'202 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIITY, Vol. XVI!. 



reduce by 2, 4, G or even more rows from before backwards, but the 

 odd number is preserved on the body — (Caution — I do not include the 

 tail), -with one notable exception, viz., the species under discussion, 

 Zamenis mucasus. In this the scales number 17 in the front of the 

 body, but reduce to 14 or li posteriorly. This point in itself is suffi- 

 cient to distinguish this from all other snakes in our region.* Another 

 feature characteristic of this snake is tho triole loreal. (See I, fig. 1 B). 

 lnalmo.tall snakes possessing a loreal, this is a single shield inter- 

 posed between the praeooular, and the nasals. In a few species there 

 are two, but in this there are three normally, one anterior, and two 

 superposed behind. Occasional aberrant specimens may be seen with 

 only z loreals, or even with 4 or 5. 



In colour, and markings which 1 have already represented as faulty 

 guides in the identification of all snakes, both the species of Zaocys al- 

 ready referred (o, as well as Xenelaphis heaayoioivs and Zamenis 

 korros, closely resemble it, and all aro of very similar proportions. 

 fl t'ints. — Thera is scarcely a situation, whether in hill or dale, forest or 

 maidan, arid, swampy or cultivated tract, tree, biihh, or habitation in 

 which it may not take up its abode. It is quito at heme in ihe ] rcx- 

 imity of man, and 'n to be met with in the gardens of populated areas 

 within our largest cities almost as plentifully as in ihe more tirrquil 

 quarters of the Cantonment. In such localities, in deference to man's 

 hostile inclinations, it i^ forced to retire during Ihe day ii.to sen o s-e- 

 cura retreat, commonly taking up its abode in an ant-hill, drain or other 

 convenient hole in the compound, or even in the out-houses, or bunga- 

 low itself. Like other snakes it loves old masonry, and is oitrn flush- 

 ed from or seen retiring into the crevices and crypts furnished by eld 

 walls or brick wells. In Rangoon with the aid of a bicycle lamp to 

 illuminate tin gloom of tin little galleries loft for drainage purpuses 

 in the faces of the fort, walls I frequently found one coiled up, and pro- 

 voked it to a speody exit. In the bungalow it may tenant the Lase- 

 ment, but not infrequently finds its way up into tho roof where it may 

 reside above the coiling cloth, and though fc;w may dot m it as such it. 

 is certainly entitled to the cons'deration of a welcome friend. Tho late 

 Chaplain of Cannanore, the Reverend U. B. Redding, told me that once 

 when in conversation with a lady, upon whom he was calling, a 

 acinic »Tin 2 was heard overhead on the c-iling eb-th, and a rat foil 



* In Zaocys ihe sdles reduce, but they are maintained in tven rows. 



