28 



6. Python curtus Schlegcl. 



Python curias^ Schlegel, Dierentuin, Kept. 1872, p. 54, witli fig. 

 Python ciirlus^ Boulenger, Cat. Sn. I 1893, p. 89 (s. syn.). 



Rostral more broad than deep, visible from above, with a 

 deep pit on each side; internasals as long as broad; two pair 

 of large praefrontals; frontal longitudinally divided; supraocular 

 large; several pair of transverse parietals; loreal large; a prae- 

 ocular with small scales below it (fig. 15); one or two post- 

 oculars; sometimes a series of suboculars; ten or eleven upper 

 labials, two anterior deeply pitted; anterior and posterior lower 

 labials feebly pitted. Scales in 53 — 57 rows; ventrals 160 — 175, 

 anal entire; subcaudals 26 — 32. 



Brown or red above, with round pale spots, sometimes con- 

 fluent, on the vertebral line; flanks with grey, black-edged 



Fig. 15. Python curtus Schleg. Nat. size. 



spots or wavy bands; head with a black median line, followed 

 by white, black-edged spots; a broad dark band on each side 

 of the head, with an oblique white streak from the eye to 

 the corner of the mouth. Lower surface whitish, sometimes 

 spotted with brown. Length of head and body 1250 mm.; 

 tail 120 mm.; attains a length of 3 M. 



Habitat: Sumatra (Medan in Deli!, Surbo Dolok in Raja 

 Mts.); Borneo (Kuching, Lawas in Bruni, Sibu, Telang). — 

 Singapore; Malay Peninsula. 



Likes swampy country; feeds chiefly on rats. 



4. Chondropython Meyer. 



(A. 15. Meyer, Mod. Berl. Ac. p. 1314, 1874). 



Head distinct from neck, covered with small scales; nostril 

 in a single or divided nasal; a pair of internasals, separating 

 the nasals, and separated from each other by small scales; 



