324 OPHIDIA. 



space behind it ; the last maxillary tooth is larger than the preceding', and 

 separated from tliem by an interspace. Palatine teeth not enlarged ; the 

 anterior mandibulary teeth are not much larger than the following. 



Only one species, from Ceylon, is known. 



Cercaspis carinata. 



Hurria carinata, Kuhl, Beitr. Zool. p. 95. 



Cercaspis carLaatuSj Wagl. Syst. Amph. p. 191. 



Lycodon carinatus, Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii. p. 109. pi. 4. figs. 6 & 7. 



Anterior frontals small, not quite one-third of posterior ; loreal rather longer than high ; 

 praeocular just reaching the upper surface of the head; two postoculars ; eight upper labials, 

 the third, fourth, and fifth entering the orbit. Temporals 2 + 3 + 3, the two anterior in 

 contact with the postoculars, that situated at the side of the extremity of the occipital 

 enlarged. Ventrals 188-193; subcaudals 53-60. Black: white rings encircle the body 

 and the tail, and are much wider below than above, where they are reduced to the width of 

 one or two scales ; in immature specimens they are almost as wide as the interspaces of the 

 ground-colour, the first forming a broad collar, partly covering the head ; in adult specimens 

 tlie whole of the head and neck is black. 



It is not scarce in Ceylon, attaining to a length of 2 feet, the tail taking from 4 to 

 5 inches. 



FAMILY OF V»U]KT.\mAT>'^—JMBLYCEPHALID^. 



Body much compressed, slender or of moderate length ; its hinder portion 

 and the tail prehensile ; head short, thick, very distinct from neck ; eye of 

 moderate size, with vertical pupil ; nostril lateral, in a single plate. Shields 

 of the crown of the head sometimes increased in number. Cleft of tlie 

 mouth much narrower than the external posterior commissure of the lips 

 would indicate; lower jaw not expansible, covered with large uiisymmetrical 

 chin-shields, not separated by a mental groove. Scales smooth or faintly 

 keeled, in from thirteen to fifteen series, those of the vertebral series en- 

 larged. Maxillary bone very short, provided with only a few very small teeth ; 

 palate and lower jaw with strong teeth anteriorly ; no grooved tooth. 



