218 BRITISH SERPENTS. 



frontal. The number of small shields in front of the 

 frontal. The arrangement and number, if any, of the 

 small shields between the frontal and the supra-ocular.) 



Lip-scales, or labials. — Nine on the right side, eight on 

 the left side, the fifth and sixth being fused on the left. 

 (The labials vary greatly, and should always be noted.) 



Shields round eyes. — Ten in number. 



Body scaling. — Ventral shields number 144. Sub- 

 caudal shields number 32 pairs, and the terminal 

 conical shield. 



Colouration. — This specimen exhibits the usual female 

 colouring in this locality : brown markings on an olive- 

 green body, mottled belly, yellowish-white throat, and 

 bright orange colour on the under surface of the tail. 



On dissection. — (If dissected note the contents of the 

 stomach, and the stage of development of young if a 

 pregnant female, also the number of eggs developing.) 



Record of specimen. — Private collection, No. 4, year 

 1901, preserved in formalin solution. (Specimens 

 may be preserved in various ways. Methylated spirit 

 is frequently used, but is not very satisfactory : the 

 specimens shrink considerably in it after a time, and 

 the colours become dull. Absolute alcohol exhibits 

 them best, but is expensive if used on a large scale. 

 Formalin is not a good preservative for snakes, though 

 it is comparatively cheap. 1 Serpents should always be 

 preserved in fluid, never stuffed, as they never look 

 natural in this latter way.) 



1 Formalin is apt to turn snakes blackish. 



