21 



Rostral as broad as deep, visible from above, with a deep 

 pit on each side; internasals about one time and a half as 

 long as broad; a pair of large praefrontals; supraocular large, 

 sometimes divided; frontal large, usually single; two prae- and 

 three or four postoculars; twelve to fourteen upper labials, 

 four anterior deeply pitted, seventh or eighth entering the eye; 

 two or three anterior and five or six posterior lower labials 



Fig. 9. Python reticulatus (Schn.) 



pitted (fig. 9). Scales in 69 — 79 rows; ventrals 297 — 330; anal 

 entire; subcaudals 78 — 102. 



Yellowish or brown above, with large dark markings, cross- 

 shaped or rhomboidal; a black median line on the head from 

 the tip of the snout to the nape; an oblique dark line from 

 the eye to the corner of the mouth. Lower surface yellowish 

 with small brown spots or brown. Young specimens with 

 three series of whitish, black-edged spots on the back and 

 sides. Total length 7.25 M. ; attains a length of 9 M. 



Nom. indig. Ular sawah, ular santja (mal.); sawah-n-etem 

 (Simalur); ular petola (Ambon). 



Habitat: Simalur!; Nias; Mentawei Islands (Sipora); Su- 

 matra (Atjeh!, Pangkalan Brandan!, Labuan, Medan!, Bralrang!, 

 Langkat, Serdang!, Djambi!, Kertadjaja, Tandjung Laut, Pa- 

 lembang!, Battak Highlands, Padang Bedagei, Ringgat!, Indra- 

 giri, Padang Highlands!); Banka!; Riou!; Natuna Islands; 

 Borneo (Singkawang, Sebruang Valley, Kuching, Baram, Lundu, 

 Oya, Rejang river, Sandakan Bay, Bulangan river, Samarinda!, 

 Balikpapan, Muara Djawa!, Bandjermassin); Java! (Batavia, 

 Buitenzorg, Depok, Tengger Mts. 1200 M.); Sumbawa; Flores; 

 Timor!; Celebes (Gorontalo, Minahassa, Manado!, Kema, Kona- 

 weha river, Kandari, Macassar); Buton; Obi major!; Batjan; 

 Ternate!; Halmahera!; Ambon!; Ceram!; Banda; Timor Laut. — 



