274 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



Growth. — (a) Length of Hatchling : The smallest specimens 

 I have had measured 237 mm. (9| inches) and 260 mm. (10J 

 inches). Both appeared to be hatchlings. The former was 

 captured in Trichinopoly in March, and the latter in Banglore 

 in July. Blyth records the measurement . of the young as 

 about 230 mm. (9 inches), but as he refers to a species 

 attaining to a length of 6 feet, this statement does not inspire 

 confidence. 



(b) Early Life : The rate of growth is difficult to. follow 

 from my records. An unusual number of specimens range 

 round about 2 feet in length in the months of June, July, and 

 August, and would probably be two years old. 



(c) Maturity : My smallest prospective dam measured 

 570 mm. (1 foot 10J inches) in length, and would appear to be' 

 about two years old. 



(d) Maximum Length : I have already remarked that 

 females appear to grow much longer than males. My largest 

 male record is 655 mm. (2 feet If inch), but I have many 

 female records in the vicinity of 915 mm. (3 feet). My largest 

 female taped 940 mm. (3 feet 1 inch). 



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

 are about twice the rostro -internasals and rostro -labials. 

 Internasals : The suture between them is about two -thirds 

 that between the prefrontals ; two -thirds to three-fourths 

 the internaso -prefrontals. Prefrontals : The suture between 

 them is subequal to the prsefronto-frontals ; touches the 

 internasal, postnasal, loreal, prseocular, and supraocular. 

 Frontal : The fronto -supraocular sutures are rather longer than 

 the fronto -parietals. Supraoculars : Length subequal to the 

 frontal, breadth about half the frontal along a line connecting 

 the centres of the eyes. Nasals : Divided. Loreal : About 

 half to three-fifths the length of the nasals. Prseocular : Not 

 or barely reaching the top of the head. Postoculars : Two. 

 Temporals : Two ; very irregular in size and number. Supra- 

 labials : Eight ; 1st and 2nd touching the nasals ; 3rd, 4th, 

 and 5th touching the eye ; and the 6th and 7th the lower 

 temporal. Sublinguals : Posterior subequal to or shorter 

 than the anterior ; quite separated by scales ; touching the 



