78 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



Series AGLYPHA. 

 Sub-family 1 .— Acrochordi i nae . 



(Named from the type genus Acrochordus.) 



General Characters (for Ceylon Species). — Head moderate 

 in size. Snout short, without canthus. Eye small, with verti- 

 cally elliptic pupil. Nostrils superior, lying close together on 

 the front of the snout. Neck not constricted. Body heavy, 

 compressed ; very harsh to the touch on account of its 

 rasp-like keels. Belly with a median ridge. Tail short, 

 compressed, and prehensile. 



Identification. — Known by its very numerous scales (about 

 150 at midbody) which are broader than long, and juxtaposed ; 

 and the superior, annular, closely-approximated nostrils. 



Habits. — Aquatic. Active. 



Food.— Fish. 



Breeding. — Viviparous . 



Poison. — Non-poisonous. 



Lepidosis. — As detailed under the species (q. v.) 



Dentition. — As detailed under the genus (q. v.) 



Distribution. — Coasts from north of Bombay to New Guinea. 



The Sub -family contains five genera, two of which are 

 represented in India, and one only in Ceylon. 



Genus CHERSYDRUS. 



(Greek "chersos" dry land, and "hudor" water ; apparently 

 christened under the belief that it is amphibious in habit.) 



General Characters. — Body heavy, compressed, attenuating 

 anteriorly and posteriorly. Skin loose, harsh, and rasp-like. 

 A raised ridge along the belly. Head moderate, depressed. 

 Tail compressed. Eye small, inclined somewhat upwards ; 

 pupil vertically elliptic. Nostrils large, round, closely 

 approximated on the top of the snout, resembling the mouths 

 of a double-barrelled gun. 



Identification. — The costal scales small, juxtaposed, broader 

 than long, and exceeding one hundred at midbody will 

 sufficiently indicate the genus. 



Habits. — Entirely marine. 



