SNAKES. 43 



Var. 5. The hinder part of the dorsal band nearly broken into 

 large spots ; anal spots veiy small or none. 



p. In spirits. Adult. Tail yellow, with a series of large round 



spots on dorsal edge. ? Presented by Captain Sir 



Edward Belcher, K.C.B., R.N. 



«/. In spirits. Half grown. Tail black, spotted on all parts. 

 Presented by Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, K.C.B., R.N. 



Var. 6. Gullet and side of throat black varied ; hinder part of 

 the sides >v'ith a black streak or series of black spots ; tail black 

 varied and dotted. 



r. In spirits. Adult. Hinder part of sides with a series of large 

 round black spots. India. Presented by General Hardwicke. 



s. In spirits. Young. Lateral spots few, round. ? Pre- 

 sented by Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, K.C.B., R.N. 



t. In spirits. * Half grown. Lateral spots confluent, in a continuous 

 streak. New Zealand. From Mr. Argent's collection. 



* Yellow^ with dark dorsal and ventral alternate half rings. 



2. The Ringed Pelamis. Pelamis ornata, Grat/, Zool. Misc. 

 60. Hydrus Pelamis, var., Schlegel, P. S. 511. Faun. Japon. t. 8. 



White, wdth black dorsal and ventral alternating half rings : 

 head white, black varied. 



a. In spirits. Young. Borneo. 



b. Scales square or six-sided, imbedded side hy side, smooth, or ven- 

 tral ones with a central tubercle : head moderate, rather com- 

 pressed ; gape moderate ; labial shield narrotv, high, erect ; eyes 

 over the fourth shield. Lapemina. 



2. Lapemis. 



Head moderate, rounded in front ; gape moderate : scales of 

 back small, regular, square ; those on the lower part of the sides 

 and belly larger, rather six-sided, smooth, or sometimes marked 

 with a central tubercular keel ; nostrils on the hinder part of the 

 nasal shield, with a groove from the front angle to the lower edge: 



Lapemis, Gray, Zool. Misc. 60, 1842. Hydrophis sp., Cuvier, 

 R. A. ii. 74. Enhydris sp., Merrem, Tent. 140. Pelamis sp.. 

 Baud. Rept. vii. 270. Cuvier. Merrem. 



