1^73.] G. E. Dobson — On a double-headed Snake. 23 



01 inch in vertical height. Between these two connecting folds of integu- 

 ment and the sides of the ears a hollow square is contained. This concavity 

 is empty and open only from above. At the base of the funnel shaped 

 anterior boundary a few long hairs exist, similar to those found at the 

 bottom of the frontal sac of some species of Phyllorhine Bats. The 

 remaining portions of the cell and its boundaries are naked. 



The animals of this genus possess the power of folding the ear conch 

 forwards, downwards, and outwards, thus closing the external ear ; when 

 the ears are closed the funnel shaped portion of integument connecting 

 them in front, in this species, is drawn forwards disclosing the cavity 

 behind. In the erect condition of the ears the same funnel shaped projection 

 is drawn backwards across this square hollow cavity, which it covers, as the 

 pitcher of Nepenthes is covered by the leaf forming its lid. In this posi- 

 tion the extremity of the funnel is flattened out, and lies in the space 

 contained between the posterior connecting band and the top of the head. 



In other respects this species resembles Nye. plicatus very closely. The 

 thumb is longer than in most species of the genus ; and the wing membrane 

 is attached a short distance below the knee joint. 



.2 1 — 1 2 — 2 3 3 



Dentition — m. — ; c. - — - ; p. m. , m. , 



4 1—1 x 2—2' 3—3' 



The upper incisors are placed in the centre of the space between the 



canines, and are separated by a very narrow interval from each other. 



Length, head and body 2-8 inches ; tail 17 ; tail free from interfemoral 



membrane TO ; ear, 09 ; tragus 01 ; forearm 19 ; thumb 05 ; second 



finger 3 - G ; fourth finger 1*8 ; tibia 07 ; foot and claws, - 4. 



3. — On a double-headed snake presented to the Indian Museum by Dr. B. F, 

 Thompson, Civil Surgeon, Huyhli ; — By Gr. E. Dobson, B. A., M. B. 



(Abstract.) 



Dr. Dobson exhibited, on behalf of the donor, a very remarkable double- 

 headed monstrous form of snake (Lycodon aulicus). 



The specimen appears rather to represent two snakes fused into one at 

 a short distance behind the neck, as each head is perfect, and is joined by a 

 distinct neck with the body which soon becomes connected with the body 

 of the other snake. The twin bodies are connected, before becoming 

 completely united, by a band of skin about mid-way between the posterior 

 extremity of the head and the point of complete union in one body. Total 

 length of the specimen, measured from the snout of one snake to the tip of 

 the tail, 73 inches ; snout to point of complete union 09 inches. 



The only other specimen of double-headed snake in the Indian Museum 

 was sent to the Museum of the Asiatic Society by the Nawab of Dacca 

 many years ago. It is a specimen of Naja tripudians about 18 inches long 



