4. prTHOK. 81 



Morelia, Gray, Zool. Miscell. p. 43 ; Dwm. S[ Bibr. t. c. p. 383 ; 



Gray, Cat. p. 85 ; Jan, I, c. p. 94. 

 Hortulia, Gray, Zool. Miscell. p. 43, and Cat. p. 89. 

 Liasis, part,, Sum. <§• Bibr. t. c. p. 431 ; Gray, Cat. p. 91 ; Jan, I. c. 



p. 98. 

 Simalia, Gray, Cat. p. 91. 



Aspidopython, A. B. Meyer, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1874, p. 135. 

 Aspidoboa, Sauvage, BvU. Soc. PJdlom. (7) viii. 1884, p. 143. 

 Hypaspistes, Douglas Ogilby, Heo. Austral. Mus. i. 1891, p. 193, 



Prasm axillary bone toothed. Anterior maxillary and mandibular 

 teeth very long, gradually decreasing in size. Head distinct from 

 neck ; end of snout covered with shields, upper surface of head 

 with symmetrical shields or small scales ; nostril directed upwards 

 or supero-lateral,in a large semidivided nasal, which is separated from 

 its fellow by a pair of intemasals ; rostral and anterior upper labials 

 with deep pits ; some of the lower labials also pitted. Eye moderate, 

 with vertical pupil. Body more or less compressed ; scales small, 

 smooth. Tail moderate or short, prehensile; subcaudals all or 

 greater part in two rows. 



Tropical and South Africa ; South-eastern Asia ; Papua-sia; Aus- 

 tralia. 



Synopsis of the Sjpecies. 



I. Subcaudals more than 50 pairs. 



A. 39 to 60 scales across the thickest part of the body. 



1. Crown covered with scales or small irregular shields ; 2 or 



3 upper labials pitted 1. spilotes, p. 82. 



2. Crown with large symmetrical shields : 4 upper labials 



pitted. 

 39 to 53 scales ; six or seven lower labials 



pitted 2. amethystinus, p. 83. 



60 scales ; five lower labials pitted .... 3. timorensis, p. 85. 



B. 61 to 93 scales across the body. 



69 to 79 scales : 297-330 ventrals ; 78- 



102 caudals ; four upper labials pitted ; 



rostral as deep as broad 4. reticulatus, p. 85. 



81 to 93 scales ; 269-286 ventrals ; 63- 



77 caudals ; two upper labials pitted ; 



rostral as deep as broad 5. sehce, p. 86. 



61 to 75 scales ; 242-265 ventrals _; 60- 

 72 caudals ; two upper labials pitted ; 



rostral broader than deep 6. molurus, p. 87. 



II. Subcaudals less than 50 pairs ; scales 53 to 63. 

 253-267 ventrals ; 46-47 caudals ; five 



upper labials pitted 7. anchietce, p. 88. 



VOL. I. ^ 



