124 



colubrid;e. 



and 3 or 4 postocuLars ; temporals 2 + 2 or 2 + 3 (rarely 1 + 2); 

 9 upper labials, fourth or fourth and Hftli entering the eve ; 5 

 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields, which are 

 shorter than the posterior. Scales more or less strongly keeled, of 

 2 or 3 outer rows smooth, in 19 (exceptionally 17) rows. Ventrals 

 125-150 ; anal divided ; subcaudals 65-90." Yellowish or pale 

 olive-brown above in life, usually with black spots arranged 



Pig. 42. — Head of Tropiclonotus pismior. 



quincuncially, these spots sometimes so large as to occupy nearly 

 the whole upper surface, which appears black with small yellowish 

 spots ; the dark spots sometimes very indistinct ; bright scarlet 

 markings sometimes present on the sides ; two black streaks on 

 each side of the head, one below and the other behind the eye ; 

 sometimes a pair of small black-edged yellow spots close together 

 on tlie parietal region ; yellowish or whitish beneath, the shields 

 often edged wWh black. 



The variety with black stripes (4 on the nape, 5 on the body), 

 T. melanozostus, Boie, has not yet been found in the JNIalay 

 Peninsula. 



Total length 1200 millim. ; tail 300. 



Prom India aiul Southern China to the Malay Peninsula and 

 Archipelago. 



More thoroughly aquatic than any of its congeners in the Malay 

 Peninsula, feeding on fish and frogs. Capt. Plower observes tliat 

 when newly caught and frightened it is apt to be fierce, but soon 

 becomes tame in captivity. Most authors agree as to its ferocity. 

 Like most, if not all, of the Indo-Malayan species of this geinis, 

 it lays eggs, the number in one clutch being large, up to about 40. 



