SNAKES OF CEYLON. 133 



shields ; the fronto -supraocular sutures less than twice the 

 fronto-parietals. Supraoculars : As long as the frontal ; and 

 about half the breadth of the frontal along a line connecting 

 the centres of the eyes. Nasals : Two ; the nostril equally 

 in both, occupying the upper two-thirds of the suture. 

 Loreal : One ; often confluent with the lower prseocular ; 

 when not, it is much shorter than the nasals. Prseoculars : 

 Two. Postoculars : Three. Temporals : Two ; the lower 

 well developed, and as long as the supraoculars . Supralabials : 

 Seven ; the 1st and 2nd touching the nasals, the 3rd and 4th 

 the eye, and the 5th and 6th the lower temporal. Sublinguals : 

 Two pairs ; the posterior longer, and in contact with the 5th, 

 6th, and 7th infralabials. Infralabials : Seven ; the 7th 

 touching three scales behind ; twice as broad as the posterior 

 sublinguals, but not so long. 



Costals : Much longer than broad, rectiform, strongly 

 keeled, except in the ultimate row for a variable distance ; 

 apically emarginate usually (sometimes not). Apical facets 

 in pairs, usually very obscure. Vertebrals not enlarged, the 

 breadth of its scales two-fifths to one-third their length, two- 

 fifths to one -third those of the ultimate row. Ultimate row 

 enlarged, the breadth of its scales equal to their length. The 

 rows number from 21 to 27 in midbody, are usually two less 

 two heads -lengths behind the head, and usually six (sometimes 

 eight) less two heads-lengths before the vent. The increase 

 in rows anteriorly is due to the development of a row on each 

 side of the vertebral. The decrease in rows is brought about 

 by the absorption of the row next to the vertebral once, and 

 either the 4th, 5th, or 6th row from the ventrals at the other 

 steps. Supracaudals : In even rows, all keeled to the tail tip. 

 Ventrals : 144 to 163 ; rounded. Anal : Divided. Sub- 

 caudals : 34 to 50 ; divided. 



(b) Anomalies. — The loreal is frequently confluent with 

 the lower prseocular. There are sometimes only two, some- 

 times four postoculars. The infralabials are sometimes 

 only six, and then the 4th, 5th, and 6th touch the posterior 

 sublinguals* 



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

 Praecranterian 12» Cranterian 2; strongly compressed, 



