310 COLTJBEIDJE. 



Distribution. Soutliern China, East Indian Continent and Archi- 

 pelago. About 20 species are known. Closely allied to C'oroneUa, 

 from M'hich this genus is distinguished by the shorter maxillary 

 with more strongly enlarged posterior teeth. Habits terrestrial; 

 species of Simotes feed on lizards and snakes, and are of a fierce 

 disposition. 



Synopsis of Indiaii, Ceylonese, and Burmese Species. 



A. Anal entire. 



a. 19 or 21 series of scales. 



a' . Two superposed anterior temporals ; 

 usually a subocular between 3rd and 4tli 

 upper labials ; 4tli and 5th labials enter- 

 ing the eye. 

 a". Four internasals; ventrals not an- 



gulate laterally S. splendidus, p. 310. 



h" . Two internasals; ventrals angulate 



laterally S. cydurus, p. 311. 



h' . A single anterior temporal ; 3rd and 4tli 



labials entering the eye 'S'. cdhocincttis, p. 312, 



h. 17 series of scales, 



a' , 4th and 5tli upper labials entering the 



eye ; a single anterior temporal S. violaceits, p, 312, 



b'. 3rd and 4th upper labials entering the 

 eye ; 2 superposed anterior tem- 

 porals , S. octolineatus, p. 313. 



B. Anal divided. 



a. 17 series of scales. 



a . Subcaudals more than 40. 



a" . Nostril between two nasals ; 3rd and 



4th upper labials entering the eye .... S. arncnsis, p. 314. 

 b". Nasal undivided ; 4th and 5th labials 



entering eye S. beddomii, p. 314. 



b' Subcaudals less than 40. 



a". Loreal longer than posterior nasal .... -S'. fheobaldi, p. 315. 

 b". Loreal notlonger than posterior nasal . . S. cruentatus, p. 315. 



b. 15 series of scales S. torquatm, p. 31G, 



1 3 series of scales ^S'. phmicejjs, p. 31G. 



c. 



375, Simotes splendidus. 

 Simotes splendidus, Giinth. P. Z. S, 1875, p. 231, pi. xxxiii, 



Nasal divided ; portion of rostral seen from above as long as its 

 distance from the frontal ; each of the internasals broken up into 

 two shields, there being four small shields in a transverse series ; 

 frontal longer than its distance from the end of the snout, slightly 

 longer than the parietals ; loreal deeper than long ; pra30calar 

 single, with a small subocular below, between the third and fourth 

 labials; 2 or 3 postoculars ; temporals 2 + 3; upper labials 8, 

 fourth and fifth entering the eye ; 4 lower labials in contact with 



