RHINOPHIS. 183 



like, sometimes in a double series, sometimes confluent and forming only one series — which 

 does not appear to be a specific character ; they are few in number, from four to twelve. 



The species do not attain to a considerable size, and hitherto they have been found only 

 in Ceylon and in the Peninsula of India. They are by no means scarce, but escape observa- 

 tion from their peculiar mode of life. In order to collect them it is necessary to dig for them 

 to a depth of 4 feet. According to Peters they are viviparous {Bh. melanog aster). They 

 live on insects and worms. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



Nasals separated by the rostral Rhinophis, p. 183. 



Tail terminating in a flat, rough, scaleless shield Uropeltis, p. 188. 



Hind part of the tail covered with keeled scales ; supraorbital and postocular 



confluent Silybura, p. 189. 



Supraorbital and postocular distinct Plectrurus, p. 192. 



Tail covered with smooth scales, terminating in a small, smooth, horny point . Melanophidium, p. 193. 



RHINOPHIS, Hemprich. 



Tail cylindrical, covered with smooth scales, terminating in a convex, 

 scaleless, rough shield. Head conical ; nasal shields separated from each 

 other hy the rostral, which is produced backwards ; supraorbital and post- 

 ocular confluent into one shield. Tail of the male longer than of the 

 female. 



Found in Ceylon only. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



* Rostral shield nearly half as long as the head, with a longitudinal keel 

 above. 



Body nearly uniformly coloured Rh. oxyrhynchus, p. 184. 



Yellcivish, with series of black dots Rh. punctatus,^.\M. 



** Rostral shield not half as long as the head, without distinct keel; 

 caudal shield large. 

 Coloration uniform or vnth some white blotches on the front part of 



the trunk Rh. philippinus, p. 184. 



A series of triangular white spots along each side of the body . . . Rh. trevelyanm, p. 185. 



Belly and sides red, with black spots Rh. sanguineus, p. 186. 



*** Caudal shield very small. 



Snout pointed Rh. bhjthii, p. 186. 



Snout obtuse Rh. pulneyen^is,Y>. IS7. 



