194 



COLUBKID.E. 



Ventrals very feebly enlarged, 230-314. Young olive or grey 

 above, with black transverse bands, broadest in the middle and 

 tapering to a point on the sides ; in the adult these bands are 

 U!iually less distinct, some specimens being nniform dark grey 

 above ; sides and lower parts whitish. 

 Total length 1300 miUim. ; tail 190. 



Fig. 58. — E)iln;drui(i valaJiadicn. 



Persian Gulf to New Guinea. Cantor says, " Incredibly 

 Bumerous in the Bay of Bengal, at Penang and Singapore,' far 

 more so than any kno\^"n terrestrial serpent. The lishing-nets 

 are hardly ever worked but one or more are among the contents." 

 Has also been obtained on the Patani Coast and in the Gulf 

 of Siam. 



Genus THALASSOPHIS. 



Schmidt, Abb. Xatuiw. Ilamb. ii, p. 75 {lc-;'32). 



Distinguished from JJi/drophis and Enhydris by the presence 

 of a pair of iuternasal shields separating the nasal. 



Coasts of the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago. One species 

 in the Straits of Malacca. 



