05 

 2. Xenelaphis ellipsifer Boulenger. 



Xenelaphis ellipsifer.^ Boulenger, Pioc. Zool. Soc. 1900, p. 184, pi. XVI. 



Rostral more broad than deep, visible from above; inter- 

 nasals about as long as the praefrontals; frontal as long as its 

 distance from the tip of the snout, shorter than the parietals; 

 loreal more long than deep; one praeocular, a large subocular 

 below it, wedged in between the third and fourth upper labials; 

 two postoculars, a long subocular below, between the eye and 

 the fifth and sixth labials; temporals 2 + 2; eight upper labials, 

 fourth entering the eye or separated from it; five lower labials 

 in contact with the anterior chin-shields; latter shorter than 

 the posterior. Scales in 17 rows, vertebral row not distinctly 

 enlarged; ventrals 186; anal divided; subcaudals 134. 



Cream-coloured above, with 18 large, elliptic, black-edged, 

 brown streaks; sides cream-coloured, spotted or marbled with 

 black; head and neck pale brown, sides of neck with inter- 

 rupted, black, longitudinal markings; upper lip yellow; base 

 of tail like the body, posterior part brown with a black lateral 

 streak. Lower surface uniformly yellow. Length of head and 

 body 1400 mm.; tail 600 mm. 



Type-specimen examined in the British Museum. 



Habitat: Borneo (Sarawak river, Pangkalan ampat!, 

 Kina Balu). 



17. Zamenis Wagler. 



(Wagler, Syst. Amph. p. 188, 1830). 



Head long, distinct from neck; eye large; pupil round. Maxil- 

 lary teeth 12 — 20, largest posteriorly; mandibular teeth equal, 

 or anterior enlarged. Body long, round, covered with smooth 

 or feebly keeled scales with pits, in 15 — 43 rows; ventrals 

 rounded or with an obtuse keel laterally. Tail long; subcaudals 

 in two rows. 



Distribution. Europe; Asia; N. Africa; N. & C. America. 



Key to the In do -Australian species. 



A. Scales in 13 rows; ventrals 187 — 197 \. Z. dipsas p. 96. 



B. Scales in 15 rows; ventrals 160 — 177 2. Z. korros p. 96. 



C. Scales in 17 rows; ventrals 187 — 213 3. -?. niucosus p. 98. 



