390 



BULLETIN 58, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



321 



^22 



Description. — Adult female: Fifth Higher Middle School collection, 

 Kumamoto, No. B 25; Okinawa sliima, E,iu Kiu archipelago; 1891 

 (figs. 320-322). Rostral broader than high; frontal longer than its 



distance from end of snout ; parie- 

 tals very long, as long as frontal 

 and prefrontals together, and 

 more than twice the distance from 

 frontal to rostral; one preocnlar; 

 two postoculars; temporals 1 + 1 ; 

 7 siipralabials, third and fourth 

 entering eye; 4 lower labials in 

 contact with anterior chin-shields; 

 13 scale rows; ventrals 193; anal 

 divided; subcaudals 29 pairs. 

 Color (in alcohol) above irides- 

 cent blackish blue with four longi- 

 tudinal light bands, the two 

 median bands being apparently 

 reddish, the two outer ones white, 

 the former commencing on inner 

 anterior corner of parietals and 

 continuing to end of tail, the lat- 

 ter beginning on sides of neck and 

 ending on sides in front of anus; 

 across this longitudinal pattern there is a transverse one consisting of 

 about fourteen (of which one on the tail) irregular cross bands of 

 bluish black, edged with white, more or less interrupted by the 

 longitudinal stripes so as to form two superimposed ocelli; these 

 black cross bands are carried across the belly on a single ventral; 

 underside whitish with numerous large and irregular blackish blue 

 blotches; labials of both jaws mottled light and blackish. 



Dimensions. 



mm. 



Total lengtli 518 



Snout to vent 474 



Vent to tip of tail 44 



Variation. — With the exception of one specimen having 8 su]ira- 

 labials on one side, the head-shields show no noteworthy variation. 

 In the specimens recorded the ventrals range between 183 and 204, 

 the subcaudals between 27 and 30 only. 



The coloration is also very constant. The only variation is a slight 

 one in the nmnber of the cross bands. Thus Science College Museum 

 No. 3 has only 8 complete bands on body, while No. 25 in the Imperial 

 Museum, Tokyo, has 10, both having one at the vent and one on tail. 



Doctor Wall, since the above was written, has reported upon six 

 specimens obtained in Okinawa by Owston's collectors, and states 



Figs. 320-322.— Hemibungarus boettgeri. -i X 

 nat. size. 320, top of head; 321, side of head. 

 Enlarged. 322, color pattern around middle 

 OF body. No. B25, High School, Kumamoto. 



