134 SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 



The known range of the ventrals is 216 to 225; of the sub- 

 eaudals, 87 to 99. The specimen from Balabac has no preocular 

 (being fused with the supraocular) , but a preocular is present in 

 both the type and the second Palavv'an specimen. The type has 

 only 2 postoculars on the left side and 3 on the right. Three is 

 the normal number of postoculars. 



Remarks. — This species, as has been remarked by Griffin, 

 is related to Dryocalatnus tristrigatus Giinther, and strongly 

 resembles it in color and markings. The apical pits in the 

 scales are absent in this species ; the postoculars are three instead 

 of two; and a preocular is normally present. Griffin remarks 

 as follows on the dentition in the type : 



Maxillary teeth 8; the last two considerably larger than the others, 

 compressed toward their points, and separated from the first six by a 

 short space. The anterior mandibular teeth are slightly longer than the 

 posterior. There is one distinct tooth-like knob on the basisphenoid. 



The species is known only from Palawan and Balabac. It 

 is not poisonous. 



Genus ZAOCYS Cope 



Coryphodon, part., Gunther Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. (1858) 107; 



.Jan, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 63. 

 Zaocys Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1S60) 563; GtJN- 



THEE, Kept. Brit. India (1864) 255; Boettgee, Ber. Senck. Nat. 



Ges. (1886) 108; Boulenger, Fauna Brit. India, Kept. (1890) 



329; Cat. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1 (1893) 374; Casto de Elera, Cat. 



Fauna Filipinas 1 (1895) 428. 

 Herpetodriias, part., Jan, Elenco Sist. Ofid. (1863) 80. 

 Zapyrus Gunther, Rept. Brit. India (1864) 256. 



"Maxillary teeth 20 to 33, increasing in size posteriorly; 

 mandibular teeth subequal. Head elongate, distinct from neck; 

 eye large, with round pupil ; a subocular beneath the prteocular. 

 Body elongate, a little compressed ; scales smooth or keeled, 

 with apical pits, in 14, 16, or 18 rows; ventrals rounded. Tail 

 long; subcaudals in two rows." (Boideiigcr.) 



Two species occur in the Philippines. 



Keij to the Philippine ttpeciea of Zaocys Cope. 



a\ Scales smooth, in 14 rows.. Z. luzonensis Gunther (p. 135K 



(I-. Scales keeled on 2 or 4 middle rows ; scales in 16 to 18 rows. 



Z. carinatus Giinther (p. 130). 



Zaocys luzonensi.'i Giinther is known only from the type and 

 two other specimens; Z. carhtatiis is found in the Philippines 

 only in Palawan and appears to be confined to that island, 

 where it is not rare. 



