. ( 160 ) 



Odontomus, Dumeril et Bihron. 



Form slender, strongly compressed. Scales smooth in 13 or 

 15 rows. Ventrals angularly bent on the sides. Nostrils in a 

 single shield divided by a more or less distinct suture. Two 

 prasoculars, the lower sometimes united to the loreal. Maxillary 

 and palatine teeth sub-equal, none grooved. The anterior 

 mandibular teeth but little enlarged. Eye moderate. Pupil 

 round. 



O. nympha, Daud. 



Rostral nearly twice as broad as high. Prsefrontals sub-quad- 

 rangular, more than half as large as the post-frontals. Post- 

 frontals broader than long. Nasal sub-divided. The loreal gen- 

 erally united with the lower prseocular. 8 upper labials, the third 

 and fourth entering the orbit. Scales with an apical groove. 

 Anal bifid. Colour white with 38 rounded broad brown bands, 

 each about thrice as broad as the interspace. The first band 

 occupies the head, the second the neck, with a white collar inter- 

 vening. Head sometimes entirely yellowish. 



Grows to 17 inches. (Tail 3-5.) 



Inhabits Southern India, Vellore. 



O. semifasciatus, Glinther, 



Rostral somewhat broader than high. Praefrontals sub-quad- 

 rangular more than half as large as the postfrontal. Nasal 

 sub-divided, the suture under the nostril being very indistinct. 

 Loreal longer than high. Two equal prseoculars. Two postocu- 

 lars. 7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit. 

 Scales with an apical groove. Anal bifid. Colour white, with 

 50 rounded dark brown bands, each twice as broad as the inter- 

 space. The first pair separated by a collar as in nympha. 



Inhabits ? 



O. gracilis, Gunther. 

 Rostral twice as broad as high. Praefrontals quadrangular, 

 two-thirds the size of the postfrontals. Two nasals. Loreal 

 united with the lower praeocular. Upper prseocular small. Two 



