PYTHON MOLURUS. 331 



often takes up its abode in outhouses, preying at night, and is thus useful in destroying 

 vermin, although plunder is occasionally committed in poultry-yards. When kept in cap- 

 ti\'ity it is of importance to supply it with a small tank of water, in which it will frequently 

 remain for days. Individuals of 16 feet in length are not of rare occurrence, and some about 

 30 feet long are on record. 



PiTiiox MOLUEUS. The Adjiger of the Hindoos. 



5fe6a, i-P-59. tab. 37. fig. 1. 

 Coluber moliirus, L. Syst. Nat. i. p. 225. 

 Peddapoda, Russell, hid. Serp. i. pis. 22-24 & 39. 

 Python tigris, Baud. v. p. 241. 



bivittatus (part.), Schleg. Phys.^Serp. ii. p. 403. pi. 15. figs. 1^ 3 &4. 



moliirus, Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 44. Dum. ^ Bibr. vi. p. 417. 



A pair of anterior and posterior frontals ; several other small shields between the vertical 

 and the posterior frontals. The two anterior upper labials and four of the lower ones are 

 pitted. Supraorbital not divided; the sixth upper labial is below the orbit, entering it. 

 Scales small, in about sixty-five series round the middle of the trunk ; those of the outer 

 series large, half the size of the ventrals. Ventrals 242-262 ; anal entire ; subcaudals 60-72. 

 The ground-colour is light greyish brown. A brown spot, shaped like the head of a lance, 

 occupies the crown of the head and the nape ; its point rests on the frontals, but frequently 

 it is truncated anteriorly, its extremity being on or behind the vertical; a light median streak 

 divides its triangular portion into two. A dark-brown streak runs from the nostril through 

 the eye to behind the angle of the mouth, gradually becoming broader and confluent with 

 another band running along the lower jaw. A sub triangular brown spot below the eye. 

 Back of the body and tail with a vertebral series of large quadrangular spots, the margins of 

 which are sometimes serrated, sometimes straight ; an oblong spot on each side of each of 

 these quadrangular spots. Sides of the body with another series of rather irregular bro\vn 

 spots, which sometimes have a light centre. Lower parts yellowish, brownish or blackish 

 on the sides. 



This Python, commonly known under the name of " Rock Snake," and by some misnamed 

 " Boa," is almost peculiar to the continent of India. Common in the Southern Peninsula 

 and in Bengal, it extends northwards into the Saul Forest at the foot of the Himalayas, and 

 probably to Southern China*. Its occurrence in the Malayan Peninsula is problematical, and 

 in Java it is at all events much scarcer than P. reticulatus. Ceylon is inhabited by a Python, 

 but it is not known whether it is molurus or reticulatus — probably the former. 



Specimens are known to have been captured which were 20 feet long, and it is probable 

 that it attains to the same size as its congener from the Archipelago. It prefers swampy 

 ground, or at least the neighbourhood of Avater, where it finds a more regular supply of food 

 in the animals visiting their drinking-places. It feeds on birds, Rodentia. young or small 

 deer, sheep, &c. 



* Blytb mentions a speeimen from Formosa, sent by Mr. Swinhoe ; but, according to a communication 

 from the latter gentleman, it appears that it had been imported into that island from China. 



2 U2 



