RINGED SNAKE. 59 
median line of the back elevated; the neck narrowed; the 
tail very tapering, moderately pointed at the extremity, 
occupying generally about one-fifth of the entire length. 
Seales of the back oval, imbricated, each having a distinct 
carina, those of the sides broader and with the carina less 
marked, and becoming almost obsolete. Abdominal plates 
broad, transverse, in number about one hundred and 
seventy; subcaudal plates from sixty to sixty-five pairs. 
The upper parts of the body and head are of a light 
brownish grey with a green tinge, sometimes approaching 
to a dull, pale olive. The labial plates separated by distinct 
black lines. Behind the head, on the upper part, is a 
broad collar, or two lunate spots of a bright yellow colour, 
and immediately behind these are two broad transverse 
spots of black, which are also sometimes separate, at others 
confluent. Two rows of small black spots arranged alter- 
nately down the back, and larger ones at the sides; all of 
which vary in size, as well as in the degree of their ap- 
proximation to each other. Abdomen of a dull pale bluish, 
or plumbeous colour, in many specimens marbled with 
black. 
The female, as in all Ophidians, is always much larger 
than the male. 
