. THE SNAKES OF BANGKOK. 177 
Subfamily. JZYDROPHIINA’. The Sea Snakes. 
Siamese NAG (ngu talay). 
qv 
34. Enhydrina valakadien. 
35. Enhydris Hardwickii. 
Both the above species have been occasionally recorded from 
Bangkok, having been caught in the river Menam. The trae Sea 
Snakes are, however, strictly inhabitants of the salt water and their 
occurrence age can only be regarded as accidental, carried up ae 
bly upon some unusually heavy tide. 
As far as is known at present, all the Sea Snakes are extremely 
poisonous. 
Subfamily. HLAPIN A. 
36. Buvgarus fasciatus. The Banded Krait. 
» A 
Siamese. 9 QIN IQUN (agu sam lem). 
v 
The Siamese name refers to the marked triangular shape which 
the body ot this snake has in section, and whicn is produced chiefly 
by the prominence of the vertebral region. 
It is curious that Flower did not record this snake from 
Bangkok, or indeed meet with it himself in any part of the country. 
Its vivid and striking coloration make it unusuatly conspicuous, whilst 
its sluggish movements render it an easy victim whenever encounter- + 
ed by man. Its strictly nocturnal habits have probably saved it on 
many occasions. 
The Banded Krait, whilst by no means common in Bangkok, 
is not infrequently met with. It prefers, | believe, the open country, 
but has been found in many parts of the town. One of the finest 
specimens I ever caught, was in hiding beneath a box beside the 
Chancery at the British Legation, whilst a young one was once sent 
me, having been killed in the dining room of the mess at the Borneo 
Company. In disposition it is an extremely quiet and inoffensive 
creature, and I have never seen one attempt to bite, even under 
strong provocation. Its strange behaviour and the attitude which it 
often assumes when captured is well illustrated in the accompanying 
photograph. Instead of endeavouring to escape, it throws its body 
into a loose coil or two, and hides its head away beneath some part of 
iQr 
er " 
