482 



CROSSED SNAKE. 



Coluber Crucifer. C. albus seric dorsal triplici macularum nigra- 



rum, intfrmcdiis crudatis. 

 White Snake, with a triple dorsal series of black spots, those 



of the middle range cross-shaped. 

 Serpens Ceilonica crucifera. Seb. 2. t. 12. f. 2. 

 Perlfarbne Natter. Merrem Beytr. 2. t. 9. 

 Abdominal scuta 184, subcaudal scales 66. 



A SMALLISH species, of about a foot and a half 

 in length : head rather small, and covered with 

 large scales : neck slender : body of moderate 

 thickness: tail tapering gradually to the extre- 

 mity, which is slightly pointed : colour of the 

 whole animal white, with a pearly tinge, and 

 marked along the back by a series of small black 

 spots in the form of a St. Andrew's Cross : along 

 each side is also a row of black spots, but less 

 distinctly cross-shaped than those of the middle 

 range : abdomen white, each fourth or fifth scu- 

 tum being marked at its edge or juncture with 

 the sides by a black spot : head marked by black 

 sutures. This species is, according to Seba, a 

 native of Ceylon. 



