CYCLOPHIS. 229 



Ablabes melanocephalus. 



Lycodon melanocephalus, Gray, Ind. Zool. c. fig. 

 Herpetodryas prionotus, Cantor, Proc. Zool. Sac. 1839, p. 52. 

 Ablabes melanocephalus, Giinth. Colubr. Snakes, p. 38. 



Scales in seventeen rows. Loreal square ; one praeocular, two postoculars ; the occipital 

 extends laterally to the lower postocular ; one temporal in front, in contact with the lower 

 postocular only ; a second elongate temporal behind the first, contiguous to the occipital ; 

 two or three smaller scale-like temporals between the second temporal and the posterior 

 labial shields. Upper labials ten, the fourth, fifth, and sixth entering the orbit ; the seventh 

 and ninth are contiguous below, excluding the eighth from the labial margin, so that the 

 latter, situated below the anterior temporal, might be taken for a temporal shield. Two 

 pairs of oblong chin-shields, subequal in size, the anterior in contact with four labials. 

 Ventrals 152; anal bifid; subcaudals 65. Teeth small, closely set, of equal size, 37 in each 

 maxillary and 34 in each mandible. Light brown above, mth two white longitudinal 

 bands, commencing from a broad black collar, and becoming indistinct towards the hinder 

 parts of the body ; each band is interrupted by a series of quadrangular, equidistant black 

 spots ; head brown above ; lips yellow, vpith a black band running from the eye to the angle 

 of the mouth. Lower parts whitish, each ventral with a black spot on each side. 



The typical specimens are from General Hardwicke's collection; the place where they 

 were collected is not known. The typical specimen of Cantor's Herpetodryas jmonofits 

 appears to be lost ; but, fortunately, a drawing of it has been preserved in the Oxford Museum, 

 which proves its identity with A. melanocephalus. Cantor says that it inhabits Malacca. 

 The species attains to a length of 22 inches, the tail measuring 8 inches. 



CYCLOPHIS, Gthr. 



Body or tail or both rather slender ; belly rounded ; head of moderate 

 leng-th, rather distinct from neck. Shields of the head regular ; loreal 

 present, or confluent with the nasal ; only one nasal, pierced by the nostril ; 

 one (two) anterior and two posterior oculars. Scales smooth, in fifteen 

 rows. Eye of moderate size, or rather large, with round j)upil. All the 

 teeth of equal size, none grooved. 



The snakes of this genus are small species — intermediate forms between the Coronellina 

 and the Bryadina ; like the former, they appear to be ground snakes, frequenting grassy 

 plains rather than dry places ; therefore their predominant colours are green or olive. One 



