RINGED SNAKE. 59 



median line of the back elevated ; the neck narrowed ; the 

 tail very tapering, moderately pointed at the extremity, 

 occupying* generally about one-fifth of the entire length. 

 Scales of the back oval, imbricated, each having a distinct 

 carina, those of the sides broader and with the carina less 

 marked, and becoming almost obsolete. Abdominal plates 

 broad, transverse, in number about one hundred and 

 seventy; subcaudal plates from sixty to sixty-five pairs. 



The upper i:>arts of the body and head are of a light 

 brownish grey with a green tinge, sometimes approaching 

 to a dull, pale olive. The labial plates separated by distinct 

 black lines. Behind the head, on the upper part, is a 

 broad collar, or two lunate spots of a bright yellow colour, 

 and immediately behind these are two broad transverse 

 spots of black, which are also sometimes separate, at others 

 confluent. Two rows of small black spots arranged alter- 

 nately down the back, and larger ones at the sides ; all of 

 which vary in size, as well as in the degree of their ap- 

 proximation to each other. Abdomen of a dull pale bluish, 

 or plumbeous colour, in many specimens marbled with 

 black. 



The female, as in all Ophidians, is always much larger 

 than the male. 



