77 



labials, third, fourth and fifth entering the eye ; 

 sometimes six lower labials in contact with the 

 anterior chin shields. Ventrals 125-161 ; subcau- 

 dals 50-85. Grows to two feet. 



Colour, brown, with black crossbars intersected 

 by two longitudinal yellow lines. Ventrals white, 

 often with a black spot at the edge of each. Nape 

 red during breeding season. 



Noc so aquatic as T. Piscator. A very gentle 

 snake. 



Helicops Schistosus. 



Head slightly distinct from neck. Eye 

 moderate, with round pupil. Frontal much longer 

 than its distance from end of snout, shorter than 

 the parietals ; one prae, two or three postoculars ; 

 eight or nine upper labials, third and fourth or 

 fourth and fifth entering the eye ; four or five 

 lower labials in contact with anterior chin shields. 

 Scales more or less keeled in 19 rows. Ventrals 

 129-151 ; anal divided ; subcaudals 55-85 in two 

 rows. Body stout and cylindrical. Grows to 

 two and a half feet. 



Colour, dark brown, sometimes with small 

 spots along the back. Dark crimson streak along 

 last rows of scales on each side. Ventrals yellow. 



A very common snake, often found in rivers 

 and streams in Ceylon. 



Dipsadinae. A sub-family belonging to the back- 

 fanged order. Slightly poisonous. 



Dipsas Ceylonensis. 



Head spade-shaped and very distinct from 

 neck. Eye vertically elliptic and shorter than 

 snout. Internasals shorter than praefrontals. 

 Frontal longer than its distance from end of snout,, 



