20 COLUBBID^E. 



fourth entering the eye, first smallest, sixth largest ; 4 lower 

 labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields ; posterior chin- 

 shields small. Scales in 13 rows. Ventrals 127-150; anal 

 divided ; subcaudals 19-29. Blackish brown above and below, 

 the lateral scales and the veutrals edged with lighter. 



Total length 16-5 inches; tail 1-65. 



Hob. Khasi Hills. 



Genus ASPIDURA, 

 Wagler, Syst. Amph. p. 191, 1830. 



Maxillary teeth about 20, small, equal; posterior maudibular 

 teeth a little shorter than the anterior. Head not distinct from 

 neck ; eye small, with round pupil ; nostril between two very small 



Fig. 93. Head of Aspiditra brachyorrhvt. 



nasals and the first labial ; no loreal ; a single internasal : prao- 

 ocular present or absent. Body cylindrical ; scales smooth, 

 without apical pits, in 15 or 17 rows ; tail short ; subcaudals simple. 

 Distribution. Ceylon. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



A. Scales in 17 rows. 



a. Both postoculars in contact with parietal ; 



ventrals 125-150. 

 a'. A prseocular ; supraocular more than 



half length of frontal A. brachyorrlws, p. 289. 



b'. No praeocular ; supraocular not half 



length of frontal A. cupii, p. 289. 



b, Ouly upper postocular in contact with 



parietal; ventrals 106-111 A. yuentften, p. 290. 



B. Scales in 15 rows A. trachyprocta, p. 290. 



