i'^^mm' 



TRIMERESURUS 301 



rows, those bordering labials largest ; head scales on snout larger 

 than those between eyes, all strongly keeled save those that 

 border canthus rostralis ; scales between supraoculars 9 or 10 ; 

 from last lower labials to first ventral, 9 rows of scales; scales 

 on chin and throat large, wider than deep; scales on body in 

 23 rows, all keeled ; outer row largest ; pupil vertical ; ventrals, 

 131 ; anal entire ; subcaudals, 43. 



Color in life. — Dorsally a bright bluish green, with yellowish 

 green to yellow laterally and ventrally ; a series of bands on body, 

 (21 on body, 13 on tail) ; these bands are composed of a greenish 

 yellow stripe bordered by a black line of varying width; some 

 of the bands are broken in the middle ; below they connect with 

 a narrow black line crossing ventrals ; usually 1 or 2 black lines 

 between ends of bars ventrally; ventrals are of varying shades 

 of yellow to cream, all with a tinge of green; ventral lines are 

 black ; tail pinkish, the black bands not connected above or below ; 

 top of head variously spotted with black; a yellowish line runs 

 from nasal through eye, and around angle of jaw ; behind eye 

 this is bordered below by a black band which continues the 

 same distance ; upper and lower labials yellow-green, some edged 

 with black. Length, 655 millimeters ; tail, 102. 



Variation. — In this form the chief variation is between the 

 young and the adult. The black color is usually wanting and is 

 usually replaced by brown or brown and lavender; the head is 

 sometimes spotted, sometimes not. The number of upper labials 

 is almost constantly 9, with usually 10 lower labials; ventrals 

 average 134; subcaudals, 45. 



Remarks. — Common in Mindanao. These snakes were usually 

 found in small trees in the forest. Their coloration makes them 

 very difficult to discern. They are deadly poisonous. 



