332 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVIII. 



reduction was due to the absorb tion of the 4th row above the ven- 

 trals, into the 3rd on one side, the 5th on the other. 



The supracaudals were everywhere in even rows, a matter for 

 remark. In almost all other snakes where the subcaudals are entire 

 the supracaudals are in odd rows (vide Bungarus), and where the 

 subcaudals are partly entire partly divided, the supracaudals are in 

 odd rows corresponding to the entire, and in even corresponding to 

 the divided subcaudals. 



The secretion of the anal glands was like white paint in colour, and 



consistency. 



It was quite black dorsally, but when the scales were separated, the 

 lioht bands, often so conspicuous on this creature, were seen to he 

 present though obscure. The head was brown with black sutures, 

 and the throat a dull orange. At first sight it bore a remarkable su- 

 perficial resemblance to a dark specimen of Zamenis korros, but was 

 also so much like a black cobra that many I think might have been 

 deceived. 



Whilst out butterfly catching on the Ghat Eoad below Shillong 

 (circa 3,000 feet) I encountered one of a somewhat similar length, 

 and found myself suddenly at uncomfortably close quarters to it. 

 Having dismounted to secure a specimen I wheeled my bicycle to 

 lean it against the bank of the cutting, when within a foot or so of 

 me I became aware of the snake as it lay extended in the drain some 

 eighteen inches or so deep. It appeared to be drinking in the 

 trickle of a stream diverted into this channel. It reared its head, 

 faced me for an instant, during which time I distinctly viewed its 

 head shields, and made off into the jungle at about the moment when 

 I had realised its identity. This specimen was quite black. A 

 fatality which occurred in Shillong this year prior to my visit I think 

 there can be little doubt must be attributed to this species. My 

 informant was Mr. Rita, who could vouch for the following facts. 

 Hearing one afternoon about 3 p.m. a great commotion near his 

 house, enquiry elicited the information that a party of 30 coolies was 

 in the act of removing the carcase of a pony belonging to a native 

 neighbour. Mr. Rita had actually seen this pony alive and well in 

 its stall about 12 p.m. the same day. He was informed that it had 

 been attacked by a large snake which was seen twined round the 

 animal's neck by servants who fled precipitately, so that the reptile 



