274 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



Growth. — (a) Length of Hatchling : The smallest specimens 

 I have had measured 237 mm. (9| inches) and 260 mm. (10 J 

 inches). Both appeared to be hatchhngs. The former was 

 captured in Trichinopoly in March, and the latter in Banglore 

 in July. Blyth records the measurement of the young as 

 ahout 230 mm. (9 inches), but as he refers to a species 

 attaining to a length of 6 feet, this statement does not inspire 

 confidence. 



(b) Early Life : The rate of growth is difficult to foUow 

 from my records. An unusual number of specimens range 

 round about 2 feet in length in the months of June, July, and 

 August, and would probably be two years old. 



(c) Maturity : My smallest prospective dam measured 

 570 mm. (1 foot 10| inches) in length, and would appear to be 

 about two years old. 



{d) Maximum Length : I have already remarked that 

 females appear to grow much longer than males. My largest 

 male record is 655 mm. (2 feet If inch), but I have many 

 female records in the vicinity of 915 mm. (3 feet). My largest 

 female taped 940 mm. (3 feet 1 inch). 



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

 are about twice the rostro -internasals and rostro-labials. 

 Internasals : The suture between them is about two -thirds 

 that between the preefrontals ; two-thirds to three-fourths 

 the internaso-prsef rentals. Prxfrontals : The suture between 

 them is subequal to the prsefronto-f rentals ; touches the 

 internasal, postnasal, loreal, prseocular, and supraocular. 

 Frontal : The fronto -supraocular sutures are rather longer than 

 the fronto -parietals. Supraoculars : Length subequal to the 

 frontal, breadth about half the frontal along a Une connecting 

 the centres of the eyes. Nasals : Divided. Loreal : About 

 half to three-fifths the length of the nasals. Prseocular : Not 

 or barely reaching the top of the head. Postoculars : Two. 

 Temporals : Two ; very irregular in size and number. Supra- 

 labials : Eight ; 1st and 2nd touching the nasals ; 3rd, 4th, 

 and 5th touching the eye ; and the 6th and 7th the lower 

 temporal. Sublinguals : Posterior subequal to or shorter 

 than the anterior ; quite separated by scales ; touching the 



