THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 475 



the ventrals. Ventrals — 242 to 269, narrow, occupying about the 

 middle third of the belly. Ancd — Entire, as broad as the ventrals; 

 Suhcaudals 60 to 72 in pairs. Russell had a specimen which he 

 figures (PL xxxix, Vol. i.) in which 36 pairs Avere succeeded by 28 

 entire shields, and these by 3 more pairs. 



Dentition. — PrcemaxiUary 4 small teeth, a pair on each side widely 

 separated in the median line. Maxillary 18 to 19. The 2nd to 

 6th or 8th longest, subequal, the rest gradually decreasing in 

 length. All more or less obliquely set with points directed 

 inwards, the posterior almost transverse. Palatine 6, first 4 

 subequal, and as long as maxillary, last 2 progressively decreasing. 

 All strongly inclined inwards. Pterygoid 8 to 10, about as large as 

 the posterior maxillary, strongly inclined inwards. Mandibular 16 

 to 19, the 2nd to 6th or 8th longest and subequal, the subsequent 

 teeth progressively diminishing. Strongly inclined inwards, the 

 posterior being almost transverse. 



Our Plate is in every wa}^ excellent, Mr. Green having in this 

 surpassed all his previous good work. 



(To he continued.') 



