27 



small shields, like the other scales of the crown; sometimes a 

 frontal and two or three supraoculars distinguishable; loreal 

 region covered with small scales (fig. 14); eleven to thirteen upper 

 labials, two or three anterior deeply pitted, sixth and seventh 

 or seventh and eighth entering the eye; six or seven lower 

 labials pitted. Scales in 45 53 rows; ventrals 251 304; anal 

 entire or divided; subcaudals 63 92. 



Black, olive-brown or pale brown above, variegated with 

 yellow and black. Length of head and body 1750 mm.; tail 

 250 mm. 



Habitat: New Guinea (Yule Island, St. Joseph river). - 

 Australia. 



This tree-Python is very variable in coloration. Three forms 

 may be distinguished : 



1. Black above, each scale with a yellow dot, and sometimes 

 with scattered yellow, black-edged spots; upper labials black- 

 edged. Lower surface yellow, posterior ventrals and subcaudals 

 spotted or edged with black. 



2. Olive-brown above, each scale edged with black, with 

 yellow, black-edged spots and transverse bars, or with three 

 yellow stripes, the middle one partly interrupted; upper labials 

 black-edged. Lower surface yellow, posterior ventrals and sub- 

 caudals spotted or edged with black. 



3. Pale brown with dark brown, black-edged spots or trans- 

 verse bands, or dark brown with lighter markings; upper labials 

 yellow or anterior labials black-edged ; sometimes a light, dark- 

 edged streak on each side of the body anteriorly. Lower 

 surface yellow, spotted with black. 



var. macrospila Werner. 



Python spilotes var. macrospila^ Werner, Zool. Jahrb. Syst. XXVIII 1909, p. 274. 



Differs on the following points: 



Rostral followed by 3 pair of shields; five or six lower 

 labials pitted. Scales in 41 rows. Three series of dark spots, 

 alternating. 



Length of head and body 1500 mm.; tail 250 mm. (After 

 WERNER; not seen by me). 



Habitat: ?. A single male specimen in the Brussels 

 Museum. 



