1871.] F. Stoliczka — On Indian and Burmese Ophidians. AHl 



equal in size, but each is shorter than a fronto-nasal ; the prce-ocular 

 is iu contact with the 2nd and 3rd, and the ocular in contact with 

 the 3rd and 4th labials. The prse-frontal, frontal and supra-oculars 

 are subequal in size, the parietals a trifle larger, and the inter- 

 parietal a little smaller, followed by a slightly larger scale. The eye 

 is very indistinct, situated below the anterior part of the suture 

 between the supra-ocular and the ocular. The first upper labial is 

 very small, and in young specimens hardly traceable, the second 

 is distinct, the fourth considerably higher, but longer than the 

 third, and both reach well upwards at the side of the head. All 

 the shields of the head are finely punctate. 



Of eight specimens measured, of various sizes and ages, the cir- 

 cumference was between /^th and ^-th of the length of the body, 

 the majority of the specimens being -^gth ; the tail equals about 

 the head in length, it is slightly curved and terminates with 

 a short, blunt point. There are 18 longitudinal rows of smooth 

 shining scales round the body, in young as well as in full-grown 

 specimens; the diameter is 25 or 3 mm.; 406 (in young) to 

 416, 428, 440 (in adults) transverse rows of scales round the body 

 and 11-12 rows round the tail. 



The general colour is very like that of T. pammeces : above pale cho- 

 colate or leaden brown, below paler, the two colours passing insensi- 

 bly at the sides into each other ; head, above, and partially also the 

 neck, whitish, in front and below purely white ; in front of the anus 

 and the entire tail below white. In some dark coloured specimens 

 there occasionally occur traces of small white blothes at the side of 

 the body ; the median row of scales along the belly is also sometimes 

 a little paler than the rest of the underside. All scales have their 

 bases darker coloured than the remainder, but on the upper neck 

 the reverse appears to be the case, the base of each scale appear- 

 ing in reflected light whitish, while the terminal half is darker brown. 

 The sutures between the head shields above are dotted with white. 



The usual length is between 6 and 7 inches. The longest 

 specimen measured is 11 inch., the circumference being only 

 gVncl of the length of the body. In this adult specimen which 

 is from Hurdwar, the head becomes remarkably small and is 

 almost thinner -than the neck; but it has 18 longitudinal, and 440 



