76 



rather large with round pupil. Frontal longer 

 than its distance from end of snout, as long as the 

 parietals ; two praeoculars, three postoculars ; 

 eight upper labials, fourth and fifth entering the 

 eye ; four lower labials in contact with the anterior 

 chin shields. Scales in 19 rows, strongly keeled 

 (except sometimes the outer row). Ventrals 

 133-141 ; anal divided ; subcaudals 48-54, in two 

 rows. Body cylindrical. Grows to eighteen inches. 

 Colour, brown, with black crossbands and 

 large black-edged ocelli along the back (indistinct 

 in adult). Black band on each side of head 

 behind eye, and oblique band on each side of nape 

 and the space between yellow. Ventrals uniform 

 yellowish, sometimes anterior portion powdered 

 brown. 



Tropidonotus Piscator (Quincunciatus). Known in 



Ceylon as T. Asperrimus. 



The same as the above, except that the eye is 

 smaller. It has one praeocular ; nine upper labials, 

 five lower labials in contact with anterior chin 

 shields. Ventrals 125-158 ; subcaudals 64-90. 

 Grows to three feet six inches. 



Colour variable ; usually with dark spots 

 arranged in rows of five, separated by a white 

 network, and often invisible on the posterior part 

 of the body ; sometimes the spots are replaced by 

 white cone-shaped bands arranged along the 

 vertebrae, on which their apices are. Head marks 

 the same as in the preceding variety. Ventrals 

 white or pale pinkish. 



The common "water-snake" of Ceylon. Very 

 numerous in paddy fields. Savage. 



Tropidonottcs Stolatus. 



Same as T. Quincunciatus, only eye moderate. 

 Frontal as long as the parietals ; eight upper 



