From the Upper Yangtsze-Kiang. 221 
gin. But it differs by having a longer tail and by its less 
ornamented coloration. 
Scales in seventeen rows. One preocular, two postoculars. 
The occipital does not touch the lower postocular; temporals 
1+ 2, the anterior in contact with both postoculars. Ventrals 
182 ; of the tail nearly one half has been lost, the mutilated 
part being protected by fifty-three pairs of subcaudals, so that 
the whole number may be estimated to have been between 
eighty and ninety. Upper parts nearly uniform brownish 
grey, the posterior part of the trunk indistinctly showing a 
series of whitish spots along each side of the back. No black 
dots along the vertebral line. The black cross bands between 
the eyes and on the neck are present as in Ablabes Humberti 
and Ablabes collaris, but much less distinct. Abdomen white, 
each ventral shield with a black dot on each side. 
One specimen was found by Mr. Pratt at Ichang; its 
trunk measures 15 inches and its tail was probably 54 inches 
in length. 
Tropidonotus Swinhonis, Gthr. 
A variety of this species occurs at Ichang which differs 
from the type in having the scales more obscurely keeled, in 
possessing only the rudiments of a collar on the side of the 
neck, and in having the lower parts uniformly black or largely 
marbled with black. 
Trimeresurus xanthomelas. 
The second upper labial shield forms the front part of the 
facial pit; upper part of the snout with three small shields 
in front. Supraciliary scute large, not divided. Scales in 
twenty-one rows, keeled. Ventrals 185, 189; subcaudals 
59, 68; anal and preanal not divided. Black, each scale 
with an elongate greenish-yellow spot, the spot frequently 
including small black specks. By the modification of the 
extent of the black colour on the scales a chain of subrhombic 
spots is formed along the vertebral line; the yellow of the 
scales within each rhombic spot is of a more reddish shade. 
Upper part of the head black, with a pattern of narrow sym- 
metrical lines; a deep black band from the eye to the angle 
of the mouth; labial shields yellow, with a series of black 
spots on the sutures. A rather indistinct row of black spots 
along the sides of the body. Lower parts yellow, marbled 
with black, the black colour predominating in the posterior 
half of the length. 
Five specimens of this beautiful snake were obtained at 
