SNAKES OE CEYLON. 115 



specimen in the Madras Museum* laid fourteen eggs as 

 follows : — August : one on the 19th, one on the 20th, two on 

 the 22nd ; September : three on the 12th, three on the 14th, 

 one on the 15th, and three on the 18th, occupying a full 

 month in the accomplishment of this function. 



Snakes are credited with the power to retain their ova, or 

 foetuses, when circumstances are unfavourable for their 

 deposition, but, of course, they cannot do so indefinitely. 

 An unsuitable environment such as is likely to occur under 

 captivity may explain the spasmodic discharge of the eggs in 

 the above instances, but even in the vivarium the dam usually 

 deposits her full complement within a few hours. 



(d) Period of Gestation : This is not exactly known, but it is 

 probable that it will prove to be of the same duration as in the 

 chequered keelback piscator, viz., about two months. A 

 specimen of mine in Cannanore captured on June 21 laid five 

 eggs on July 29. As the specimen was obviously gravid when 

 caught, gestation must considerably exceed five weeks. A 

 specimen in captivity in the Madras Museum, whose date of 

 capture was unfortunately not recorded, laid the first of 

 fourteen eggs on August 17. As it was noted that the speci- 

 men sloughed on June 28, at least seven weeks elapsed before 

 the discharge of this egg. The dam at full term retires to any 

 convenient refuge in the ground, and there deposits her eggs 

 some few inches below the surface. Unlike some other snakes 

 she does not appear to be attended by her consort at or sub- 

 sequent to this eventful period. I have only once known a 

 male in company with a female after impregnation. This 

 was in Fyzabad in July. The two snakes were described as 

 confronting one another with, reared bodies, and they 

 remained actively engaged in this manner for some minutes. 

 Both were killed, and I sexed them and found the female in an 

 advanced state of impregnation. It is impossible to know 

 whether this was a chance encounter, which seems probable, 

 or whether their behaviour was of an amorous or hostile 

 character. 



The parent having laid her eggs remains with them for some 

 time, perhaps even till they hatch. During hoeing operations 



* Administration Report, Madras Museum, 1896 to 1897. 



