22 5 



body, sometimes with a black median stripe anteriorly and 

 transverse rhombs posteriorly or entirely black above; tail 

 with or without dorsal and lateral spots. Lower surface and 

 sides yellow with a lateral series of black spots or a black 



Fig. 88. Hydrus platurus (L.) X '/ 



stripe, or belly brown with a yellow lateral stripe. Length of 

 head and body 620 mm.; tail 80 mm. 



Habitat: Sumatra; Banka!; Borneo! (Oya in Sarawak); 

 Java coast (Batavia, Semaiang!); Strait of Madura; Sailus Ketjil!; 

 S. Floras!; S. W. Sumba!; Celebes (Manado!, Macassar!); 

 Ambon!; Ternate; New Guinea (Jobi, Mafoor, Mios nom; Man- 

 sinam, Tami); Schouten Islands (Mysore). Solomon Islands; 

 Australia; New Zealand; Samoa; Formosa; China; Siam; Nico- 

 bars; Singapore; Malay Peninsula; Ceylon; India; Madagascar; 

 Panama; Mexico; Ecuador. 



The most widely spread sea-snake. 



56. Hydrophis Daudin. 

 (DAUDIN, Hist. Kept. VII p. 372, 1803). 



Nostrils superior; eye small; pupil round; head-shields large; 

 nasal single or divided, in contact with its fellow; praeocular 

 present; loreal usually absent. Maxillary teeth two large fangs 

 followed by 4 18 small teeth. Body long, often very slender 

 anteriorly, covered with imbricate or juxtaposed scales; ventrals 

 small. Tail strongly compressed. 



Distribution. Indian and Pacific Oceans. 



INDO- AUSTRALIAN REPTILES II. 1 5 



