SNAKES OF CEYLON. 149 



Breeding.— (a) The Sexes: 1 can discover no external 

 differences in the sexes. After mating they are found in 

 company even after the deposition of the eggs. 



(b) Method of Reproduction : The species is known to be 

 oviparous. I have had the eggs brought to me with the mother 

 in attendance. 



(c) Season ; I have known a gravid female with small eggs 

 in August, and another in the same month with large eggs 

 seemingly fit for discharge. Mr. Green acquired a gravid 

 specimen in August. Eggs that had been deposited were 

 brought to me also in August. 



(d) Period of Gestation : Not known. 



(e) Period of Incubation : Not known. 



(/) The Eggs : It is not a prolific snake. The eggs vary 

 from two to four. They are white, soft-shelled, very large 

 for the size of the snake, and very elongate, with the poles 

 equally domed. They vary from 25 to 30 mm. (1 to 1J 

 inches) in length, and are about 10 to 12 mm. in breadth 

 (f of an inch). 



Growth. — (a) Length of Hatchling : Not known. 



(b) Maturity : My smallest gravid female taped 276 mm. 

 (10 J inches). 



(c) Maximum Length : Boulenger gives this as 430 mm. 

 (nearly 1 foot 5 inches). My largest specimen was 394 mm. 

 (1 foot 3 \ inches). 



Lepidosis. — (a) Typical — Rostral : The rostro-nasal sutures 

 longer than the rostro-internasal, about twice the rostro- 

 labials. Internasals : The suture between them half to two- 

 thirds, that between the prefrontals, subequal to or rather 

 longer than the internaso -prefrontals. Prefrontals : Touch- 

 ing the internasal, loreal, praeocular, supraocular, and frontal, 

 the suture between them longer than the prsefronto -frontal. 

 Frontal : The fr onto -supraocular sutures subequal to the 

 fronto-parietals. Supraoculars : Length three -fourths the 

 frontal ; breadth about half the frontal, along a line connecting 

 the centres of the eyes. Nasals : Anterior deeper. Loreal : 

 One ;■ longer than the nasals ; touching the internasal. 

 Praeocular : Not nearly touching the frontal. Temporals : 

 Lower , half the length of the supraocular. Supralabials : Eight. 



