280 OPHIDIA. 



HYPSIRHINA, TFagler. 



Head rather depressed ; tall of moderate length, distinctly compressed at 

 its root in the males. Cleft of the mouth of moderate width ; eye small. 

 The whole upper surface of the head is shielded. Nostril on the u])per 

 surface of the head, in a large nasal shield, the outer part of which is divided 

 into two by a groove running outwards from the nostril. The nasals of both 

 sides form a broad suture together behind the rostral ; only a single anterior 

 frontal ; two posterior frontals. Scales smooth, without apical groove, in 

 from nineteen to twenty-three series. Ventrals rather narrow ; anal bifid ; 

 subcaudals two-rowed. Maxillary with a grooved tooth behind. Viviparous. 



This genus is limited to the East Indies ; the following species are known : — 



Scales in nineteen rows H. plumbea, p. 280. 



Scales in twenty-one rows; ventrals 159-166; anterior frontal iu contact with 



the loreal H. enhydris, p. 281. 



Scales iu twenty-one rows; ventrals 128; anterior frontal in contact with the 



loreal H. jagorii, p. 282. 



Scales iu twenty-one rows ; anterior frontal not in contact with the loreal . . . H. bennettii, p. 283. 



Scales in twenty-three rows H. chimnsis, p. 283. 



Hypsirhina plumbea. 



Homalopsis plimabea, Boie, Isis, 1827, xx. p. 550. Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii. p. 346. pi. 13. figs. 12 &13. 



Cantor, Mai. Rept. p. 101. 

 Hypsirhina plumbea, Wagl. Syst. Amph. p. 170. Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 66. 

 Coluber plumbeus, Eyd. i>; Gerv., Voy. Favor, v. p. 73. pi. 30. fig. 1. 

 Hyijsirhiua hardwickii, Gray, Lid. Zool. c. fig. ; Zool. Misc. p. 67. 



Head short, rather thick, distinct from neck ; body and tail short, stout. Scales polished, 

 short, rhombic, poreless, in nineteen rows. Anterior frontal as large as one of the posterior ; 

 vertical five-sided, much longer than broad, with parallel lateral margins, and with a right 

 angle posteriorly ; occipitals much longer than vertical, pointed behind. Loreal rather higher 

 than long ; one prseocular, just reaching to the upper surface of the head ; two postoculars. 

 Eight upper labials, the eye above the fourth ; the fifth either does not enter the orbit, or 

 with its anterior angle only; temporals scale-like, 1+2 + 3. Two pairs of chin-shields, of 

 nearly equal length, the posterior not touching each other in the median line. Ventral 

 shields 120-131 ; anal bifid; subcaudals 29-44. Each maxillary is armed with nine teeth, 

 increasing in length posteriorly, and with a long posterior grooved tooth. Brownish- or 



