574 JAVAN ACROCHORDUS. 



cated, depressed, and scaly : the jaws equal, the 



superior being emarginated beneath ; the inferior 



curved : the eyes lateral, on the fore part of the 



head ; the irides livid : the nostrils circular, small, 



approximated, and situated above the tip of the 



snout : the rictus or gape rather small for the size 



of the body : the teeth in both jaws subulate, very 



sharp, and reversed, without any appearance of 



fangs, and accompanied by a double row of very 



small teeth in the palate : the tongue thick at the 



base, the forked part black and slender : the body 



entirely covered, as well as the tail, with rough 



tricarinated warts : the vent small, the body very 



suddenly tapering towards the tail. This snake 



was secured by a Chinese, by means of a split 



bamboo applied over its neck, and thus carried to 



Batavia, where, on being skinned and opened, 



exclusive of a quantity of indigested fruit, were 



found five completely formed young, measuring 



nine inches each : the flesh of the animal was eaten 



by the Chinese people, who affirmed that it was 



excellent food, and the skin, being preserved \n 



spirits, was brought over to Europe by Mr. Horn- 



sted, and deposited in the Museum of the King 



of Sweden. 



