4 ARKIV FOR ZOOLOGI. BAND 7. N:0 7. 



Both the ventrals and the subcaudals are, as shown, more 

 numerous than Boulenger states as the maximum in this 

 species (viz. 203 and 111). The species seems to prefer damp 

 places, but the natives say, however, that it Hkes dry localities 

 rather more than the following species does, being oftener found 

 in the forest than the latter; they call it »rama vali». He Hves 

 mostly on frogs. 



Dromicodryas (luadrilineatus Dum. & Bibr. 



BouLGR., Cat. sn. /, 'p. 190; Boettger, Ahhandl. Senck. 

 Ges. XII, p. 443; Jan, Icon. Gén. 31, Pl. IV, fig. 2. 



Three specimens from S:te Marie de Marovoay. Total 

 length 890—1090 mm; tail 260—300 mm. V. 200—206, Subc. 

 110— 116 pairs. 



All the specimens ha ve four dark stripes on the back, two 

 broader innermost and two narrower outermost, but only one 

 has the general yellow spöts on the head. In this latter spe- 

 cimen the head is also considerably broader than in the other 

 two and in the herjiieri -specinien. According to Boulenger^s 

 catalogue this one is a t^^pical D. quadrilineatus, which is not 

 the case as regards the two others, the heads of which are of the 

 same colour and the same shape as in the 6er/^^er^-specimen. 

 The characters, established as distinguishing the two species, 

 being rather unimportant, and as shown, merging besides into 

 each other, I believe that there are no sufficient grounds for 

 their specifical distinction. The only difference I am able to 

 find out from the specimens and from the descriptions is the 

 different number of the dark longitudinal stripes, which are 

 three in D. hernieri and four in D. quadrilineatus, but this dif- 

 ference too may disappear, the two innermost stripes in the 

 latter species sometimes running into one (the variet}^ trili- 

 neata). 



The natives, however, distinguish the three- and four- 

 striped forms, calling the latter »maro longo », w^iich according 

 to Mr. Kaudern signifies a numerous genus. This snake is 

 the most common one in the districts explored, and is to be 

 found everywhere both during the rainy and the dry seasons. 

 Like the preceding species it feeds upon frogs. 



Tropidonotiis lateralis Dum. & Bibr. 

 BouLGR., Cat. Sn. I, p, 269. 



