INNOCUOUS SERPENTS. 165 



almost to Siberia. It is a very common snake, and uni- 

 versally known ; recognisable by its bhiish or greenish 

 colour relieved by black spots, which become square on 

 the lower parts, by its whitish collar, succeeded by a broad 

 dash of black. Individuals are found wholly black ; and 

 in the south of Europe it rarely has been seen with a 

 yellow ray down the back. S. 163 -|- 62. Lives near, or 

 on the borders of, lakes or rivers, and often establishes 

 itself in the vicinity of houses.* 



2, Tropidonotus quincunciatus. a large and handsome 

 species, of an olive-brown, ornamented with 5 or 7 ranges 

 of spots disposed in a quicunx order. An oblique streak 

 on the temples, another under the eye. Tints very sub- 

 ject to variation, eitlier accidentally or through the in- 

 fluence of different climates. Individuals from Java have 

 the spots confluent on the upper parts to form longitudinal 

 rays ; those of the Marianne Islands have the abdomen 

 speckled with black. Found from Malabar to the Philip- 

 pines and the Mariannes. S. 134 -H 72. Nostrils rather 

 vertical ; anterior frontal plates conical. 



3. Tropidonotus umbratus. Yellowish, varied with 

 black ; whole head black. S. 142 -l- 83. Native country, 

 Bengal and Ceylon. 



4. Tropidonotus Rhodomelas. As beautiful as rare ; 

 above of a brisk-red ; below more pale ; back ornamented 

 with a dark ray ; on the sides a series of black specks ; 

 head very broad and thick ; muzzle short and conical ; oc- 

 cipital and frontal plates small. S. 131 -t- 44. Island of 

 Java. 



5. Tropidonotus triangultgerus. Deep olive-gi'een ; 

 below of an olive-yellow ; sides ornamented with broad tri- 

 angular red spots ; muzzle longer and more conical than 

 in the preceding species. S. 137 + 81. Inhabits Java. 



6. Tropidonotus Chrysargos. Form very similar to 

 the last ; but the size is rather less, the muzzle less conical, 

 and the sides varied with black bands and yellow spots. 



* [Though exceedingly common in England and Wales, it has never 

 been seen by the Translator in Scotland ; nor can we find any satisfac- 

 tory evidence of its ever having been caught in this kingdom, although 

 the common Viper is abundant in many parts of Scotland.] 



