25 



Scales — 15, smooth, rounded. 



Ventrals— ISO to 202; anal bifid. Sub-caudals 48— 54 

 bifid. 



Colouring — Brown with numerous narrow dark fascio- 

 lated cross lines, crossed by three longitudinal 

 whitish stripes ; belly white. Head with 

 symmetrical > markings which are charac- 

 teristic of the whole genus. 



Habitat —Said to be cominoii in the South of India. 



Note. — Other species are very similar but generally with 

 fewer ventrals. 



SIM0TE3 ARNENSI6 {No English name). * 



Length — Grows to 2 feet. Tail one-seventh. 



Shape — Similar to Oligodon subgriseus, but, like nearly 

 all other snakes, it has palatine teeth. 



Head shields — The internasals are short and transverse 

 and the rostral is produced backwards be- 

 tween them. Nostril lies between two nasals. 



Scales — 17, smooth. 



Ventrals — 160 to 200; anal bifid. Sub-caudals 47 — 56^ 

 divided. 



Colouring — Brown with 20 to 30 or more broad black, 

 very slightly Avhite-edged cross-bands. Belly 

 white. 



Head markings very distinct ; a black fillet 

 through the eyes ; a > rising from the throat, 

 the point on the frontal shield, the first 

 cross-band forming another > behind it. 



Habitat — Common in India and Ceylon. 



^ Simotes Russellii > Nicholson). 



