SNAKES OF CEYLON. 367 



entering the eye ; two or three superimposed anterior tem- 

 porals ; two pairs of subequal chin shields in contact, or 

 posterior separated by one scale. 30 to 33* scales round the 

 neck, 43 to 47f round the body ; scales rhomboidal andsubim- 

 bricate on the neck, hexagonal and juxtaposed on the body ; of 

 young smooth, of adult female with a feeble tubercle or keel, of 

 adult male with a strong spinose tubercle. Ventrals distinct 

 throughout, 300 to 387. Young yellowish or grayish olive 

 above, white beneath, with complete black rings which are 

 broadest on the back ; head black, with an angular yellow 

 (vermilion) band above the apex on the snout ; tail black, 

 with light vertical bands at the base. In the adult the bands 

 become more obsolete and are not continued across the body, 

 and the head is uniform olive brown. 



" Total length 940 mm., tail 90. 



" Coasts of Baluchistan, India, and Ceylon." 



Four of these specimens are from Ceylon, one from Madras, 

 one from Orissa, and one from Gwadar, Baluchistan. 



Lioselasma bituberculata (Peters). 



(Latin " bis " twice, and" tuberculatus " with a boss, 

 referring to the tubercles on the scales.) 



Peters' Seasnake. 



Known from a single specimen described by Peters in 1872, 

 which is deposited in the Berlin Museum. It appears to be 

 very closely allied to cyanocincta (Daudin). 



General Characters. — A snake of fair proportions growing to 

 over 3 feet. Head and general habit seemingly very like 

 cyanocincta. 



Identification. — Will be recognized by the following features : 

 The bidentate keels on the scales, the costal rows two heads - 

 lengths behind the head 28, and in midbody 47. 



* I count these in the same specimens two heads-lengths behind the 

 head 31 to 37. 



f I count them 40 to 49. 



