THE PYTHONS AND BOAS 



2545 



]ec ^ s 



According to Mr. Boulenger, the number of species of python is 

 nine, which may be divided into two groups, according as to whether 

 the number of pairs of shields on the lower surface of the tail exceeds 

 or falls short of fifty. The former group may be further subdivided into two sec- 

 tions, according as to whether the number of scales in a row round the thickest 

 part of the body varies from thirty-nine to sixty, or from sixty-one to ninety-three. 



AFRICAN PYTHON SWALLOWING A BIRD. 

 (One-eighth natural size.) 



The first representative of the former of these subgroups is the Australian diamond 

 snake (P. spilotis], represented in the illustration on p. 2547, which is characterized 

 by the crown of the head being covered with scales or small irregular shields, and 

 the presence of pits on two or three of the upper labial shields of the snout. This 

 snake, which was formerly referred to a genus apart {Morelia), is an inhabitant of 

 New Guinea and Australia, and is of comparatively-small size, attaining a total 

 length of only about six and one- half feet; its coloration being extremely variable. 

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