529 



LINEATED SNAKE. 



Coluber Lineatus. C. cceruko-'tirescem, lineis tribus lei quinqtie 



fuscis, intermedia latiore. 

 Blucish-grecn Snake, with three or five brown linear stripes, of 



which the middle one is broadest. 

 Coluber lineatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 382. Mm. Ad. Frid. p. 



30. t. 12. f. 1. andt.20.fll. 



Serpens Ccilonica lineis subfuscis. Seb. 2. t. l*2.f. 3. 

 Abdominal scuta 169, subcaudal scales 84-. 



THIS is a highly elegant species, but differs 

 considerably in appearance, according to the dif- 

 ferent periods of its growth : its general colour is 

 a pale and somewhat gilded blueish green above, 

 marked throughout the whole length by five lon- 

 gitudinal narrow bands or stripes, of which the 

 middle one is considerably broader than the others, 

 and of a deep dusky green, with black edges and 

 specks : on each side, at some distance, is a rather 

 narrower stripe of similar colour, and beneath this 

 on each side is a black line. In the small or 

 younger specimens there are rarely more than 

 three stripes ; the appearance of the lower or nar- 

 row linear side-stripe being scarce apparent : the 

 habit of the animal is long and slender or flagelli- 

 form, with a small head, a long, thin tail, and a 

 flattish abdomen : the stripes on the head are con- 

 tinued to the tip of the snout, which is obtuse. It 

 is a native of several parts of India, and is com- 

 monly about two or three feet in length. It is a 

 perfectly innoxious species. 



