Capt. R. H. Beddome on new Uropeltida. 179 



scarcely any difference in the shields of the head, though the head 

 of Silybura brevis is broader. 



5. Silybura Beddomii, Giinther. 



I have lately procured numerous specimens of this Snake on the 

 Shevaroys, elevation 4500 feet. I have also found it in the Mudu- 

 mallay Forest, elevation 3000 feet. The spots on the scales are 

 yellow, turning white in spirits. 



Note. — Silyburce brevis, nilgherriensis, Shortii, and macrolepis (a 

 Ceylouese species) have a well-defined head, with broad snout and a 

 large eye. Silyburce Ellioti, Beddomii, and ocellata have a pointed 

 snout and a small eye (as in the genus Rhinophis). 



6. Rhinophis sanguineus. 



Scales of the body large, in 15 rows; of the anterior portion of 

 the trunk sometimes in 1 7 ; rostral much produced, very sharp, 

 conical, horny, produced back, and covering the conjunction of the 

 nasals ; nostril in front of nasal shield ; eye very small and obscure, 

 in front of ocular shield ; four upper labials, 1 st small, 2nd, 3rd, and 

 4 th large ; caudal disk nearly as long as tail, oblong, covered with 

 excrescences, a red streak down the centre and one on each side. 

 Colour of the body bluish black ; belly bright red, with blackish 

 mottlings ; anal bifid ; subcaudals of the male 9 or 1 pairs, each 

 with 4 to 6 keels, and some of the approximated ventral plates and 

 a few of the two lowest rows of scales also keeled ; female subcau- 

 dals 6 or 7. Total length of large male 13 inches, female 10 inches ; 

 circumference 1 inch; abdominals 195. 



The brilUant red colour of the abdomen fades in spirits. 



I procured numerous specimens of this species at Cherambody in 

 the Wynand (Malabar), elevation 3500 feet ; they were all dug up in 

 one spot. I have not met with it elsewhere. 



7. Rhinophis microlepis. 



Scales of the body small, in 15 rows ; of the anterior portion of the 

 trunk in 17, of the neck in 19. Caudal disk oblong, orbicular, one- 

 half the length of the tail, covered with excrescences, which are con- 

 fluent into streaks ; subcaudals 10 ; anal bifid ; head-plates as in R. 

 sanguineus, but rostral less sharp. Colour of the body greyish black, 

 with indistinct dull yellowish white mottlings ; belly yellowish white, 

 with dark mottlings ; tail beneath yellowish, with a broad black 

 spot. Abdominals very small, 199. Total length 6 inches; cir- 

 cumference 6 1 lines. 



I procured this (a solitary specimen) in the "Wynand, elevation 

 3500 feet. 



Genus Plectrurus. 



* Eye rather large, with a supraorbital shield. 



8. Plectrurus Perrotteti, Gray, P. Z. S. 1858, p. 265. 

 This is most abundant on the tops of the Nilgherries, 7000 to 



8000 feet ; it is dug up in gardens, and found under the turf and 



12* 



