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ringf? on the body, directed forward along the dorsal line, and 1 1 

 rings on the tail, as well as its extreme tip, are yellowish white." 

 The rings are broader below than above, and the general colour- 

 ation "most markedly recalls that of Xenurela-pa bungaroides, of 

 which we as yet only know young specimens." 



Grows to 170 inches. 



Inhabits India, Barmah and the Tenasserim Provinces. 



This superb snake has the reputation in Pegu of attacking 

 with persevering ferocity any one molesting it, but I imagine the 

 statement holds good only during the breeding season. I have 

 myself frequently noticed them in the jungle, and though toler- 

 ably fearless of man, those I have seen did not evince any desire 

 to attack me. I have on two occasions taken the snake myself. 

 Once when descending the Tenasserim river in company with 

 Dr. Oldham, I noticed one of these snakes in the brushwood on 

 the river bank, and mistaking it for the harmless Ptyas, I 

 sprang ashore and seized it by the tail. I had no sooner done 

 so than I discovered my error, but had the presence of mind to 

 hold the creature gently, so as to induce it to suppose that with 

 a slight effort it would disengage itself, and calling to my men 

 for a ' Dah,' which was at once handed to me, I with two blows 

 severed the animal in half, the head and fore part of the trunk 

 at once rolling into the river. After some little time the head 

 was fished out, and the creature found to measure 12 feet. 



On another occasion I noticed a large crowd of Barmese round a 

 bush in which was an infuriated Gnahn surrounded by men and 

 dogs, which it kept at bay by spirited charges, when too close an 

 approach was made to it. Seizing a stout stick, I directed all 

 the men to retire to some distance, and took up my stand a few 

 yards in the open on the other side. As I anticipated, as soon 

 as the coast seemed clear, out came the Gnahn on my side, 

 straight for where I was standing, though probably without per- 

 ceiving me. In a second, I dealt him a smart blow on the head, 

 and before he could recover himself, I flung myself on top of him 

 and firmly secured him, though, as he measured 12 feet, it was as 

 much as I could do to hold him with safety, I now dragged 



