SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



253 



5th infralabials. Infralabials : Five ; the 5th shorter than the 

 posterior sublinguals, and about as broad as those shields ; 

 usually touching three scales behind. (Fig. 51.) 



Int 



Pr < S Po 



Fig. 51. — Ablabes calamaria. 

 (X 2.) 



Costals : Vertebrals nearly as broad as long, about three- 

 fourths the breadth of the ultimate. Ultimate row with scales 

 as broad as long. In 15 rows in the whole body length. 

 Ventrals : 126 to 163. (127. to 134 in Ceylon specimens). 

 Anal : Divided. Subcaudals : 53 to 76 (67 to 76 in Ceylon 

 specimens). 



(6) Anomalies — Prseoculars : Rarely two. Swpralabials : 

 Sometimes eight. Infralabials : Four only in some speci- 

 mens, owing to a confluence of the normal fourth and fifth. 



