344 COLUBRID.E. 



Hah. Himalayas from Kashmir to Assam (up to 10,000 feet) and 

 Khdsi Hills. 



This very variable species connects Trojndonotus with Zamenis. 

 The keels on the scales are sometimes, especially in females, wanting 

 throughout the greater part of the body. 



425. Tropidonotus khasiensis. 



Eye moderate ; its diameter not more than its distance from the 

 nostril ; rostral just visible from above ; suture between the inter- 

 nasals as long as that between the prgefrontals ; frontal slightly 

 longer than its distance from the end of the snout, shorter than 

 the parietals ; loreal as long as deep or a little longer than deep ; 

 one or two prseoculars ; three postoculars ; temporals 1 + 1 ; upper 

 labials 9 normally, fourth, fifth, and sixth entering the eye ; 5 

 lower labials in contact \\ ith the anterior chin-shields, which are 

 shorter than the posterior. Scales in 19 rows, rather strongly 

 keeled, the outer row smooth. 150-154 ventrals ; anal divided ; 

 subcandals 80-100. .Pale brown above, some of the scales edged 

 with darker ; head with more or less distinct yellowish dots or ver- 

 miculations ; labials yellow in the middle and dark bro\vn on the 

 borders; an oblique yellow streak edged with dark brown on each 

 side of the nape, forming the continuation of the series of yellow 

 labial spots ; ventrals and subcaudals yellowish, with an interrupted 

 brown streak or series of spots along each side. 



Total length 23 inches ; tail 7-5. 



Ilab. Khcisi Hills. 



426. Tropidonotus heddomii. 



Spilotes vittatus, Beildome, Madras Joitrn. Med. Sc. 1863. 

 Tropidonotus beddomii, Gilnth. Itept. B. I. p. 269, pi. xxii, fig. E ; 

 Theob. Cat. p. 176. 



Eye moderate, its diameter in the adult equalling its distance 

 from the nostril ; rostral just visible from above ; suture between 

 the internasals as long as that between the pra^frontals ; frontal 

 longer than its distance from the end of the snout, a little shorter 

 than the parietals ; loreal as long as deep or deeper than long ; one 

 pra;ocular ; three (rarely two) postoculars : tempoi-als 1 -f- 1 or 1 -{-2 ; 

 upper labials 8 or 9, third, fourth, and fifth, or fourth, fifth, and 

 sixth, entering the eye; 5 lower labials in contact \\'\\\\ the anterior 

 chin-shields, which are shorter than the posterior. Scales in 19 

 rows, rather strongly keeled, the outer, however, perfectly smooth. 

 Ventrals 131-150 ; anal divided ; subcaudals 05-75. Bro\\'n above ; 

 a series of yellow s])ots, each between two black s]iots or short 

 transverse bands, along each side of the back ; upper labials yel- 

 lowish with black sutiH'es; a yellow, black-edged, oblique streak 

 from the eye to the gape ; a yellow band across the nape, behind 

 the parietals, becoming indistinct w ith age ; belly white, closely 

 dotted with bro\\n on the sides. 



Total length 20 inches ; tail 5. 



IT(d>. Wynaad, Nilgiris, Anaimalais (4700 feet). 



