164 



SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



sublinguals, and about twdce as broad ; in contact with 

 three scales behind. 



Fig. 36. — Cercaspis earinatus. 

 (X i) 



Costals : All rows keeled posteriorly. Vertebrals : Breadth 

 rather less than their length, about three -fourths to four-fifths 

 that of the ultimate. Ultimate row enlarged, the scales as 

 broad as long. In 17 rows two heads-lengths behind the head, 

 19 at midbody, and 17 two heads-lengths before the vent. 

 The increase of rows occurs four or five heads-lengths behind 

 the head, and is due to the division of the fourth row from the 

 ventrals. The reduction occurs four or five heads-lengths 

 before the vent, and is due to the absorption of the fourth or 

 fifth row above the ventrals. Ventrals : 185 to 202 ; angulate 

 laterally. Anal : Entire. Supracaudals : In odd rows ; 

 keeled to the tip of the tail, Subcaudals : 51 to 64 ; entire. 



