12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXI. 



the same. In many specimens in life so much mud or earth 

 adheres to the skin, that the pattern is often much, if not comple- 

 tely, obscured. In spirit specimens, consequently, the marking is 

 much better seen. 



ERYX JOHNI (Russell). 

 John's Earth Snake. 



History. — This was first described and figured by Russell* in 

 1801, from an adult specimen sent to him by the Revd. John of 

 Tranquebar, The same author figured a young examplef (from 

 a painting given to him by Captain Hardwick taken from a speci- 

 men collected in Bengal. ?) 



Nomenclature. — (ct) Scientific. The specific name was given by 

 Russell in honour of the Missionary who presented him with the 

 original of Plate XVI of his work. 



(h) JEnglish. — I think John's , Earth Snake, or John's boa, 

 the most appropriate name to apply to it. 



(c) Vernacular. — Russell tells us on John's authority that it 

 is called " erutaley nagam " about Tranquebar. This name, and 

 " eruthally pamboo," both of which are Tamil, meaning " two- 

 headed snake," are in common use in Southern India. It is also 

 called " manooli " or " earth dweller " in the same part of India. 

 On the Malabar Coast, and also in other parts of S. India it is some- 

 times called " mandalli," and in Mysore the Canarese name for it is 

 " itallay havoo " which also means " two-headed." In Lower 

 Bengal the Hindi name for it is " do muha" or " two mouthed," 

 and the same application is in use in the Punjab generally. A 

 well educated native told me that about Peshawar it is known as 

 " landai," the Pushtu word for " short," but I am very dubious 

 about this, believing that this name is correctly applied to either of 

 the two little blind snakes, TyfhloiJS hraminus, or Olauconia 

 hlanfordi, both of which are very diminiTtive, and sometimes also 

 called two headed snakes. 



General Characters. — The snake is of remarkably even calibre in 

 its whole length, showing little if any constriction at the neck. 



* Ind. Serp., Vol. II, Plate XVI. f Loc. Cit., Plate XVII. 



