344 COLUBMD^. 



Hub. Himalayas from Kashmir to Assam (up to 10,000 feet) and 

 Khasi Hills. 



This very variable species connects Tropidonotus with Zamenis. 

 The keels on the scales are sometimes, especially in females, wanting 

 throughout the greater part of the body. 



425. Tropidonotus khasiensis. 



Eye moderate ; its diameter not more than its distance from the 

 nostril ; rostral just visible from above ; suture between the inter- 

 nasals as long as that between the prsefrontals ; frontal slightly 

 longer than its distance from the end of the snout, shorter than 

 the parietals ; loreal as long as deep or a little longer than deep ; 

 one or two praeoculars ; three postoculars ; temporals 1 -f 1 ; upper 

 labials 9 normally, fourth, fifth, and sixth entering the eye ; 5 

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

 shorter than the posterior. Scales in 19 rows, rather strongly 

 keeled, the outer row smooth. 150-154 ventrals ; anal divided ; 

 subcaudals 80-100. Pale brown above, some of the scales edged 

 with darker ; head with more or less distinct yellowish dots or ver- 

 miculations ; labials yellow in the middle and dark brown on the 

 borders ; an oblique yellow streak edged with dark brown on each 

 side of the nape, forming the continuation of the series of yellow 

 labial spots ; ventrals and subcaudals yellowish, with an interrupted 

 brown streak or series of spots along each side. 



Total length 23 inches ; tail 7-5. 



Hob. Khasi Hills. 



426. Tropidonotus beddomii. 



Spilotes vittatus, Beddome, Madras Journ. Med. Sc. 1863. 



Tropidonotus beddomii, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 269, pi. xxii, fig. E ; 



Theob. Cat. p. 176. 



Eye moderate, its diameter in the adult equalling its distance 

 from the nostril ; rostral just visible from above ; suture between 

 the internasals as long as that between the praefrontals ; frontal 

 longer than its distance from the end of the snout, a little shorter 

 than the parietals ; loreal as long as deep or deeper than long ; one 

 prseocular ; three (rarely two) postoculars ; temporals 1 + 1 or 1 +2 ; 

 upper labials 8 or 9, third, fourth, and fifth, or fourth, fifth, and 

 sixth, entering the eye; 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior 

 chin-shields, which are shorter than the posterior. Scales in 19 

 rows, rather strongly keeled, the outer, however, perfectly smooth. 

 Ventrals 131-150 ; anal divided ; subcaudals 65-75. Brown above ; 

 a series of yellow spots, each between two black spots or short 

 transverse bands, along each side of the back ; upper labials yel- 

 lowish with black sutures ; a yellow, black-edged, oblique streak 

 from the eye to the gape ; a yellow band across the nape, behind 

 the parietals, becoming indistinct with age ; belly white, closely 

 dotted with brown on the sides. 

 Total length 20 inches ; tail 5. 

 Hob. Wynaad, Nilgiris, Anaimalais (4700 feet). 



