1835.] New species of Snake discovered in the Doab. 217 



VII. — On a new species of Snake discovered in the Doab. 

 A variety of Coluber, undescribed as far as ray means of reference 

 allow me to note with regard to the Ophiology of India, having late- 

 ly come under my observation, it may be worth while to describe the 

 animal, as I observe at page 159 of the 15th vol. of the Encyclopedia 

 Britannica under the head of Coluber Mycterizans' a variety described 

 as belonging to North America, very closely resembling that in ques- 

 tion. The animal was killed in the dry stony bed of a branch of the 

 Jumna, through which the Doab canal runs, near the Sewalik moun- 

 tains ; its motion, as described to me by the person who killed it, was 

 similar to that of some varieties of caterpillar, who in their progress 

 forwards, elevate the body until the extremities meet, continuing their 

 journey in a system of jerks or steps. 



The great peculiarity of this species con- 

 sists in the proportion of length to breadth, 

 and the extreme prominence of the upper 

 jaw — a sketch of which will be the only 

 ^^~~ way of making it intelligible. 



xt. in. 

 Length of animal, 3 5^ 



'd 1 



From snout to vent, 2 2^ 



Vent to end of tail, 1 2^ 



Abdominal plates, 206 



Subcaudal, 170 



Diameter of middle and thickest part of the body, § of an inch. 



Diameter of neck, •% ditto. 



Projection of upper jaw over lower, ■$ ditto. 



Color grass green, with a yellowish white line running from the 

 cheek to the end of the tail on each side at the junction at the abdomi- 

 nal and subcaudal plates with the dorsal scales : a double line of the 

 same color running also centrically from the chin to the vent in the 

 centre of the abdominal plates ; nose very pointed, and upper jaw ex- 

 tending ^ inch beyond the lower ; head flat, one inch long, and § inches 

 over the occiput, color of eye raw terra sienna (light) ; not poisonous, 

 and without fangs. 



I subjoin an extract from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, as above- 

 mentioned. 



" Coluber Mycterizans, 'Long-snouted snake;' 192 abdominal plates, 

 167 subcaudal scales, slender, with a sharp pointed snout: color grass 

 green, with a yellow line on each side of the abdomen. About three 

 feet and a half in length, and half an inch in diameter. Native of 

 North America, where it is often seen on trees, running very quickly 

 in pursuit of insects." 



BE B 



