( 138 ) 



only the anterior portion of the trunk variously streaked blotched- 

 and dotted with yellow. Tail always yellow beneath. Length, 

 of the largest specimen 16 inches ; girth of trunk IJ inches." 



Inhabits South Kanara, " very common on the top of Kudra 

 Mukh" at 6,000. 



From the character of its tail I have removed this species 

 from Sihybura to Plectrurus. The describer does not describe 

 the postocular, which is probably therefore confluent with 

 the supra-orbital. 



Melanophidium, Gunther. 



TaU slightly compressed, covered with smooth scales and tei-- 

 minating in a very small smooth, slightly upturned homy point. 

 Nasals form a suture behind the rostral. Eye in a single plate. 

 A median groove along the chin. 



M. Wynaadense, Beddome. P. Z. S., 1863, p. 228. 

 Plectrurus Wynaadensis, Bed. Mad. Mont. J. Med. Science. 

 Snout obtuse. Rostral small, convex as high as broad. Nasals 

 large, vertical hexagonal longer than broad. The first pair of 

 lower labials form a suture behind the mental. A pair of chin 

 shields. Scales in 15 rows. Ventrals 180 thrice as broad as the 

 adjoining scales. Anal large, bifid. Subcaudals 12 pairs. Colour 

 black. Belly posteriorly black and white. Grows to 9 inches. 

 Inhabits the Wynaad (NUghiris) at 3,500 feet. 



M. bUineatum, Bed. Mad. Month. J., M. S. Sept. 1870. 

 " Fifteen rows of smooth scales: tail compressed (as in Plec- 

 trurus) ending in a single point, head rather elongate, snout 

 rounded, mouth large, nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, 

 frontals. large produced back to a level with the eye over the 

 ocular shield : eye very small, no supra-ocular, a median groove. 

 Belly and back, uniform bluish black, very nacreous, and assum- 

 ing aU the colours of the rainbow in the sun ; a broad yellow 

 streak from the snout to the tail on each side, which occupies 

 the whole of the second scale from the abdominals and half the 

 first and third scales ; subcaudals 14 pairs, total length eight 

 inches ; as thick as a goose quiU." 



