M<i/(djaii Peninsula and Islands. 67 



Xenodon purpurascens, Schlegel. 



Syn. — Coronella albocincta, Cantor, (Var.) 



Above olive brown with black spots, and numerous pale red trans- 

 versal zig-zag bands, each with a submarginal black line. The first 

 occupies the space between the eyes, continuing obliquely backward 

 over the cheeks and lips ; the second, arrow-shaped, diverging over 

 the neck ; labial shields yellow with brown margins. Beneath strongly 

 iridescent pale carmine ; every other scutum entirely or partially 

 black near the lateral angles. Iris circular, golden, lower half dotted 

 with black ; tongue black. 



Scuta 179 to 183 ; Scutella 36 to 6."i. 

 Habit. — Pinang. 



Java, Tenasserim, (Var) Chirra-Punji, Assam, Darjeling, 



Midnapore (Bengal.) 



A solitary individual observed on the summit of the Great Hill of 

 Pinang, defended itself vigorously. The dimensions were : 



Length of the head, ft. 1 inch. 



Ditto ditto trunk, . 1 8f 



Ditto ditto tail, 3* 



2 ft. 1 inch. 



Circumference of the neck, 1±, of the trunk 2, of the root of the 

 tail \\ inch. It differs from the description of M. Schlegel in having 

 21 longitudinal series of scales instead of 19, and on the right side 3 



o 



prEe-orbitals. Labials on each side -r- . The Variety described as Coro- 

 nella albocincta inhabits Assam, Chirra Punji, Darjeling, and Midna- 

 pore (Bengal.) It differs from those of the southern localities in having 

 the head not distinct from he trunk, and its shields are shorter. The 

 eyes are smaller, and, owing to the much swollen cheeks, appear sunk, 

 which with the remarkably shelving profile, contribute to render the 

 physiognomy singularly scowling. The largest specimen in the Museum 

 of the Asiatic Society measures in length 2 feet 5f inch., of which the 

 head f, the trunk 2 feet If, and the tail 3 inch. In all, the livery is 

 individually varying, but the arrow-shaped mark, double in some, ap- 



pears to be constant. Labials on each side y'. 



