71 



in two rows. Body cylindrical, or slightly 

 compressed. 



Colouration variable ; brown or black above, 

 encircled with white rings, or with white cross bands 

 on posterior half of the body. Ventrals white. 

 Grows to 19 inches. 



This snake often lives in houses, where some- 

 times a colony of six or seven may be found. 



Lycodon Carinatiis. 



Like the above, only it has its scales keeled, 

 and in 19 rows. Ventrals 188-194, anal entire, and 

 sub-caudals 53-64, single. 



Colour like the preceding, only in the young 

 the back of the head is white. Grows to 26 inches. 



The Lycodon Carinatus is not so common in 

 Ceylon as the Lycodon Aulicus. 



Polydontophis Stibptmctahis, 



Head short, slightly distinct from neck, eye 

 small with round pupil, frontal longer than its 

 distance from end of snout, as long as parietals, or 

 a little shorter ; one prae-ocular, two post-oculars, 

 both in contact with parietal ; nine or ten upper 

 labials, 5th and 6th entering the eye ; four lower 

 labials in contact with anterior chin shields. Scales 

 in 17 rows, smooth. Ventrals 151-220 ; anal 

 divided ; sub-caudals 47-76, double. Body cylin- 

 drical. Grows to 17 inches. 



Colour pale brown or black, with small black 

 spots along the vertebrae, and also along the sides. 

 Head and neck dark. Two bands across front and 

 back of neck, enclosing broad yellow collar which 

 is itself bisected by a black median line extending 

 to a transverse line between the eyes. Ventrals 

 yellow, with a dot near each outer edge. A pretty 

 little snake, which is almost unmistakeable on 

 account of its yellow collar. 



