OPHIOPHAGUS. 15 



kill them from a distance, and to inflict a death-wound as near to the 

 head as possible. Brown or blackish brown above, uniform or with a 

 dorsal series of reddish brown spots ; neck with an indistinct arrow- 

 shaped mark. Anterior part of the belly with large quadrangular 

 blackish-brown spots, posterior part and lower side of the tail more or 

 less clouded with brown. Young specimens have indistinct square, dark 

 spots on the back, arranged in quincunx, and a bright yellow collar 

 broadly edged with black," 



