148 



BOIDM 



the rest of the upper surface of the head covered with 

 scale-like shields, 5 to 8 from eye to eye across the 

 vertex, 7 to 11 round the eye ; 9 to 12 upper labials, 

 second or third deepest, separated from the eye by 

 one or two series of scales. Nostril between the 

 internasal and two nasals, the anterior of which 

 sometimes fuses with the former. Two or three 

 series of scales between the nasals and the eye. 



Fig. 15 (after Sordelli) 



Scales. — Smooth, feebly keeled on the posterior 

 part of the body and on the tail, in 40 to 51 rows. 

 Ventrals narrow, occupying about one-third of the 

 ventral surface, 163 to 200 ; anal small, entire ; sub- 

 caudals all or greater part single, 15 to 29. 



Coloration. — Pale greyish, reddish, or yellowish- 

 brown above, with brown, purplish-brown, or black- 

 ish markings, which may be very irregular or form a 

 single or alternating series of large blotches or cross- 

 bands on the back ; the sides with smaller spots ; 

 these markings may be confluent and so large as to 



