210 OPHIDIA. 



labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit ; the fifth and seventh are in contact with 

 each other below, excluding the sixth from the labial margin. Temporals 1 + 2. Ventral 

 shields 135 ; subcaudals 31. Head with an indistinct dark band between the eyes, descending 

 through the orbit ; a brown blotch on each side of the neck. Body brownish, with a light 

 vertebral band, which becomes more distinct on the tail, and is crossed by about eighteen 

 narrow, short, dark-brown bands. Belly white, with square black spots, both colours being 

 distributed in nearly equal proportion. 



We have received only one specimen of this species, through Dr. R. Templeton, who sent 

 it from Ceylon; it is 10^ inches long, the tail measuring 1^ inch. We have given a lateral 

 view of the head, for comparison with 0. affinis. 



Oligodon modestus. 



Scales in fifteen rows. Loreal none, confluent with posterior frontal ; one prse- and one 

 postocular ; six upper labials, the third being the largest, forming the entire lower margin 

 of the orbit; temporals 1+2. Ventral shields 158; (anal entire;) subcaudals 41. The 

 markings on the upper parts of the head are very obscure ; the dark-coloured occiput and 

 neck are separated by a lighter collar ; brown spot below the eye very distinct. Body 

 uniform greyish brown ; a yellowish vertebral band becomes distinct on the hinder part 

 of the trunk and on the tail. Belly white, with quadrangular black spots, the ground-colour 

 rather predominating. 



The single specimen in the British INIuseum was purchased of Mr. Cuming, who stated that 

 it came from the Philippine Islands. We have reason to doubt this, and to suppose that 

 it was one of a number of Ceylonese reptiles received at the same time. It is an adult 

 male, 13 inches long, the tail measuring 2 inches. 



Oligodon doesalis. 



Elaps dorsalis, Gray, Ind. Zool. c. fig. 

 Oligodon dorsalis, Giinth. Colubr. Snakes, p. 22. 



Scales in fifteen rows. Loreal distinct ; one prse- and one postocular ; seven upper labials, 

 the thii'd and fourth of which enter the orbit; temporals 1+2. Body slender; ventral 

 shields 173-175; anal bifid; subcaudals 50. Head brown, symmetrically marbled with 

 darker ; a dark-brown spot below the eye ; rostral shield dark brown with a yellow edge ; 

 nuchal spot small. Body brownish grey, minutely punctulated vsdth black * : a yeUow band, 

 two scales broad, extends from the neck to the tip of the tail ; it is bordered on each side 

 with a series of small black spots, and interrupted by two or three large black spots on the 



* The typical specimen is reddish white^ but evidently bleached. 



