SNAKES OF CEYLON. 367 



entering the eye ; two or three superimposed anterior tem- 

 porals ; two pairs of subequa] chin shields in contact, or 

 posterior separated by one scale. 30 to 33* scales round the 

 neck, 43 to 47f round the body ; scales rhomboidal andsubim- 

 bricate on the neck, hexagonal and juxtaposed on the body ; of 

 young smooth, of adult female with a feeble tubercle or keel, of 

 adult male with a strong spinose tubercle. Ventrals distinct 

 throughout, 300 to 387. Young yellowish or grayish olive 

 above, white beneath, with complete black rings which are 

 broadest on the back ; head black, with an angular yellow 

 (vermilion) band above the apex on the snout ; tail black, 

 with Ught vertical bands at the base; In the adult the bands 

 become more obsolete and are not continued across the body, 

 and the head is uniform olive brown. 



" Total length 940 mm., tail 90. 



" Coasts of Baluchistan, India, and Ceylon." 



Four of these specimens are from Ceylon, one from Madras, 

 one from Orissa, and one from Gwadar, Baluchistan. 



LlOSELASMA BITUBEECULATA (Pctcrs). 



(Latin " bis " twice, and " tuberoulatus " with a boss, 

 referring to the tubercles on the scales.) 



Peters' Seasnake. 



Known from a single specimen described by Peters in 1872, 

 which is deposited in the Berlin Museum. It appears to be 

 very closely allied to cyanocincta (Daudin). 



General Characters. — -A snake of fair proportions growing to 

 over 3 feet. Head and general habit seemingly very like 

 cyanocincta. 



Identification, — Will be recognized by the following features : 

 The bidentate keels on the scales, the costal rows two heads- 

 lengtha behind the head 28, and in midbody 47. 



" I count these in the same specimens two heads-lengths behind the 

 head 31 to 37. 



1 1 count them 40 to 49. 



