56 COLUBRID.E. 



third its length. Body very long ; the 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 al- 

 most obsolete. Abdominal plates broad, transverse, in num- 

 ber about one hundred and seventy ; subcaudal plates from 

 sixty to sixty-five pairs. 



The upper parts 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 alternately down the 

 back, and larger ones at the sides ; all of which vary in size, 

 as well as in the degree of their approximation 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. 



