44 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



Food. — The stomachs of several investigated by me contained 

 earthworms, and the intestine and cloaca were distended with 

 semi -liquid mud from the worms ingested. 



Breeding.- — (a) The Sexes : Of thirteen specimens examined, 

 four proved to be males and nine females. The sexes appear 

 to grow to much the same length, but the largest was a female. 

 In males the tail is rather longer. 



(b) Method of Reproduction : It is viviparous in habit. 



(c) Season : Not known, no dates being available. 



(d) The Brood: From two to five young are produced at a time. 

 Growth. — (a) The Young : The exact length at birth could 



not be ascertained from the specimens available. 



(b) Early Life : Not known, no dates being on record. 



(c) Maturity : The smallest of four gravid females was 

 280 mm. (11 J inches). 



(d) Maximum Length : The longest male was 298 mm. 

 (llf inches), and the longest female 330 mm. (13 inches). 



Lepidosis. — Rostral : But slightly compressed ; not keeled 

 above ; length equals frontal, about two -fifths the shielded 

 part of the head. Nasals : Completely separated by the 

 rostral ; touching the 1st and 2nd supralabials. Prefrontals : 

 Touching the 2nd and 3rd supralabials. Frontal : As broad 

 as long, length equals parietals. Supralabials : Four. 



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

 two heads -lengths before* vent 17. All rows subequal except 

 the ultimate, where the scales are broadest. Ventrals : 173 to 

 191 (<? 173 to 180, $ 181 to 191) ; about four -thirds the breadth 

 of the ultimate row. Anal : Divided ; fully twice the breadth 

 of the ventrals. Subcaudals : 4 to 7 (<$ 5 to 7, $ 4 to 6) ; usually 

 divided, some frequently entire. Caudal shield : Much shorter 

 than the shielded part of the head. 



Dentition. — From two skulls in my collection. Maxillary : 7 . 

 Palatine : Edentulous. Pterygoid : Edentulous. Mandibular : 8. 



Distribution. — (a) General : Peculiar to Ceylon. 



(b) Local : Mr. Drummond-Hay tells me it is fairly common 

 on Lennock estate in the centre of the Uva Patnas at about 

 4,000 to 4,200 feet. One specimen from Mr. Ormiston was 

 killed on Kalupahani estate, Haldummulle District, about 

 3,000 feet. 



