SNAKES OF CEYLON. 41 



Breeding.— (a) The Sexes : Of seventy-two specimens in 

 Mr. Drummond-Hay's collection examined by me, thirty-two 

 proved to be males and forty females. The sexes, as a rule, 

 grow to about the same length, but the largest specimen 

 proved to be a female. The tail is somewhat longer in 

 males. 



(6) Method of Reproduction : The species is viviparous. I 

 have seen many gravid females near term, and there is a 

 specimen in the Colombo Museum preserved in the act of 

 parturition, about 55 mm. (2 J inches) of a youngster protruding 

 from the cloaca. 



(c) Season : There are unfortunately no dates available for 

 Mr. Drummond-Hay's specimens. The parturient dam above 

 alluded to was killed at Hatton in August, 1912. 



(d) The Brood: This is apparently the most prolific of the 

 species of this genus, the brood varying from three to six. 

 On one occasion I have found three, on three occasions five, 

 and once six. The smallest mothers are the least productive 

 as I so frequently find with snakes. 



Growth. — (a) The Young : The longest unborn young I 

 have measured were 88 and 94 mm. (3 \ and 3| inches). I 

 have seen post-natal specimens that measured 100 mm. 

 (4 inches). 



(b) Early Life : I have not been able to follow the growth 

 for lack of dates. 



(c) Maturity : The smallest of six gravid females was 225 

 mm. (9 inches). If as is probable this species grows like other 

 snakes, and doubles its length in the first year of life, the 

 species is propagating when about one year old. 



(d) Maximum Length : Most adults of both sexes are about 

 275 mm. (11 inches) long. The largest I have measured was 

 a female 368 mm. (14 J inches). 



Lepidosis. — Rostral : Not keeled above ; length equal to 

 that of the frontal, about two -fifths the shielded part of the 

 head. Frontal : Longer than broad, longer than the parietals. 

 Costals : Two heads -lengths behind the head 19, midbody 17, 

 two heads -lengths before the vent 17. Ventrals : 148 to 168 



11 6(6)20 



