DIPSAS. 



47 



one vertebral remain ; besides these, however, a black stripe runs 

 along the under side of the tail, at the point where the double scuta 

 meet. 



Body elongated, tail very slender and tapering ; abdomen angular ; 

 scuta very broad ; eye large and orbicular. 



Rows of scales, 13. 



Abdominal scuta, 186. 



Subcaudal scuta, 100. 



Length of muzzle to vent, 3 feet 1|- inches ) ^ /• f i i • i 

 „ of tail 1 foot |4teet 1^ mcnes.. 



Found in Labuan. 



Gen. Dryiophis. 

 Dryiopliis prasina. 

 Ular bunga, flower snake (Malay name). 



Green above ; pale greenish yellow below ; a narrow stripe of a 

 light yellow colour extends along each side of the body, passing 

 through the abdominal plates just below the angle, where they meet 

 the scales of the body. 



Form lengthened and very slender^, angular ; both jaws toothed ; 

 two teeth much longer than the rest occur on each side in the upper 

 jaw. 



The number of the abdominal scuta appears to be very variable, 

 as in three specimens which we have examined the following are 

 the results : — 



No. of Sub- 

 caudal Scuta. 



179 

 198 

 189 



This is a common species in Labuan, and is sometimes kept 

 alive as a pet both by Europeans and natives. It haunts the 

 thicker parts of the jungle where there is much low wood, 

 and is very active ; and from its long and graceful form and 

 the beauty of its pea-green colour relieved by the yellow stripe, 

 its movements are very elegant. It is fond of basking on the 

 fallen trunks of trees. 





Length to 



Length of 



No. of Abdo- 





Tail. 



Tail. 



minal Scuta. 



Largest specimen 



3 ft. 6 in. 



1 ft. 10 in. 



224 



Next ditto 



3ft.liin. 



1 ft. 8 in. 



228 



Smallest ditto 



3 ft. in. 



1 ft. 6i in. 



234 



Gen. Dipsas. 

 Dipsas dendrophila (Schl.). 



General colour — above ; rich brown black, with from eighty to 

 ninety transverse bands of rufous yellow on each side ; these are 

 narrow at the upper part, and either quite or nearly meet at the 



