( 131 ) 



Plectrurus Geylonicus, Peters. Monats, 1859, p. 388. 

 E. melanogaster. Peters Uropelt, p. 18, tab. 2, f. 4. 



Snout pointed. Rostral much less than half the length of the 

 head. Caudal shield small, not half as large as the head. Ven- 

 trals, 150 — 170 scarcely enlarged. Sub-caudals bifid, 7 to 9. 

 Colour above brownish. Belly paler, sometimes blackish. A 

 series of 5 or 6 triangular yellowish spots, (red in life ?) united 

 at the base by a more or less distinct longitudinal band, along 

 each side of the body in front. A yellowish ring round the root 

 of the tail. Grows to 14 inches. 



Inhabits Ceylon, where it is the commonest species. 



E. Pulneyensis, Beddome. P. Z. S., 1863 ; p. 228, pi. 25, f. 2. 



Snout rather obtuse. Rostral rounded behind, one-fourth 

 only as long as the head. Caudal very small, as large as the 

 rostral. Ventrals 175 twice as large as the adjoining scales. 

 Sub-caudals 12 in males, 6 or 8 in females. Colour brownish 

 black, a yellow band commencing from the labials, runs along 

 each side of the forepart of the body and is continued as a 

 series of spots to the vent. The spots sometimes extend across 

 the belly. A yellow line along each side of the tail, joining 

 across the vent. 



GroWvS to 9 inches. 



Inhabits the Pulney Hills in Southern India, at an altitude of 

 7,000 to 8,000 feet. 



R. grandis. Bed. Mad. Mon. J. M. S., 1867, p. 15, PI. II, f. 4. 

 " Snout obtusely pointed ; rostral shield rather acute behind 

 produced back far between the nasals, but not touching the 

 frontals, from one-third to one-fourth the length of the head, 

 without any distinct keel. Caudal shield small, bicuspid, the 

 points side by side : Trunk surrounded by 17 rows of scales, 

 the anterior portion by 19 rows; ventrals twice as large as the 

 adjoining series ; scales of the tail and a few of the last scales of 

 the trunk near the vent furnished with 23 keels. Colour of the 

 back brownish black, belly yellowish, the yellow colour rising in 

 triano-ular markings which are alternate with similar markings 



