506 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



the snout. These lines converge, and usually meet on the 

 snout to form a V. The lips are white, whitish, or pink, 

 variegated with spots, specks, or streaks. 



The dorsal adornment consists of a triple series of about 23 

 to 30 large ovate spots, forming a vertebral and two costal 

 necklaces or chains. It is not infrequent to see some of these 

 spots more or less confluent, in fact, it is rarely one sees a 

 perfect rosary. The costal spots a.re frequently interrupted 

 at their lower margins, and sometimes taper, reminding one of 

 a baloon. I have seen a specimen from Kotagiri (5,700 feet) in 

 the Nilgiris in which the three series of spots are completely 

 confluent into bands. The sinuous outhnes of these bands 

 indicate the number of spots, which, however, are broadly 

 blended, in the entire length of the snake. It is the only one 

 I have seen so marked. Each spot may be of uniform colour 

 throughout, but more often exhibits a light central zone, 

 similar to the ground colour, which merges into a deep Lincoln- 

 green, purple, or black, around which again may be seen a 

 narrow zone of buff or pure white, the latter especially en- 

 hancing the beauty of the specimen. Mr. Millard tells me 

 that about Bombaj^ adult specimens do not have this white 

 definition to the spots, and he is inclined to regard it as a 

 distinct variety. I have satisfied myself that specimens are 

 to be met with in most parts, including Bombay, with and 

 without this white adornment. Tc begin with, I found in 

 some hatchhngs of the same brood, born in the Bombay 

 Natural History Society's Museum, and preserved in spirit, 

 some individuals luth and some without the white deline- 

 ament. In a mother from Saugor, the spots had no light 

 margins, though the single embryo had spots picked out with 

 pale buff. 



The belly is white, whitish, or yellowish, ^rtth darkish 

 semilunes distributed sparsely and disposed at the margins of 

 the ventrals, especially in the anterior part of the body. 



Habits. — (a) Haunts : It may be met with almost anywhere, 

 except, I believe, in dense jungle, but it prefers open country 

 into which the sun can penetrate and shed its agreeable 

 warmth. Here it lies quietly amongst the vegetation, in 

 lazy apathy, apparently oblivious of its surroundings, but 



