SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



141 



6th infralabials. Infralabials : Six ; the 5th and 6th sub- 

 equal ; 6th broader than the posterior sublinguals, but much 

 shorter than them ; touching three scales behind. (Fig. 32.) 



v n 



n * 5 



Fig. 32. — Helicops schistosus. 

 (Life size.) 



Gostals : Longer than broad, rectiform, apically emarginate, 

 keeled, except in the last two or three rows at midbody. 

 Vertebrals not enlarged, the breadth of the scales about two- 

 thirds their length, and about half that of the ultimate row. 

 Last seven rows progressively enlarging. Ultimate broadest, 

 the breadth of its scales subequal to or rather greater than 

 their length. In 19 rows to behind midbody, where they 



