RINGED SNAKE. 49 
SQUAMATA. A 
(OPHIDIA.) COLUBRIDE. 
Genus, Natriz, Laur. 
Generic Character.—Head distinct, oblong-ovate, depressed, covered with 
scuta ; gape wide ; body very long, nearly cylindrical, slightly depressed ; tail 
cylindrical, slender; scales imbricated, placed in longitudinal series, lanceolate, 
generally carinated ; abdominal shields simple, arched at the margin; caudal 
shields biserial. 
RINGED SNAKE. 
COMMON SNAKE, 
Natrixz torquata. Ray. 
Specific Character—Above greyish olive, with several rows of alternate black 
spots ; beneath greenish yellow, tessellated with black (sometimes almost wholly 
black) ; an interrupted yellow fascia across the neck, followed by two black 
spots ; scales lanceolate, acutely carinated ; tail about one-fourth the length of 
the body. 
E 
