11 



pi 



This extensive genus comprises by far the greater num ber 

 of the sea-snakes met with. The range of these animals 

 being unlimited by the circumstances which confine land- 

 snakes to particular localities, it may fairly be said that 

 every sea-snake of the Indian and Pacific oceans may be 

 found on the East Indian coasts ; therefore these individuals 

 not actually found on these coasts are still included in the 

 East Indian fauna. I may here mention that 6 to 7 feet is 

 the adult size of the largest of the species at present known. 

 Their colour is generally buff or dirty white, with black or 

 dull sea-blue cross-bands. One species is represented in 

 Plate X. 



Their classification is by no means complete and any 

 description of them can hardly be satisfactory. I recommend 

 persons desiring to study them (and they offer a fine field 

 for study) to refer to the detailed description in Giinther's 

 Reptiles of India ; here I shall content myself with quoting 

 his synopsis of the species : 



1. Scales more or less distinctly imbricate. 



A Scales large, in not more than 17 longitudinal series 

 round the neck : Kerilia, Gray. 



Jtleaci snort ... ... ».. ... ... ^. JerdonU. 



B Scales much hnhricate, rather small, in 43 to 47 series 



round the neck ; ventral shields split into two : 



Plydrus, (Shaiu), Gray. 



Body stout ... ... ... ... . . . jy. stokesn. 



C Scales in 23 to .38 series round the neck ; head not very 



small) anterior loart of the body {neck) not, or moderately 



slender: Hydrophis, {Daud.), Gthr. 



Head rather short and broad, neck and body 

 of moderate length One postocular. Belly 

 with only a few ventral shields. h. major. 



15 



