1881.] AND FROGS FROM SINGAPORE. 223 



caudals are considerably less numerous, and the tail is much shorter. 

 The coloration, too, is different. 



The following is a description of the specimen from Singapore : — 

 Three pairs of frontals ; vertical divided ; enlarged irregularly 

 shaped plates covering the occipital region. Nostril on the upper 

 surface of the head, between two plates, the hinder of which is very 

 small ; a row of small scales extends from the nostril to the eye. 

 Rostral and the two anterior upper labials on each side with deep 

 elongate pits ; ten upper labials ; the fifth and sixth enter the orbit. 

 Three or four of the anterior lower labials pitted ; a longitudinal 

 groove along most of the posterior lower labial shields. 



Scales in 55 rows round the middle of the body, the series on 

 each side of the ventrals being nearly half as broad as the latter. Ven- 

 trals 175 ; anal entire ; subcaudals 32 pairs. 



Colour (in spirit). The upper part of the head is uniformly earthy- 

 grey, almost ash-grey, with a narrow pale median streak running back 

 for some distance from the occiput ; upper labials the same ; a dark 

 brown mark in front of the eye, continued behind the eye and ex- 

 panding into a broad brown band, dark at the edges, and especially 

 along the upper margin ; this band runs down the side of the neck, 

 and is succeeded by a row of large brown dark-edged spots along 

 the anterior portion of the body. Back fawn-colour, with a row of 

 rather irregular pale spots along the middle ; below the fawn- 

 coloured band and above the dark spots is a light belt with small 

 dark brown spots on many of the scales. The coloration of the 

 dorsal parts continues to the tail, which is dark brown above, light 

 brown below, pale on the sides. Lower parts, except of the tail, 

 white. 



In the number of scales round the body, and of the ventrals and 

 subcaudals, this form closely resembles the West- African P. regiiis ; 

 but that species, like the other African Pythons, has the nostrils 

 laterally placed and the four anterior upper labials pitted, besides 

 other differences. 



The single specimen received, which is in magnificent condition, 

 measures 55 inches in length, of which the tail is only 4 ; the 

 girth round the middle of the body is 8"5 inches. A specimen of 

 P. reticidatus, 6" inclies long, has the tail S'b inches in length, and 

 a girth of only 5'5 inches. 



Dr. Dennys writes to me that he has seen but two specimens of 

 this Python, one of which escaped from its cage and was lost. 



Naja tripudians. 



Both the specimens in the collection are black throughout, vnth- 

 out any marks on the back of the hood, but with some pale spots on 

 the side of the neck and beneath it. 



Hydrophis stokesi. 



Giinther (Kept. Brit. Ind. p. 363) speaks of the occurrence of 

 this species in the Chinese seas and the East Indian archipelago as 

 doubtful. I think, however, that two specimens sent must be re- 



