564 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



Costals : Longer than broad ; rectiform ; obtusely keeled 

 in some of the median rows posteriorly. Vertebral row not 

 enlarged, the breadth of its scales about two-thirds their length, 

 and about three-fourths the breadth of the ultimate row. 

 Last four rows rather broader than those above. Ultimate 

 row broadest ; the breadth of its scales subequal to their 

 length. The rows are 19 or 17 to behind midbody, and then 

 reduce to 15. The reduction is effected by the absorption of 

 the 4th or 5th row above the ventrals. Supracaudals : In 

 even rows. Ventrals : 145 to 170. Anal : Entire. Sub- 

 caudals : 53 to 67. 



(&) Anomalies : The internasals are sometimes in contact 

 A\ ith the 3rd supralabial. 



Dentition. — Prom one skull in my collection. Maxillary: 

 Two large canaliculate fangs. Palatine : 5 ; edentulous in 

 its posterior half. Pterygoid : 11 to 12 ; edentulous in its 

 posterior half. Mandibular : 13 (? 12). 



Distribution. — {a) General : Peculiar to Ceylon. 



(6) Local : It is an up-country snake, and fairly common. 

 Haly, however, says it occurs down to sea level. Mr. 

 Drummond-Hay tells me it favours an elevation above 3,000 

 feet. Has been recorded from Matale, Punduloya, and 

 Neboda. I have received specimens, or been given records, 

 from Peradeniya, Kandy, Ratnapura, Balangoda, Yatiyantota, 

 Moragalla, and Badulla. 



