HYDROPHIS. 391 



of cliin shields, in contact with one another, 29-33 

 rows of scales round the neck. Scales imbricate, each 

 with a central tubercle, those on the posterior half of 

 the trunk as high as longandroundedbehind, Ventrals 

 3'20, twice or thince as large as the scales of the adjoin- 

 ingseries, nearly all undivided. Pra3-anals of moderate 

 size. Trunk surrounded by from 42-48 black rings, 

 scarcely broader on the back than on the sides and be- 

 low, about half as broad as the interspaces of the 

 Hydrophis spiralis. gi-Qund colour. A series of round black spots alter- 

 nating with the black rings along the vertebral line, commencing either 

 before, on, or behind the middle of its length. Head above black, with 

 a horse shoe-shaped yellow mark, the convexity of which rests on the 

 frontal shields. Lower half of upper lip, chin and throat yellowish ; belly 

 black for nearly its anterior half; posterior part of the tail black. 



Hah. — Sind and Kutch Coasts, also Madras. Dr. Gunther says the 

 "Indian Ocean," and does not specify localities of the specimens in 

 the British Museum. Attains to 6 feet in length. 



Hydrophis Bisliopii, Sp. Nov. 



Plate 



Head scarcely distinct from neck. 31-33 scales round the neck; 35-36 

 round the middle of the body. Scales on the posterior half of the body 

 with a feeble sub-central keel. Rosti^al triangular, broader than long, 

 forming a suture with the pros-frontal, which is divided furcately to 

 receive it. Prge-frontal longer than broad. Frontals nearly five-sided. 

 Vertical triangular in front, truncated behind. Occipitals twice as long- 

 as its greatest breadth. Three temporals along the side of each occipital, 

 the anterior the largest, entering the labial margin, and forming the 6th 

 upper labial. Upper labials seven, 3rd and 4th entering the orbit. One 

 prasand two post-oculars. Two pair of chin shields in contact with each 

 other. Ventrals 372, smooth, twice the breadth of the adjoining scales. 

 Anal shields small, six in number. Last scale of tail four times the size of 

 the adjoining ones. The length of tail nearly four times its breadth. 

 A large patch of greenish olive on the middle of the head, rest of facial 

 portion salmon colour, also the lower labials. Trunk greenish yellow 

 dorsally, and whitish below, encircled with 41 black rings round the 

 body, which are broader above and below, — two rings on the tail. Each 

 scale in the interspaces edged with black at the base. 



Hah. — Kurrachee. I am indebted to Captain Bishop, of the I. G. S. 

 " Patrick Stewart,^' for the specimen described, after whom I have 

 much pleasure in naming it. 



Hydrophis cyanocincta, Band. Rep. vii. p. 383 ; Gunih. Rep. 

 Brit. Ind. -p. 367 ; Fai/r. Thanat. p. 29. Hydrophis striatus, ScJUeg, 

 Faun. Jap. Rep. p. 89. pi. 7. H. sublsevis. Gray, Zool. Misc. p. 62 ; 

 Tenn. Ceylon, p. 301. — The Chittul. 



Head of moderate size and width. Body rather elongate, generally 

 two labials below the oi'bit. Two post-oculars (exceptionally conflu- 

 ent). Two or more temporals along each side of each occipital. Two 



