276 



SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



steps to 15 two heads -lengths before the vent. The rows 

 reduce from 21 to 19 by the absorption of the uppermost row 

 into the vertebral ; from 19 to 17 by the fusion of the third 

 and fourth rows from the ventrals ; from 17 to 15 the upper- 

 most row is again absorbed into the vertebral. Ventrals : In 

 males 206 to 221, in females 218 to 256. Anal : Entire. 

 Subcaudals : In males 79 to 96, in females 75 to 88 ; divided. 

 (Figs. 55 and 5Q.) 



-Ver 



COS 



Fig. 55. — Scales of D. trigonatus seen from above. 



ver 



Ven 



Fig. 56. — Dipsadomoiphus trigonatus to show scaling. 



(b) Anomalies — Supralabials : The second is rarely divided 

 into an upper and a lower part. Costals : Rarely 23 rows. 

 In one such specimen I noted that the fourth row from the 

 ventrals divided, and reunited several times in the forebody. 

 The steps of absorption may not occur in normal order. 

 Subcaudals : A few of those near the base of the tail are 

 sometimes entire. 



