206 



COLUBRID^] 



(rarely two) pre- and two (rarely one) postoculars. 

 Temporals i + 2 ; parietal sometimes nearly touch- 

 ing the fifth upper labial. Upper labials seven, 

 third and fourth entering the eye. Four (rarely 



five) lower labials in 

 contact with the an- 

 terior chin - shield ; 

 posterior chin-shields 

 smaller than the an- 

 terior, and separated 

 from each other by 

 one or two rows of 

 scales. 



Fig. 29 (after Sordelli) 3^ ^^ a singJe 



apical pit, in seventeen rows. Ventral shields 150 

 to 191 ; anal divided; subcaudals 53 to 78. 



Coloration. — Not unlike that of a young Zamenis 

 gemonensis. Greyish-olive above, uniform or each 

 scale lighter in the centre. The greater part of the 

 upper surface of the head behind the snout, to- 

 gether with the nape, black in the young, with a 

 yellow cross-bar or a pair of yellow spots between 

 the eyes, the bar sometimes confluent with the 

 yellow postoculars, and a horseshoe-shaped band 

 of the same colour on the temples and across the 

 occiput (Plate X.) ; the black of the nape again edged 

 with yellow behind. More or less distinct traces 

 of these markings are preserved in adult specimens. 

 Upper lip yellowish, with black spots or bars on 



