PTTHOK. 



245 



Synopsis of Indian Genera. 



I. PythonincB, Teeth iu pra?maxillary bone ; a supra- 



orbital bone ; subcaudals in two rows. 



Head with large shields ; a mental grooye .... 



II. Boince. Prfemaxillar}' bone toothless ; no supraorbital 



bone ; subcaudals in a single row. 



Head covered with small scales; no mental grooye. 

 Head covered with small scales; a mental gTOOve. 



[p. 245. 

 Pythox, 



[p. 24G. 



GOKGYLOPHIS. 



Er\x, p. 247. 



Genus PYTHON, 



Daudiu, Hist. Kept, v, p. 22G (part.), 1803, 



Anterior maxillary and mandibulary teeth very long. Head 

 with large symmetrical shields : rostral, anterior upper labials aud 

 anterior and posterior lower labials with pits. Eye small, with 

 vertical pupil. Scales very small, smooth. Tail prehensile ; 

 subcaudals in t\AO rows. 



Fig. 74. — Head oi Python molurtts. 



Pythons, or Eock-Snakes, are, like other Boidce, o\ iparous ; and 

 the curious fact that the female incubates her eggs by coiling herself 

 roiuid them has been repeatedly observed in menageries. Snakes 

 oP this genus are nocturnal ; they live on trees near the w ater, w Iiich 

 they frequently enter, aud they feed on mammals and birds. 



Seven species of Pi/thoa are known, four from Africa aud three 

 from Asia. The latter may be distinguished as follows : — 



Four anterior upper labials pitted ; 00-75 scales 



across the body; 297-:^.aO ventrals; 82-102 



subcaudals P. reticidatvs, p. 246. 



Two anterior upper labials ])itted ; 60-75 scales 



across the body ; 242-265 ventrals ; 60-72 



subcaudals /'. molurus, p. 246. 



Two anterior upper labials pitted ; 53-55 scales 



across the body; 160-175 ventrals; 28-32 



subcaudals P. cnrtus. 



