20 



compressed, covered with small, smooth scales. Tail moderate 

 or short, prehensile; subcaudals in two rows or the greater 

 part only. 



Distribution. Tropical and South Africa; S. E. Asia; New 

 Guinea; Australia. 



Fig. 8. Python curttis Schlegel. X "/s- 



Key to the Indo-Australian species. 



A. Subcaudals more than 50. 



I. More than 60 scales across the body. 



a. Four upper labials pitted; 78 — 102 subcaudals. i. /'. retiailatits p. 20. 

 /'. Two upper labials pitted; 60—72 subcaudals. 2. /'. niohinis p. 22. 

 II. Scales in 60 rows or less across the body. 



a. Crown with large shields; four upper labials 

 pitted. 



1. Four or five postoculars; six or seven 



lower labials pitted 3- /'• nmc/Jiyslimis p. 24. 



2. Three postoculars; five lower labials pitted. 4. J\ (iviorensh p. 25. 



b. Crown with scales or small irregular shields; 



2 — 3 upper labials pitted 5- j''- spi/olcs p. 26. 



/). Subcaudals 28 — 32; two upper labials pitted ... 6. /'. cur tits p. 28. 



I. Python reticulatus (Schn.). 



Boa reticulata^ Schneider, Hist. Amph. II 1801, p. 264. 

 Python reticulatus^ Boulenger, Cat. Sn. 1 1893, p. 85 (s. syn.). 



