SNAKES OF CEYLON. 161 



rows occurs shortly behind midbody, and is due to the absorp- 

 tion of the fourth row from the ventrals. Ventrals : Laterally 

 angulate ; 170 to 224. Anal : Divided. Subcaudals : 

 Divided ; 56 to 80. 



(6) Anomalies — Nasals : Sometimes touch the 1st only of 

 the supralabials. Loreal : Rarely divided into an anterior 

 and a posterior part. Postoculars : Rarely three. Temporals : 

 Rarely three. Supralabials : Two shields are sometimes 

 confluent, making eight, or a supernumerary may be present 

 making ten. In the former case the 3rd and 4th only may 

 touch the eye, and in the latter the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. 

 Anal : Rarely entire. Subcaudals : Sometimes a few near 

 the base of the tail are entire. 



Dentition. — From seven skulls in my collection. Maxillary : 

 Prsenodal 5 ; the anterior three progressively increasing 

 in length, the last two subequal, and about twice the length 

 of the third. Postnodal 8 to 12. Cranterian 2 ; about 

 twice the length of the preceding. Palatine : 10 to 15. 

 Pterygoid : 18 to 25. Mandibular : Praenodal 5 ; the 

 anterior three progressively increasing in length, the last two 

 subequal, and about twice the length of the third. Post- 

 nodal 13 to 19 ; small and subequal. (Fig. 35.) 



Fig. 35. — Jaws of Lycodon aulicus. 



Maxilla above. 



Mandible below. 



26 6(6)20 



