SERPENTES. 103 



Python bivittatus Schlegel. 



ScHLEQEL, Essai phys. Serp. 1837, 3, p. 403, pi. 15, figs. 1-2. Werner, ZooI. jahrb. Syst., 1909, 28, 3, 

 p. 273. 



Type locality: — not mentioned. 



The distribution of this form in the Indonesian area was long considered 

 limited to Java and Celebes. For a long time it was not definitely recorded 

 from Sumatra. While this island is by no means completely known herpeto- 

 logically, it is strange that so conspicuous a form, if it existed there, should have 

 gone so long undiscovered. It is, however, rare in Java compared to P. reticu- 

 latus, and possibly has been taken in Sumatra by travellers who mistook it for 

 this more common form. Werner (Zool. garten, 1899, 40, p. 24) has named a 

 race which is distinguished by its dark, rich coloration, — viz. P. m. sondaica. 

 This was based on a Uving specimen in Hagenbeck's possession which was said 

 to be from Sumatra. Javan examples seem to merit this racial name, and until 

 other Sumatran specimens are found, we may consider it applicable to Javan 

 examples only. 



Chondropython viridis (Schlegel). 

 Schlegel, Dierentuin Rept., 1872, p. 54. Boulbnger, Cat. snakes Brit, mus., 1893, 1, p. 90-91. 



Type locality: — Aru Islands. 



Color in life brilliant green with an irregular series of creamy yellow spots 

 scattered along the whole dorsal region of the body and tail. Each of these 

 spots covers a single scale. The ventral surface is chrome-yellow. Boulenger 

 {loc. cit.) notes that the color may also be "brick red with bluish, black-edged 

 spots"; this seems to be a rare coloration. The young apparently also show 

 dichromatism ; Boulenger writes, "young pinkish or yellowish, with purphsh 

 or reddish-brown markings; lower parts yellowish white." Boettger, however, 

 has figured a small specimen from southeastern New Guinea which has the 

 typical coloration of the adult first described (c/. O. Boettger in Semon's Reise, 

 6, 1, p. 120, taf. 5, fig. 3). Peters and Doria (Ann. Mus. civ. Geneva, 1878, 13, 

 p. 403-404) have examined a considerable series of examples of this Python, 

 and do not speak of any but the typical coloration: — viz. green spotted with 

 yellow. The scale formula runs 51-61, rows; 227-241, ventrals; 75-109, 

 subcaudals. In habits this species is a rather slow-moving, inoffensive, nocturnal 

 creature. It is much sought after by the Papuans as a,n article of food. 



This beautiful form, which, with the genera Aspidites and Calabaria, seems 

 to approach the boas in that they lack premaxillary teeth, is one of the generic 

 types which have been evolved from some widely spread generalized pythonine 



