314 OPHIDIA, 



DiPSAS CEYLONENSIS. (Plate XXIII. fig. B.) 



Dipsadomorplius ceylonensis, Giinth. Colubr. Snakes, p. 176. 



Scales smooth, without apical groove, in nineteen series ; those of the vertebral series large, 

 hexagonal. Ventrals 220 ; anal entire; subcaudals 108. Nostril of moderate size. Loreal 

 square ; one prteocular, just reaching the upper surface of the head ; two postoculars. Eight 

 upper labials, the third, fourth, and fifth of which enter the orbit. Temporals numerous, 

 scale-like ; two are in contact with the postoculars. Each maxillary is armed with ten teeth 

 of moderate size and with a grooved posterior tooth. Palatine teeth not enlarged ; the 

 anterior mandibulary teeth are a little longer than the following. Greyish olive, minutely 

 punctulated with black; a vertebral series of more or less rounded blackish-brown spots, 

 each emitting an oblique naiTow streak towards the sides of the belly ; belly finely marbled 

 with brown, with a series of brown spots along each side. A black blotch on the occiput ; a 

 brown streak runs from the eye to the angle of the mouth. 



The representative of the continental D. trigonata in Ceylon ; it attains to a length of 

 37 inches, the tail measuring 9 inches. It feeds on mice. 



FAMILY OF LYCODONTES— i.lC0Z>0iV77/>^. 



Body generally of moderate length or rather slender, rounded or sliglitly 

 compressed ; head of moderate length and width, generally with depressed, 

 flat, and elongate muzzle. Eye rather small, generally with vertical pupil. 

 Shields of the crown of the head regular, with the posterior frontals enlarged. 

 Maxillary with a fang in front, but without a posterior grooved tooth. 



The Indian species, having a vertical pupil, would appear to be nocturnal snakes ; yet they 

 feed exclusively on skinks, which they must catch during the day, if they do not follow them 

 into the places of their retreat. The African Lycodontes feed on mice and other small 

 nocturnal mammals. They are ground-snakes, and some of the species are extremely nume- 

 rous in British India ; they belong to the following genera : — 



Scales smooth ; loreal present ; two nasals Lycodon, -p. 3lo. 



Scales smooth; loreal none Tetraffonosoma, ]). 320. 



Scales smooth ; nasal single Leptorhytaon,-^. 32\. 



Scales keeled ; subcaudals bifid Ophites, p. 322. 



Subcaudals entia-e Cercaspis, p. 323. 



