264 



SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 



are darker on belly, but are usually distinct ; the anterior ones are 

 V-shaped on back; first 12 ventrals yellow; head yellow-brown, 

 with a dark area on frontal and parietals. Four of the six speci- 

 mens studied have only 2 preoculars on the left side and 3 on the 

 right; one specimen has this reversed, and the other has the same 

 number on each side. The average counts of scale rows on neck 

 and body, of ventral and subcaudal scales, may be expressed in 



the following formula : 



19 



178 to 186; 46 to 51. This, com- 



21-23 



bined with the recorded counts of Boulenger,* gives 



178 



17 19 



to 199 ; 45 to 51. The Borneo specimens have 17 scale rows on 

 body, while the Palawan forms have 19. There is a slightly 

 higher average of ventrals in the Borneo forms. 



Table 56. — Measurements and scale counts of Naja naja miolepis 



(Boulenger) . 



Remarks. — This subspecies appears to be confined to Boi-neo 

 and Palawan, and probably the other islands of the Palawan 

 group. It is easily distinguishable from the other Philippine 

 forms by the white markings on the young, and the dark uniform 

 color of the adults. Griflin f states that the species is common 

 in Palawan. 



Op. cit. 384-385. 



t Philip. Journ. Sci. § A 4 (1909) 600. 



