25 



supraocular large; two or three pair of parietals; loreal region 

 covered with smaller shields (fig. 12); two or three prae- and 

 four of five postoculars; twelve to fourteen upper labials, four 

 anterior deeply pitted, sixth and seventh or seventh and 

 eighth entering the eye; six or seven posterior lower labials 

 pitted. Scales in 39 53 rows; ventrals 289 349; anal entire; 

 subcaudals 85120. 



Yellowish- or reddish-brown above, uniform or with dark 



Fig. 12. Python amethystinus (Schn.) X 2 - 



markings. Lower surface yellowish. Length of head and body 

 2710 mm.; tail 400 mm.; attains a length of 37 2 M. 



Habitat: Timor; Banda; Saparua!; Ambon!; Ceram!; 

 Haruku!; Halmahera; Batjan!; Salawatti; Misol; New Guinea 

 (Jobi, Yule and Nicura Islands, Sorong, Fak Fak, Jakati, 

 Mansinam, Humboldt Bay!, Jamur river, Tobadi, Setekwa river, 

 Lorentz river!, Erima, Astrolabe Bay, Stephansort, Eitape, 

 Garup, Simpsonhafen, Fly river, St. Joseph river, Moroka in 

 Bartholomew Range 2300 feet, Bara Bara); Kei Islands; Aru 

 Islands; Timor Laut. - - Trobriand Island; Bismarck Archi- 

 pelago; Islands of Torres Straits; N. Queensland. 



Note. BOULENGER distinguishes three groups of colour 

 varieties : 



1. Uniform brown, or with indistinct dark and light markings; 



2. Pale brown with dark cross-shaped markings and two stripes 

 on each side; 



3. Dark reddish-brown, with whitish spots or irregular trans- 

 verse bars. 



4. Python timoriensis (Ptrs.). 



Lias is amethystinus var. timoriensis^ Peters, MOD. Berl, Ac. 1876, p. 533, 

 pi. without number, fig. 3. 



