CERCASPIS. 323 



bifid; subcaudals 69-82. Vertical uot much longer than broad. Nostril wide, situated 

 between the two nasals, the anterior frontal, and first labial. Loreal leather elongate ; no 

 prseocular ; two postoculars ; nine upper labials, the third, fourth, and fifth entering the 

 orbit. Temporals 1+2 + 2. Black, paler on the sides and below, with a varying number of 

 broad, distant white or whitish bands which become broader below ; they are more distinct 

 and more numerous in young specimens than in adult ones, in which those on the hinder 

 part of the body entirely disappear. The first band forms a collar extending on to the lips, 

 but frequently disappears with age. 



This is a Javan species, extending to Pinang, where it is very scarce. It attains to a 

 length of S^ feet, the tail being one-fourth or one-fifth of the total length. It feeds on 

 skinks and is of fierce habits, like the other Lycodontides. 



Ophites albofuscus. 



Sphecodes albofuscus, Du7n. ^- Bibr. \\\. p. 394. 

 Ophites albofuscus, G'dnth. Colubr. Snakes, p. 207. 



Scales in seventeen rows, strongly keeled. Ventrals 256 ; anal bifid ; subcaudals 204-208. 

 Anterior frontals short, much broader than long ; vertical five-sided, as broad as long. 

 Nostril Avide, situated between the two nasals, the anterior frontal, and first labial. Loreal 

 as high as long ; one preeocular, just reaching the upper surface of the head ; two post- 

 oculars; eight upper labials, the third, fourth, and fifth entering the orbit. Temporals 

 rather irregularly arranged : two in front rather elongate and in contact with the postoculars ; 

 another, of elongate form, is situated on the side of the hinder half of the occipital. Light 

 reddish, with numerous (about fifty) brown cross bands, which are twice or thrice as broad 

 as the intervals of the ground-colour ; a reddish-white collar. 



Dumeril states that the single typical specimen came from Sumatra ; his description agrees 

 with our specimen as accurately in every point as if it had been taken from it ; I, however, count 

 204 subcaudals, whilst Dumeril states 208. It was purchased of a Paris dealer, who stated 

 that it came from the coast of Malabar; it is 24| inches long, the tail measuring 8| inches. 



CERCASPIS, IFagl 



Body of moderate length, strongly compressed ; tail rather short. Head 

 rather depressed, flat above, with rounded snout of moderate length, not very 

 distinct from neck, Ventrals not quite 200 in number, witli a strong- angular 

 ridge on each side ; subcaudals simple. Shields of the head regular. Scales 

 strongly keeled, in nineteen series. Pupil elliptical, erect. Maxillary with 



one of the anterior teeth (third or fourth) enlarged, there beings a toothless 



"2t2 



