224 OPHIDIA. 



A series of black dots along the vertebral line; upper labials ten, 



the eighth excluded from the labial margin A. humberti, p. 228. 



A series of black dots along the vertebral line ; upper laloials ten ; 



subcaudals 102 A. collaris, p. 228. 



Two white bands along the back, each band interrupted by a series 

 of black spots -4. melanocephalus, p. 229. 



Ablabes baliodieus. 



Coronella baliodeira [Boie) , Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii. p. 64. pi. 2. figs. 9, 10. Cantor, Mai. Rept. p. 66. 

 Ablabes baliodeirus, Dum. (^ Bibr. vii. p. 313. Gilnih. Colubr. Snakes, p. 29. 



Scales in thirteen rows. Vertical longer than broad; two prseoculars; temporals 1+2, 

 the anterior elongate and in contact with both postocnlars. Upper labials seven, the third 

 and fourth of which enter the orbit ; the sixth is the largest, and very similar in size and 

 shape to the anterior temporal. Two pairs of elongate chin-shields, the posterior of which 

 are as long as, or even longer than, the anterior ; the anterior in contact with four labials. 

 Ventrals 122-132; subcaudals 65-72. Above brownish or black, yellowish on the head; on 

 each side of the anterior part of the trunk a series of equidistant transverse ocellated spots, 

 with white centre and black edge. Labials yellow, edged with black. Uniform pearl- 

 coloured below. 



This species belongs to the archipelago, being found in Borneo, Java, and at Pinang. Our 

 longest specimen is 14 inches long, the tail measuring 3| inches. 



Ablabes tenuiceps. 



Calamaria tenuiceps, Blyth, Journ. As. Soc. Bcng. xxiii. p. 288. 



Scales in thirteen rows, without apical groove. Rostral shield rather broader than high ; 

 anterior frontals broader than long, more than half as large as the posterior ; vertical longer 

 than broad, six-sided, the six sides being nearly equal in length, the anterior angle being a 

 right one, the posterior rather pointed ; occipitals as long as vertical and posterior frontal 

 together, not reaching the lower postorbital. Nostril between two small nasals ; loreal much 

 longer than broad. One pra^orbital, not extending on to the upper surface of the head ; two 

 postorbitals, the upper larger than the lower. Six upper labials, the third and fourth 

 entering the orbit, and the sixth being the largest. Temporals 1 + 2, the anterior in contact 

 with both oculars. Two pairs of elongate chin-shields, equal in size; the anterior are in 

 contact with four labials. The scales are perfectly smooth, except those on each side of the 

 vent and of the base of the tail, which are keeled. Ventrals 137 ; anal bifid ; subcaudals 39. 

 Above uniform blackish ash ; below whitish. 



We have seen only one specimen of this species, sent by B. H. Hodgson, Esq., from Nepal ; 

 it is 12 inches long, the tail measuring 2 inches. Mr. Blyth's example is from Darjiling, 

 and 14 inches long, of which the tail is 2 inches. 



