108 :boidje. 



12 to 14 upper labials, 4 anterior deeply pitted, seventh or eighth 

 entering the eye ; 2 or 3 of the anterior and 5 or 6 of the posterior 

 lower labials pitted. Scales in 69 to 79 rows. Ventrals 297-330; 

 anal entire ; subcaudals 78-102. Light yellowish or brown 

 above, with large circular, rhomboidal, or X-shaped- bluish-black 

 markings ; young with three longitudinal series of light, black- 

 edged spots ; a black line along the middle of the head, from the 

 end of the snout to the nape, and another on each side from 

 behind the eye to the angle of the mouth ; lower parts yellowish, 

 w^ith small brown spots on the sides, or nearly entirely brown. 



Mr, Eidley mentions having seen a very dark, almost black 

 variety. 



Grrows to a length of 30 feet, or more. 



Burma and. Indo-Chiua, Malay Peninsula and. Archipelago. 



Fairly numerous in suitable places in the Malay Peninsula, 

 where it is often mis-named " Boa constrictor " by the European 

 residents. 



This snake is nocturnal and lives chiefly on trees near the water, 

 which it readily enters, and feeds on mammals and birds which ity 

 kills by constriction like all members of this family. Lays large 

 oval, sott-shelled eggs, which the female incubates by coiling herself 

 round them. 



115. Python molurus. 



Coluber molurtis, Limi. Syst. Nat. i, p. '^87 (1766). 



Python molurus, Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 44 (184:^) ; Giiuth. Ilept. Brit. 

 Ind. p, 331 (1864) ; Stoliczka, Journ. Asiat. 8oc. Bengal, xxxix, 

 p. 205 (1870) ; Bouleiig. Fami. Brit. Ind., Kept. p. 246 (1890) ; id. 

 Cat. Sn. i, p. 88 (1893). 



Rostral broader than deep ; iuternasals not more than once and 

 a half as long as broad, followed by a pair of large praefrontals ; a 

 large supraocular, separated from its fellow by a pair of frontals ; 

 11 to 13 upper labials, 2 anterior deeply pitted, sixth or seventh 

 entering the eye, if not separated by a series of suboculars ; a few 

 of the anterior and posterior lower labials feebly pitted. Scales 

 in 61 to 75 rows, Ventrals 242-265 ; anal entire ; subcaudals 

 60-72. Greyish brown or yellowish above, with a doi'sal series of 

 large elongate subquadrangular reddish-brown black-edged spots, 

 and on each side one or two series of smaller spots with light 

 centres ; a dark laiice-shaped marking on the head and nape ; 

 a lateral brown stripe passing through the eye, and a brown vertical 

 bar below the eye ; lower parts yellowish, sides brown-spotted. 



Grows to 30 feet, but a much lieavier snake than the preceding. 



India and Ceylon, Southern China, Burma, Malay Peninsula, 

 Java. 



Appears to be rare in the Malay Peninsula; neither Mr. llobinson 

 nor Mr. Eidley has ever come across a specimen ; recorded from 

 the Province Wellealey by Stolicaka. Possibly introduced. 



