432 F. Stoliczka — On Indian mid Burmese Ophidians. [No. 4, 



structure with other more terrestrial species of Tropidonoti, it 

 could from a separate genus. 



In addition to the numerous varieties recorded by Giinther, 

 (1. cit.), Theobald (Linn. Soc. Journ. Zool.,vol. x), Blanford and 

 myself (J. A. S. B., vol. xxxix, pp. 190 and 371), I have to notice a 

 peculiar form found by Dr. Day at Kurki in the N. W. Provinces. 



This specimen (see pi. xxvi, figs. 1 and la) has the usual narrowly 

 triangular shape of the anterior frontals, but the posterior frontals 

 are united into one large shield ; 1 9 rows of scales, the median 

 keeled, the laterals almost smooth; 143 ventrals ; 94 sub-caudals. 

 The colour is olive above, on the anterior half of the body the skin 

 between the scales is reticulated with black : 6 alternating, some- 

 what irregular, longitudinal series of small dull whitish spots, be- 

 coming less distinct towards the tail ; below, uniform whitish with 

 some traces of black at the outer lateral edges of the ventrals ; the 

 two oblique black streaks below the eye are scarcely indicated. 



This mode of coloration is very commonly met with in young 

 specimens of this species, particularly in those occurring along the 

 base of the Himalayas and in the Assam and Khasi hills, but in old 

 specimens the olive becomes darker, gradually turning to brown or 

 almost black, the whitish spots become bright yellow, and are often 

 dissolved into reticulations, and the skin between the scales, espe- 

 cially at the sides, is bright vermilion, the latter colour appearing 

 to be rather seasonal than sexual. 



Tropidonotus bellttlus, n. sp. PI. xxvi fig. 2. 



Habit slender, body a little compressed ; head not very distinct 

 from neck ; eye rather large ; anterior frontals moderately truncate 

 in front, smaller, but slightly longer than the posterior ; occipital 

 5-sided, sides concave, longer than the front edge, posterior mar- 

 gins shortest forming a right angle, its length somewhat more 

 than the two frontals together, and about equal * to the superci- 

 liaries which are somewhat broader posteriorly than anteriorly ; 

 occipitals very large, obtusely angular behind ; two large nasals ; 

 one square loreal ; one narrow prse-ocular, reaching to the top of head, 

 but not meeting the vertical ; three post-oculars ; 9 upper labials, 

 4th, 5th and 6th entering the orbit ; temporals 1 + 2, there being 



