144 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



(b) Method of Reproduction: I examined several egg-bound 

 females. The eggs, from their size and character, leave no 

 doubt that the species is oviparous. 



(c) Season : This is not known, as no dates were 

 available. 



(d) The Eggs: In three specimens I found only two eggs, 

 and in another three. Those most advanced were extremely 

 elongate, measuring 310 by 5 mm. (1^ by -^ of an inch). No 

 trace of an embryo could be discovered. 



Growth. — (a) The Hatchling: The smallest specimens I 

 have measured were 137 and 140 mm. (5 J and 5f inches), but 

 as the navel appeared well closed, it is probable that the young 

 when hatched are even smaUer. 



(6) Early Life : Want of dates make it impossible to follow 

 the rate of growth. 



(c) Maturity: The smallest of four egg-bound females 

 measured 370 mm. (14f inches). 



(d) Maximum Length: The longest male was 342 mm. 

 (13J inches), six females exceeded 355 mm. (14 inches), the 

 longest being 417 mm. (16J inches), and 450 mm. (17| 

 inches). 



Lepidosis. — (a) Typical — Rostral : Touches three shields, 

 owing to the confluence of the nasal and 1st labial. Inter- 

 nasals : One. Prefrontals : A pair ; the suture between 

 them rather longer than the prsefronto -frontal ; touching the 

 internasal, nasal, 2nd and 3rd labials, prseocular, and supra- 

 ocular. Frontal : Touches six shields ; the fronto -supra- 

 ocular sutures subequal to the fronto -parietals. Supra- 

 oculars : Length about three -fourths the frontal, breadth 

 about three -fifths the frontal along a line connecting the 

 centres of the eyes. Parietals : Much longer than the 

 frontal. Nasals : Two ; the anterior confluent with the 1st 

 labial. Loreal : Absent. Prseocular : One, not reaching the 

 frontal. Postoculars : Two. Temporal : One, longer than 

 the supraocular. Supralabials : Seven ; 1st and 2nd touching 

 the nasal, 3rd and 4th or the 4th only the eye, 5th and 6th the 

 temporal ; last longest. Sublinguals : Two pairs ; the anterior 

 twice as long as the posterior ; posterior touching the 4th 



