( 149 ) 



Scales in 17 rows. 



0. spinipunctatus, Jan. 



Loreal distinct. One prae and two postoculars. 9 upper labials, 

 the fourtli, fifth and sixth entering the orbit. Colour aa in 

 subpunctattLs, but with no ventral dots. 



Inhabits Bengal. (1) 



O. affinis, Giinther. 



Loreal none. One prae and two postoculars, 7 upper labials, 

 the third and fourth entering the orbit. A broad median streak 

 unites bands on the head. Nuchal band very narrow, crescentic. 

 Colour brownish grey. Back crossed by 38 short black streaks, _ 

 half a scale broad. Belly white with subquadrangular black spots. 



Grows to 10'5 inches. 



Inhabits the Anamally hUls. 



SiMOTES, Dumeril et Bibron. 



Rostral shield more or less enlarged truncated, bent and 

 extended backwards. Anterior frontals narrow, transverse. 

 Nostril between two nasals. Scales smooth. In the Indian 

 species in 17 or 19 rows. Some from Siam and China in 21. 

 Maxillary teeth few ; the last, longest. Palatine teeth present. 

 Head symmetrically ornamented much as Oligadon. 



These snakes form a very natural group, but the colouration is 

 very variable, and the diflFerences whereby species can be discri- 

 minated are somewhat trivial. The precise separation of some 

 closely allied species cannot be satisfactorily attempted till a 

 larger series is available for examination from India and the 

 countries east of the Bay of Bengal, some of which species are 

 doubtless local representatives of some of those found in the 

 Indian region, and races rather than species. 



Scales in 17 rows, Anal bifid. Loreal none. 



S. albiventer, Giinther. 



S. purpurascens var A. 

 Loreal none, confluent with the hinder frontal. One prge and 

 two postoculars, 7 upper labials, the third and fourth entering 



