302 OPHIDIA. 



concave, with a sharp superciliary and rostral ridge above. One prseocular, in contact with 

 the vertical ; a single postomtlar. Eight upper labials, vrith a black-coloured groove above 

 them ; the first is exceptionally divided into two ; when undivided it is larger than any of 

 the three following ; the fourth and fifth form the lower margin of the orbit. Temporal 

 shields varying in number and size ; only one is in contact with the postocular. Two pairs 

 of chin-shields, the anterior rather longer than the posterior. Scales smooth, without apical 

 groove, in fifteen rows ; those on the end of the trunk are slightly keeled. Ventrals 

 138-140; anal bifid; subcaudals 70-82. Each maxillary is armed with twelve teeth, the 

 fourth and fifth of which are enlarged, and the last two grooved ; the four anterior teeth in 

 each mandible are much longer than the others. Uniform grass-green ; lower parts yellowish ; 

 a yellow streak along each side of the belly, edged with green interiorly. 



Common in North Canara ; it attains to a length of 24 inches, the tail measuring 5| 

 inches. 



Judging by a figure in the possession of W. Elliott, Esq., the " Leptophis 1 nilagiricns ?, 

 n. sp.," Jerdon, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xxii. p. 529, would belong to this genus. The cele- 

 brated Indian ornithologist describes it thus : " Green above, yellow beneath ; ventrals 140, 

 subcaudals 73 ; thirteen rows of scales. Very common on the grassy hills of the Neelgher- 

 ries." The figui-e mentioned does not show a lateral stripe on the belly. 



TRAGOPS, JFafjl. 



Body and tail exceedingly slender, slightly compressed ; head depressed, 

 very long, with the snout long and pointed, but without rostral appendage ; 

 canthus rostralis sharp ; loreal region concave. Eye of moderate size, with 

 horizontal pupil; nostril small, lateral, situated in the hinder part of a single 

 nasal shield. Shields of the head regular ; loreal present. Scales smooth 

 or faintly keeled, in fifteen rows, those of the vertebral series sometimes dis- 

 tinctly larger than the others. Ventral shields not, or slightly, keeled ; anal 

 bifid. The fourth, fifth, or sixth maxillary tooth enlarged, the last grooved. 



I now know of three species of this genus, all occurring in British India : — 



Rostral in contact with the frontals ; ventral shields 200 or more ... 7". prasinus. 

 Rostral in contact ^yith the frontals ; ventral shields about 150 . . . . T. dispar. 

 Rostral separated from the frontals by the nasals T. fronticinctus. 



