286 OPHIDIA. 



largest, broadest in front and tapering behind ; the second and third pairs are wedged in 

 between the front pair and the lower labials, and they do not extend further backwards than 

 the anterior. Brownish olive, with narrow, rather irregular, greyish, black-edged cross bands ; 

 a brown triangular spot on the snout, its point being directed backwards and on to the 

 posterior frontals; a roundish spot on each side of the occiput; an oblique streak of the 

 same colour as the spots runs from the prseocular through the eye to the side of the neck, 

 sometimes joining the first blackish-brown cross band. The three or five outer series of 

 scales and the belly yellowish white ; generally a series of black spots along each side of the 

 abdomen : all these markings are much more distinct in young specimens. Broad blackish- 

 brown cross bands, about thirty-seven in number, alternate with white ones, the width of 

 which is only one-third or one-fifth of that of the brown ones. The lower parts of the tail 

 are either marbled with brown or entirely black. 



This snake is found in Java, in the Malayan Peninsula, and in Gamboja; it attains to a 

 length of 42 inches, the tail measuring 10 inches. Cantor says that they are sluggish in their 

 movements, and on dry land very awkward ; the young ones are veiy gentle, and the old but 

 seldom bite. The female brings forth six or eight living young at a time, each between 

 7 and 8 inches in length. 



Homalopsis hardwickii was founded on a specimen with a divided loreal ; but this is acci- 

 dental in that individual, as specimens may be observed which have one loreal on one side 

 and two on the other; the infraorbital of that specimen is somewhat naiTower than is 

 usually the case. 



Pythonia semizonata, Blyth, is e\-idently founded on a specimen of this very common 

 species, but which, accidentally, had some of the shields of the head and the last ventral 

 shields divided. 



HIPISTES, Gray. 



Head short, dejiressed, distinct from neck ; neck rather slender ; body of 

 moderate length ; tail stout, compressed, tapering. Cleft of the mouth of 

 moderate width, somewhat turned upwards behind ; eye very small, directed 

 upwards, with vertical pupil. The whole upper surface of the head is 

 shielded : nostril on the upper surface of the head, in a single nasal shield, 

 the outer part of which, however, is divided into two by a groove running- 

 outwards from the nostril. The nasals are separated from each other by a 

 single narrow anterior frontal shield, which forms a suture with the rostral ; 

 two posterior frontals. Scales smooth, in thirty-nine series. Ventrals rather 



