330 



COLUBRID.i:. 



labials 8, fourth aud fifth entering the eye; 5 lower labials in 

 contact with the anterior chin-shields, whicli are shorter than the 

 posterior. Scales in 16 rows, the four or six median rows keeled. 

 Ventrals 193-205; anal divided; subcaudals 123-137. Green 

 above, scales black-edged ; yellowish green below ; two broad deep- 

 black bands along each side of the tail, advancing forwards on the 

 trunk to its middle third in adult specimens, and nearly to the 

 head in young ones ; the t\^o upper bands separated from each 

 other by the joining halves of the two vertebral series of scales. 



Total length 7 feet (grows to 9) ; tail 2 feet. 



Hab. Himalayas (4000 to 7100 feet), Khasi Hills, and Kakhyen 

 Hills, Upper Burma. 



Genus COLUBER *, 



Limi. Syst. Nat. i, p. .375 (part.), 1706; Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii, p. 125, 

 1837. 



Maxillary teeth 12 to 22, subequal in size ; mandibular teeth 

 subequal. Head distinct from neck, elongate ; eye moderate, with 

 round pupil ; head-shields normal. Body elongate, feebly com- 

 pressed; scales smooth or keeled, with apical pits, in 19 to 27 

 rows ; ventrals usually with a more or less marked lateral keel ; 

 subcaudals double. 



A large genus, distributed over the greater part of Europe, Asia, 

 aud Xorth aud Tropical America. Habits arboreal or subarboreal ; 

 fierce, aud feeding chiefly on small mammals and birds. 



Head of Coluber hochjfonii. 



Synopsis of Indian, Ceylonese, and Burmese Species. 



A. Scales .smooth or feebly keeled ; ventrals 

 without well-marked lateral keel. 

 a. Anal usually single. 



a'. Scales in 23 to 27 rows C. hclenn, p. 331. 



h'. Scales in 19 or 21 rows C. reticularis, p. 332. 



* Inphides ElcqyJns, Calojjclfis, CyiKypliis, Compsosoma, Spilotcs, and Gony- 

 osoma. The species referred to Gonyosoma stand in the same relation to Elayhis 

 and Compsosoma as tlie green Ahlahes {Cyclophis), Bipsas, or Trimeresurus to 

 the other species of those genera. 



