SNAKES OF CEYLON. 227 



when cut open were found to contain minute embryos curled 

 up in a small oval chamber about the middle of the yolk. 

 (See Pig. 46.) 



J 



Fig. 46. — Egg of Dendrelaphie tristis showing chamber and embryo. 



(Life size.) 



Growth. — (a) Length of Young: The smallest specimen 

 I have seen measured 261 mm. {\Q^ inches). This was kiUed 

 on August 28 at Marmagoa, West Coast, India, and appeared 

 to be a hatchling. It is Very remarkable that this is the only 

 very young example that has passed through my hands in 25 

 years. 



(h) Early Life : I have not been able to ascertain the 

 amiual growth of this species, not having a long enough 

 series to indicate the broods of successive years. 



(c) Maturity: The smallest gravid specimen I know of 

 measured 521 mm. (3 feet 4| inches). 



(d) Maximum Length: My largest measurement is 1,240 

 mm. (4 feet). Abercromby. gives a similar length. Boulenger 

 says it attains to 1310 mm. (4 feet 2| inches), the tail 420 mm. 

 (16i inches). 



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

 longer than the rostro-internasals, more than twice the 

 rostro-labials. Internasals : The suture between them 

 subequal to that between the prsefrontals, and subequal to 

 the internaso-prsefrontals. Preefrontals : Touching the 

 internasal, postnasal, loreal, prseocular, and supraocular ; 

 the suture between them longer than the prsefronto-frontal. 

 Frontal: The fronto -supraocular sutures more than twice 

 the fronto -par ietals. Supraoculars : As long as the frontal, 



