NAJA 



268 



slightly shorter than its distance to end of snout ; parietals much 

 longer than wide ; nostril vertical, between 2 nasals ; a single small 

 preocLilar; 3 postoculars (2 on left side) ; 2 anterior' temporals, 

 the lower nearly as large as parietals, narrowly separated from 

 mouth ; 3 posterior temporals ; the scales bordering parietals and 

 temporals slightly enlarged; 7 upper labials, third and fourth 

 entering eye, third not reaching the height of middle of eye; 



Naja naja iniolepis (Boulenper) ; a, head, dorsal view; h, head, lateral view; c, chin; 



X 1. 



labials in the following order of size : seventh, fifth, third, fourth, 

 sixth, first, and second ; 8 lower labials, with a small scale inserted 

 between fourth and fifth bordering mouth (always present) ; 

 anterior chin shields longer and wider than posterior, which are 

 not separated ; 4 labials touching first pair of chin shields ; scales 

 smooth in 23 rows on neck, 19 around body ; ventrals, 182 ; sub- 

 caudals, 46; anal single. 



Color in alcohol. — Bluish to brownish black on body dorsally, 

 and laterally slightly lighter below; the skin between the scales 

 lighter; on latter half of body several dim, V-shaped, lighter 

 bands cross body at distant intervals; head olive-brown, side of 

 head and chin yellowish. A yellowish brown band on side of 

 neck crossing anterior part. 



Measurements of Naja naja miolepis (Boulenger) . 



Total length 



Snout to vent 



Tail 



Length of head 



Width of head 



Variation. — The young are deep black with a series of about 

 12 yellowish bands about body continuing to tip of tail; these 



mm. 



1,227 



1,050 



177 



36 



23 



