Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 73 



Greatest circumference of the trunk, ■§ inch. 



Scuta 201 ; Scutella 73. 



Coluber radiatls, Schlegel. 



Syn.— Russell II. PI. 42. 



Coluber quadrifasciatus, Cantor, (Var ) 



Head and back light yellowish bay, paler on the sides ; the hind 

 head with a transversal black line, branching off along the exterior 

 margins of the occipitals ; a black oblique streak behind the eyes, and 

 another beneath them dividing both jaws. On each side of the back a 

 broad longitudinal black band, relieved at intervals by a short net- 

 work, produced by 3 or 4 scales of each series being edged with pale 

 brown, and the skin between them white. The bands, in some com- 

 mencing at a distance from the head, are continued or interrupted, 

 terminating on the posterior part of the back. Below them is on each 

 side a parallel black line ; lips, throat and lower surface yellow. Iris 

 bright gamboge with a concentric black ring. Tongue bluish black. 



Young. Above of clearer colours ; beneath pearl- coloured. 



Scuta 222 to 248 ; Scutella 82 to 94. 



Habit. — Pinang, Singapore, Malayan Peninsula. 



Java, Sumatra, Cochin China, Tenasserim, Assam. 

 This species is numerous in marshes, and paddy-fields, and often 

 becomes a tenant of out- houses, where during the day it remains con- 

 cealed, till nightfall favours its pursuit after rats. It is however 

 equally diurnal, preying upon smaller birds, lizards and frogs. Assam 

 produces a local variety distinguished by 18 instead of 17 longitudinal 

 series of scales, of which the 3 upper ones are all lineated, whereas 

 normally such is the case on those of the posterior part of the body. 

 It makes a vigorous defence, and in darting at an enemy is capable of 

 raising nearly the anterior two thirds of the body from the ground. In 

 a female were found 23 whitish, soft, cylindrical eggs, of which the 

 largest measured 1£ inch, in length. The largest individual observed 

 was of the following dimensions : 



Length of the head, ft. If inch. 



Ditto ditto trunk, 4 3f 



Ditto ditto tail, lOf 



5 ft. 3f inch. 

 Greatest circumference, 3| inch. 



