336 OPHIDIA. 



ACKOCHOEDUS JAVANICUS. 



Acrochordus javanicus, Horiist. Abhandl. Acad. Stockh. 1797, vii. p. 306. Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii. 

 p. 424, and Abbild. p. 55. taf. 17. figs. 12-14. Cantor, Mai. Rept. p. 58. 



Head rather short and broad, with the snout much broader than long, and with the eyes 

 directed forward. The nostrils are minute, in the centre of a small circular nasal shield, the 

 nasals being close together, in front of the snout. The cleft of the mouth is of moderate 

 width, not bent upwards posteriorly ; it is closed anteriorly by a central notch of the upper 

 jaw and by two lateral ones of the lower, receiving corresponding protuberances of the 

 opposite jaw. Brown above, more yellowish on the sides ; the young with large irregular 

 dark-brown spots, confluent into undulating and interrupted bands on the back ; these spots 

 become very indistinct with age. 



This snake is very rare, and has been found only in Java, at Pinang, and Singapore. It 

 grows to a length of 8 feet, and it has been ascertained by actual observation that its habits 

 are terrestrial. Cantor justly compares its physiognomy with that of a thorough-bred bull- 

 dog : a female in his possession brought forth not less than twenty-seven young ones in the 

 course of about twenty-five minutes ; they were very active, and bit fiercely. Hornstedt found 

 a quantity of undigested fruits in the stomach. No opportunity of making further observa- 

 tions on the habits of this remarkable snake should be lost. 



CHERSYDRUS, Guv. 



The hind part of the body and the tail are slightly compressed ; the 

 surface of the latter is vertically expanded by a fold of the skin running- 

 along its lower side. No ventral or subcaudal shields whatever ; a low fold 

 of the skin runs alonff the median line of the ahdomen. Scales with a short 

 tubercle-like keel, not spiny. 



Only one species is known. 

 Chekstdrus geanulatus. 



Hydrus gi'anulatus, Schneid. Amph. p. 243. 



Acrochordus fasciatus, Shaiv, Zool. iii. pp. 11, 576. pi. 130. 



Chersydrus fasciatus, Cuv. Regne Anim. 



Acrochordus granulatus, Cantor, Mai. Rept. p. 59. 



Chersydrus granulatus et annulatus. Gray, Viper. Snakes, p. 61, 



The cleft of the mouth is of moderate width, not bent upwards posteriorly ; it is closed 



