228 



SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



and rather broader along a line connecting the centref3 of the 

 eyes. Nasals : Divided. Loreal : One, nearly as long as 

 the nasals. Prwoculars : One, not nearly touching the 

 frontal. Temporals : Anterior small, the median and pos- 

 terior two-thirds as long as the supraocular. Supralabials : 

 Nine ; the 1st and 2nd touching the nasals ; the 5th and 6th 

 the eye, and the 7th, 8th, and 9th the lower temporal. Sub- 

 lingtuxls : The posterior pair touch the 5th and 6th infra- 

 labials. Infralabials : Six, the sixth largest, broader than 

 the posterior subhnguals, but not so long. 



Fig. 47. — Dendrelaphis tristis. 



Costals : At midbod3r. Vertebrals about as broad as long, 

 about as broad as the ultimate row. Oblique rows. The 

 breadth of the scales less than half their length. Ultimate 

 row enlarged, the breadth of its scales subequal to their 

 length. In 15 rows, two heads-lengths behind the head, 

 15 at midbody, H or 9 two heads-lengths before the vent. 

 The rows decrease to 13 by the absorption of the 4th row 

 from the Ventrals, to 11 by the absorption of the 6th row, 

 and to 9 by the absorption of the 4th or 6th row. Ventrals : 

 163 to 205. Subcaudals : 110 to 150. 



(b) Anomalies — Supralabials: Sometimes eight, the 4th and 

 5th touching the eye ; or ten, the 4th, 6th, and 6th touching 

 the eye. 



