312 OPHIDIA. 



those of the vertebral series large, hexagonal. Ventrals 202-235; anal entii-e; subcaudals 

 80-106. Nostril round; loreal rather higher than long. One prseocular, not extending on 

 to the upper side of the head ; two postoculars. Eight upper labials, the third, fourth, and 

 fifth of which enter the orbit. The temporals vary in form and arrangement. Two pairs of 

 chin-shields, the anterior being rather longer than the posterior. Four labials are in contact 

 \vith the front chin-shields. Each maxillary is armed with ten rather small teeth equal in 

 size and with a posterior grooved tooth ; palatine teeth not enlarged ; anterior mandibulary 

 teeth rather longer than the others. Reddish olive, with a series of round brown spots, 

 lighter in the centre and edged with white along each side of the vertebral line ; another 

 series of smaller spots along the side ; belly white, marbled or spotted with broAvn. A brown 

 streak runs from the eye to the angle of the mouth ; a A-like mark of the same colour on 

 the head, its point resting upon the forehead ; nape of the neck with a round or ovate bro-wn, 

 white-edged spot. 



This species is found in Bengal, Tenasserira, the Malayan Peninsula, at Pinang, in Siam, 

 Java, Celebes, and China ; it attains to a length of 2 J feet, the tail being one-fifth. I have 

 found the remains of birds in the stomach. 



DiPSAS TRIGONATA. 



Russell, Ind. Serp. i. tab. 15. 



Coluber trigonalis, Schneid. in Bechst. Uebers, Lacep. iv. taf. 40. fig. 1. 



Dipsas trigonata, Boie, his, 1827, p. 559. Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii. p. 267. pi. 11. figs. 6 & 7. 



Dipsadomorphus trigonatus, [Fitz.) Giinth. Colubr. Snakes, p. 175. 



Scales smooth, in twenty-one (exceptionally in nineteen) series, those of the vertebral series 

 distinctly larger than the others. Ventrals 235-269 ; anal entire; subcaudals 79-87. Nostril 

 rather small, rounded. Loreal as high as long ; one praeocular, just reaching the upper surface 

 of the head ; two postoculars. Eight upper labials, the third, fourth, and fifth of which 

 enter the orbit. Temporals varying in form, number, and arrangement. Each maxillary is 

 armed with ten small teeth and with a pair of grooved posterior teeth ; the two anterior 

 teeth of the palatines and of each mandible are somewhat larger than the others. Yellowish 

 olive, with a rather irregular white or yellow zigzag band along the back, edged with black ; 

 crown of the head with two dark bands edged with black, convergent behind ; an indistinct 

 brown band from the eye towards the angle of the mouth. Belly white, ^vith an irregular 

 series of brown dots along each side. 



This is a common species in the peninsula of Southern India, extending to Bengal and to 

 the foot of the Himalayas, and attains to a length of about 3 feet, the tail being one-fourth. 

 It feeds on mice. 



