ELAPID^. 337 



anteriorly by a central notch of the upper jaw and by two lateral ones of the lower, receiving 

 corresponding protuberances of the opposite jaw. The nostrils are round, and can be her- 

 metically closed by a valve in their interior. Only the scales occupying the medial abdominal 

 fold are spinous, their keels terminating in a minute point. Brownish black, with whitish 

 cross bands on the sides and abdomen ; head with some small yellowish spots. In the young 

 the bands are more clearly defined, and extend on to the back, where they are generally 

 interrupted. 



This is a thoroughly aquatic species, as is indicated by its broad, compressed tail, which, 

 however, differs greatly from that of the Hydrophides in not having the processes of the 

 caudal vertebrae prolonged. It is more or less scarce, but found in the rivers and on the sea- 

 coasts of numerous islands of the Archipelago, extending to New Guinea and the Philippines. 

 It inhabits also the eastern coasts of Southern India and the Malayan Peninsula, and some- 

 times it may be seen three or four miles distant from the shore. Cantor found six eggs with 

 developed embryos in a female which he dissected, the mother being nearly 3 feet long, the 

 embryos lOf inches. In food and general habits this snake resembles the Hydrophides; but 

 it is not venomous, as has been stated by previous writers. 



Second Suborder. 



OP HID 11 COLUBRIFORMES FENENOSI—YY.^OMO\]^ 



COLUBRINE SNAKES. 



Snakes with an erect, immoveable, grooved or perforated tooth in front of 

 the maxillary. 



Two families of this Suborder are represented in the East Indies : — 



Tail conical, tapering Elapid^e, p. 337. 



Tail strongly compressed, paddle-shaped HydrophidjE, p. 352. 



FAMILY OF ELAPIDES— ^/.^P/Z^y^. 



Body cylindrical or subcylindrical ; tail rather short, tapering. Head 

 with the normal number of shields above ; loreal constantly absent. Nostril 

 lateral. Eye rather small, with round pupil. The venom-fang shows a 

 distinct groove along its front, and the canal in its interior terminates in a 



slit at its extremity. 



2x 



