362 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



merging to yellow ventrally, and is variously adorned with 

 from 41 to 70 black bands or bars, which expand vertebrally 

 The various colour varieties may be grouped as follows : — 



A. — With well-defined black bands more or less connected 

 ventrally. Analogous to variety A (4) of spiralis. 



(1) All the bands complete. A common form ranging 



from the Persian Gulf to Tenasserim. 



(2) Some of the posterior bands interrupted costally 



or subcostally. Not uncommon from the Persian 

 Gulf to Tenasserim. 



(3) Some of the posterior bands ..deficient ventrally 



and converted into bars. Analogous to variety 

 B of spiralis. 



B.— With well-defined black bands not united ventrally. 

 Analogous to variety brugmansi of spiralis. A com 

 mon form from the Persian Gulf to Tenasserim. 



C. — With obscure bands or bars. Usually seen in old adults. 

 A common form from the Persian Gulf to Tenasserim. 



D. — With well-defined dorsal bars throughout. Comparable 

 to variety C of spiralis. Common from the Persian 

 Gulf to Tenasserim. 



E. — phipsoni (Murray). With a continuous black dorsal 

 band. Comparable to varieties inornata of ornata and 

 jayakari of viper ina. Known from a single specimen 

 from Bombay, viz., the type in the British Museum. 



Habits. — An illustration of its prehensile powers came to my 

 notice in 1916, when a lascar on the Hospital ship " Madras " 

 was heaving the lead at the head of the Persian Gulf. The 

 lascar was much dismayed on landing the lead on deck to 

 find a chittul had wreathed itself round it. The specimen 

 was killed and given to me. 



Food. — The diet has not been specially investigated. 



Breeding. — {a) The Sexes : There is nothing special to 

 remark upon. They seem to be evenly balanced and to 

 acquire similar lengths. In the male the keels are rougher 

 and more deeply dentated. The male clasper is beset with 

 recurved processes and is bifid only at the extreme tip. 



(b) Method of Reproduction : It is known to be viviparous, 



