POPULAR TREATISE ON COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 563 



syncranterian type (i.e. rapidly increasing in size from before back- 

 wards). The palatine bone supports a single small tooth (sometimes 

 none ?) situated about the middle of its length. The vierygoid series 

 number 6 to 10 *, and are preceded by a long edentulous space. The 

 mandibular series number about 12, which are compressed, rather 

 small and subequal. A short edentulous space that would accommo- 

 date about one tooth precedes the dental array. (See Figs. D and F of 

 Diagram). 



* Boulenger says (Cat. Vol. II., p. 233) that there are do pterygoid teeth in the Oligodon- 

 tides, but he is mistaken. In the three species of which I have skulls (subgriseus, dorsalis 

 and venustus) pterygoid teeth are present. 



(To be continued.) 



