Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 57 



Habit. — Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 



Chusan ?* Amboina, Java, Banka, Sumatra, Bengal I figg 1 " 



The two ibssets of the rostral shield are pyriform with the apex 

 diverging, and those of the nearest 3 or 4 upper labials are of similar 

 shape. The inferior fossets are square, occupying the lower margin ot 

 the shield, varying from 7 to 9 on each side. The foremost of these 

 is situated on the shield corresponding to that of the upper jaw, which 

 borders the orbit. 



This species is very numerous in the Malayan hills and valleys, feed- 

 ing upon quadrupeds and birds. It often takes up its abode in out- 

 houses, preying at night, and is thus useful in destroying vermin, 

 although plunder is occasionally committed in poultry yards. Dr. 

 Montgomerie has seen in George Town, Pinang, a young one which 

 the inhabitants suffered to retain unmolested possession of the rice 

 stores in order to secure them against the ravages of rats. Indivi- 

 duals of 16 ft. in length are of no rare occurrence. In 184 4 one was 

 killed at the foot of Pinang, which a gentleman informed me measured 

 more than 30ft. During the expedition to China in 1840 one was 

 shot from the poop of one of H. M. Transports, then riding in Singa- 

 pore roads, between 3 and 4 miles from the shore. It was about 9ft. 

 long, and had the upper part of the head infested with Ixodes ophio- 

 philus, Miillcr. The Chinese attribute great medicinal qualities to 

 the heart and the gall-bladder, and use the skin to cover the bodies 

 of some of their musical instruments. Python tnolurus, (Linne,) Pedda 

 Poda, Russell, I. PI. 22. 23, 24, and Bora, PL 39, is said also to 

 occur, but rarely, in the Malayan Peninsula, but I never had an oppor- 

 tunity of seeing it. 



* Skins arc of frequent occurrence at Chusan, and the natives assert that the serpent 

 is found there and on the neighbouring continent. Serpents from 14 to 16 feet in length, 

 " Rock-snakes," were observed by several officers during our occupation of the island. 



Ifcf-M. M. Duineril and Bibron state that this species has been sent from Bengal by 

 M. A. Duvaucel. The natives are not acquainted with it, and the specimens in the 

 Museum of the Asiatic Society are from Pinang. The living animal is occasionally 

 brought from the Straits of Malacca to Calcutta, and such is probably the history of the 

 specimen sent from Bengal by M. Duvancel. Python molurus, (Linne,) ( Pedda Poda 

 and Bora of Russell,) is very numerous in Bengal. 



