l9 



Shape — Head : scarcely distinct, with obtuse snout. 

 Body : slender. 

 Tail : moderate. 

 Eye: moderate in size. 



Head shields — Normal. A single long nasal, pierced 

 by the nostril. The loreal is fused with the 

 nasal. A single prse-ocular. Internasals and 

 prse-frontals, broad and short. Upper labials 

 7 (3 and 4). 



Scales — 15, smooth. 



Ventrals — 129 to 138 ; anal bifid. Sub-caudals 50 — 83, 

 divided. 



Colouring— Liight olive, with a reticulated pattern 

 formed by a black edge to each scale. This 

 reticulation forms four thick lines along the 

 back, two on each side of the middle line ; also 

 two thin lines on each side, ^.e., two lateral 

 lines. Alternate with these are five white 

 lines (on each side). Belly white. 



Habitat — Ceylon and South of India. 



THE VARIECiATED KUKRI SNAKE (Oligodon subgriseus). 



Length — 10 to 18 inches. 

 Shape — Head: short, not distinct from neck. 

 Body : sub-cylindrical. A small snake. 

 Tail : one-seventh of body. 

 Eye : small ; pupil round, iris golden. 

 Teeth : no palatine teeth * 

 Head shields— ^ostrW between two partly confluent 

 nasals. One prse-ocular ; one or two post- 

 ocular. Rostral produced backwards. Supra- 

 labials 7 (3 and 4). 



* A very exceptioaal characteristic. 



