SNAKES OF CEYLON, 149 



Breeding. — (a) The Hexes: I can discover no external 

 differences in the sexes. After mating they are found in 

 company even after the deposition of the eggs. 



(6) Method of Reproduction : The species is known to be 

 oviparous. I have had the eggs brought to me with the mother 

 in attendance. 



(c) Season : I have known a gravid female with small eggs 

 in August, and another in the same month with large eggs 

 seemingly fit for discharge. Mr. Green acquired a gravid 

 specimen in August. Eggs that had been deposited were 

 brought to me also in August. 



(d) Period of Gestation : Not known. 



(e) Period of Incubation : Not known. 



(/) The Eggs : It is not a prolific snake. The eggs vary 

 from two to four. They are white, soft-shelled, very large 

 for the size of the snake, and very elongate, with the poles 

 equally domed. They vary from 25 to 30 mm. (1 to ]i 

 inches) in length, and are about 10 to 12 mm. in breadth 

 (f of an inch). 



Growth. — (o) Length of Hatchling : Not known. 



(b) Maturity: My smallest gravid female taped 276 mm. 

 (10| inches). 



(c) Maximum Length : Boulenger gives this as 430 mm. 

 (nearly 1 foot 5 inches). My largest specimen was 394 mm. 

 (1 foot 3 J inches). 



Lepidosis. — (a) Typical — Rostral : The rostro-nasal sutures 

 longer than the rostro-internasal, about twice the rostro- 

 labials. Internasals : The suture between them half to two- 

 thirds, that between the prsefrontals, subequal to or rather 

 longer than the internaso-prsefrontals. Prsefrontals : Touch- 

 ing the internasal, loreal, prseocular, supraocular, and frontal, 

 the suture between them longer than the prsefronto -frontal. 

 Frontal : The fronto-supraocular sutures subequal to the 

 fronto-parietals. Supraoculars : Length three-fourths the 

 frontal ; breadth about half the frontal, along a line connecting 

 the centres of the eyes. Nasals : Anterior deeper. Loreal : 

 One ; longer than the nasals ; touching the internasal. 

 Prseocular : Not nearly touching the frontal. Temporals : 

 Lower , haK the length of the supraocular. Supralabials : Eight, 



