SNAKES OF CEYLON. 357 



the base of the organ. A median raphe passes up the back, 

 and bifurcates just at the tip, each limb surrounding a small 

 blunt little lobule, somewhat triangular in form. 



(b) Method of Reproduction : It is viviparous in habit. 



(c) Season : A gravid female obtained by me in Colombo 

 on January 24, 1920, contained embryos varying from 342 to 

 367 mm. (13| to 14^ inches). The male genitalia were still 

 exserted. These would probably have been born in February, 

 Dr. Henderson acquired a gravid female in Madras on June 1, 

 1910. The embryos varied from 267 to 292 mm. (lOi to 11^ 

 inches), and it is quite likely these would not have been born 

 till August. Another gravid female killed in Madras on 

 June 10, 1911, held embryos varying from 393 to 410 mm. 

 (15^ to 16J inches). The male genitalia were not exserted. 

 These would have been born very shortly, probably in 

 June. 



(d) The Brood : A Madras specimen contained five embryos 

 that could not be sexed. My Colombo specimen held seven 

 foetuses, two females and five males. Dr. Henderson's dam 

 contained fourteen young, ten of which were males and four 

 females. 



Growth. — (a) The Young : There are no records of exact 

 measurements at birth, but the fact that I found unborn 

 young with no genitalia visible that measured 393 to 410 mm. 

 (15| to 16J inches) makes it probable that the young are about 

 405 mm. (16 inches) long when bom. Four specimens in the 

 British Museum presented by Sir J. McGrigor are probably 

 fcetuses. They measure from 380 to 403 mm. (15 to 16 

 inches). It seems unlikely that all these should have been 

 captured after birth, and there is no history to throw any 

 hght on the subject. They are labelled from the " Indian 

 Ocean." 



(6) Early Life : I am unable from my records to follow the 

 growth. 



