SNAKES OF CEYLON. 71 



Lepidosis. — Rostral : With two depressions, broader than 

 high, in contact with six shields. Internasals : Two. Pre- 

 frontals : Two ; separated from the frontal by a row of 

 scales. Frontals : Two. Supraoculars : As long as the 

 frontal. Parietals : Replaced by scales. Nasals : Large, 

 divided. Loreals : Many. Prseoculars : Two or three. 

 Postoculars : Three. Suboculars : Many. Supralabials : 

 Eleven to thirteen ; the anterior two with depressions ; the 

 1st and 2nd touching the nasals, one sometimes touching the 

 eye, but in some a complete row of suboculars separates all 

 supralabials from the eye. Infralabials : Fifteen to twenty, 

 some of the anterior and posterior with depressions. Sublin- 

 guals : Absent. (Fig. 16.) 



Nostril 



(55 



Fig. 16. — Python molurus. 



R. The rostral showing pits; 1, 2, the 1st and 2nd supralabials 

 showing pits. 



Gostals : In midbody. Longer than broad, rectiform, 

 smooth. Vertebrals not enlarged, the breadth of the scales 

 about three-fourths their length, one-third or less than a third 

 the ultimate row. Ultimate and three rows above enlarged, 

 broader than long, progressively increasing in breadth ; the 

 breadth of the scales in the ultimate row nearly twice their 

 length, about half the breadth of the ventrals. In 60 to 75 

 rows. Ventrals : Enlarged, narrow, without keels, 242 to 265 



