake reached me. It is evidently a fairly 

 common species up to 5,000 feet and occurs up to about 6,000 feet. Being a 

 snake of the Plains it was to be expected that it would be found in the 

 Wynaad as plentifully as in other parts of these Hills. Seven of the total 

 were of the " red " variety, vermilion hues replacing the pale blue seen in 

 usual specimens. This beautiful ornamentation was seen in three quite 

 juvenile examples measuring respectively 8|, llf and 11 inches, 



Breedinr/. — Five gravid females were included all captured in July, 

 August, or September, The smallest dam measured 17 inches, and the 

 largest 28| inches. The clutches of eggs varied from 3 to 10, In one case 

 the eggs were found to contain minute embroys which if unravelled might 

 have been about one inch long. 



Food. — Of the many that had but recently fed, two contained frogs with 

 dilated toes that I think were Rana temporalis, three contained frogs too 

 digested to recognise, and nine others species of l.ralus. One of these last 

 had swallowed no less than six of this small batrachian. 



Growth. — Twelve specimens were young of the year ranging between 6^ 

 and 8| inches during the months from June to September. The growth of 

 the species is difficult to follow as the breeding season probably lasts 

 during half the year. 



Jerdon's Grass Snake. — Tropidonotus monticola (Jerdon). 



All the 13 specimens of this uncommon snake were caught in the 

 "Wynaad. Unfortunately most were very juvenile, and some had their 

 tails more or less deficient. The largest adult, a 5 measured 22f inches. 



Colour and markings. — In one young specimen there was a very bright 

 yellow collar, and in all the specimens the throat and sides of the neck 

 were yellow. This hue was replaced by a bright orange in the adult. 

 Most of the supralabials had narrow blackish margins. The cross bars are 

 sometimes very obscure, even in quite young specimens. 



Food. — Three had their stomachs distended. A Biifo mela7iostictus had 

 been taken by the large 2, and a Rana limnoeharis by two other examples. 



Growth. — Seven of this year's production taken from July to September 



