LYCODON. 295 



No loreal, the prsefrontals in contact with the labials ; one prae- 

 and two postoculars ; upper labials 9, the fourth and fifth (and 

 perhaps the third) entering the eye. Ventrals 257 ; subcaudals 

 91. Deep purple, marbled with white and black ; beneath pearl- 

 coloured. 



Hob. Mergui. 



This species is only known from Cantor's very short diagnosis, 

 and Giinther's notes taken from a drawing of the type specimen. 



353. Lycodon septentrionalis. 

 Ophites septentrionalis, Gunth. P. Z. S. 1875, p. 233. 



Snout moderately depressed, not spatulate ; eye rather small. 

 Eostral much broader than deep, visible from above ; internasals 

 much shorter than the praefrontals ; frontal slightly longer than 

 broad, as long as its distance from the end of the snout, shorter 

 than the parietals ; loreal small, elongate, not entering the eye ; 

 one pra3- and two postoculars; temporals 2+3 ; Supper labials, 

 third, fourth, and fifth entering the eye ; 5 lower labials in 

 contact with the anterior chin-shields, which are longer than the 

 posterior. Scales in 17 rows, those of seven middle rows feebly 

 keeled. Ventrals 214, angulate laterally ; anal entire ; subcaudals 

 83, in two rows. Black above and on the sides, with narrow 

 whitish transverse bands, forming complete annuli on the tail, the 

 lower surface of which is dark brown ; belly whitish, with a few 

 scattered small brown spots posteriorly. 



Total length 3 feet * ; tail 8 inches. 



Hob. The exact habitat of this species is not known, but is pro- 

 bably the Himalayas or the Khasi Hills. The single specimen 

 known was obtained by Dr. Jerdon during his last journey through 

 the northern parts of India. 



354. Lycodon fasciatns. 



Ophites fasciatus, Anders. An, Zool. Res. Yunnan, p. 827, pi. Ixxviii, 

 fig. 1. 



Head flat, snout rather spatulate ; eye small. Frontal nearly as 

 broad as long ; loreal long and tapering to a point posteriorly, and 

 entering the eye ; one praocular ; two postoculars ; temporals 

 2+3; 8 upper labials, third, fourth, and fifth entering the eye: 5 

 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin- shields, which are 

 much shorter than the posterior; 17 rows of feebly keeled scales, 

 the keels becoming more pronounced posteriorly. Ventrals 213 ; 

 anal entire ; subcaudals 90, in two rows. Body encircled by 

 broad purplish-black bands separated by reddish intervals about 

 half their breadth ; the first black band does not encircle the 

 neck ; upper labials yellowish with dusky sutures. 



* " 83 indies long " in Dr. Gunther's description is eyidently a misprint for 

 " 33 inches long." 



