SNAKES OF CEYLON. 243 



(b) Method of Reproduction : It is not known whether it 

 is oviparous or viviparous. 



(c) Season: From my records it would appear that the 

 season for the appearance of the young is a very protracted 

 one. All my specimens ranging between 126 and 188 mm. 

 (6 and 7J inches) were taken from May to September. 



(d) Period of Gestation : Not known. 



(e) Number of Brood : Not known. 



Growth. — (a) Length of Young: My smallest specimen, 

 apparently a hatchling, was lolled in Cannanore in March, 

 and measured 122 mm. (4-g inches). I have had as 

 many as 14 other examples measuring between 6 and 7J 

 inches that appeared to be recently born or hatched. 



(b) Early Life : I cannot follow the annual growth from 

 my records. 



(c) Maximum Length : Much my largest specimen, collected 

 in the Nelliampathi Hills, South India, was 585 mm. 

 (23 inches) long, the tail 85 mm. (3| inches). Specimens 

 exceeding 508 mm. (20 inches) are Very uncommon. 



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

 rostro-internasal sutures are subequal and longer than the 

 rostro -labials. Inter nasals : The suture between them sub- 

 equal to that between the prefrontals or a little shorter, less 

 than half the internaso -prefrontals. Prefrontals : The 

 suture between them less than half the prsefronto-frontals ; 

 touching the internasal, postnasal, prseocular, and supra- 

 ocular. Frontal : The front o -supraocular sutures rather 

 longer than the fronto-parietals. Supraoculars : About three- 

 fourths the length of the frontal, and half or less than half 

 its breadth along a line connecting the centres of the eyes. 

 Parietals: Length subequal to the frontal. Nasals: Divided. 

 Loreal : About as long as deep ; about half the length of the 

 nasals. Prasocular : Not reaching the top of the head. 

 Postoculars : Two. Temporals : One ; about three-fourths 

 the length of the supraocular. Supralabials : Seven ; the 

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



