Notes on an Indian Water-snale. 385 



Explanation of Plate XVII. 



Fig. 1. Rudimentary antenna of Lobster A., 29, v. 83 (natural size). 



Fig. 2. Rudimentary antenna of Lobster C, 11, v. 83, showing spiral coil 

 (natural size). 



Fig. 3. Chelate rudiment of Lobster C, 5, x. 83 (half natural size). 



Fig. 4. Anterior portion of Lobster C, 17, xii. 83, showing relative size of 

 chelate rudiment prior to ecdysis (natural size). 



Fig. 5. Anterior portion of Lobster 0., 25, xii. 83, showing relative size of 

 chelate limb after ecdysis (natural size). 



XXX. Notes on an Indian Water-snake (Euhyclrina Vala- 

 kadyen). By J. E. H. Kelso, Esq., M.B., CM. 



(Read 16th February 1887.) 



On May 14th, 1884, I was returning from a cruise on the 

 river Hooghly in a steam launch, and had brought up at 

 Howrah, a town on the bank of the river opposite to Calcutta. 

 Being low tide, our party was rowed ashore in a dingy, when 

 I observed a crowd of natives on the bank, standing at a 

 respectful distance from an object which they were scruti- 

 nising intently. This proved to be a water-snake {Enhydrina 

 Valahadyen), several feet long, writhing about apparently in 

 great agony. After looking at it in great astonishment for 

 some time, I thought it better to put an end to its struggles, 

 and so killed it w^ith a walking stick. Examining my speci- 

 men, I found two long spines protruding through its skin. 



A native now came up from the contemplative crowd 

 already mentioned, and informed me that the spines belonged 

 to a cat-fish. On palpation I made out the contour of a fish 

 in the reptile's interior. I carried the snake home, and 

 preserved it in spirits. The specimen was kept entire for 

 two years, but a short time ago I determined to slit up the 

 snake's abdomen to show the fish it contained. The fish is 

 one of the Siluridae, about 7 inches in length. The two 

 spines are each f of an inch in length ; one of them may be 

 seen protruding through the dorsal surface of the reptile at 

 an acute angle, while the other is lying flat, and closely 

 pressed against the snake's abdomen. 



