282 BULLETIN 58, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, 



Dimensions. 



mm. 



Total length 522 



Snout to vent 382 



Vent to tip of tail 140 



This snake is not a large one, and a length of 700 mm. is probably 

 seldom exceeded. 



Variation. — Comparatively little variation is noted in the head 

 shields of this species. The ninth supralabial noted in one of the 

 Taipa specimens is merely a narrow wedge interpolated between the 

 second and third supralabials, as shown in fig. 245. The range of 

 ventrals and siibcaudals is also restricted in the Formosan series, as 

 shown in the table given below, but in specimens from all over the 

 wide area inhabited by this species they vary between 120 and 161 

 and between 50 and 89, respectively. It seems, however, as if this 

 wide range is more or less correlated with various geographical 

 subdivisions. 



Habitat. — From India to Philippine Islands and China. One of 

 the most widely distributed species in southeastern Asia. 



There are five species in the British Museum, collected by R. S win- 

 hoe in Formosa, and I have recorded four specimens from Taipa, 

 Formosa, collected by Mr. Tada. Our museum has since received 

 three more from the same locality through Mr. Owston. In the Ham- 

 burg Museum there is also a specimen (No. 1563) collected by Doctor 

 Warburg at Kelung, northern Formosa. 



