42 



THE POISONOUS SNAKES OF INDIA. 



middle of the body, and both these characters will usually be de- 

 tected even in a badly mutilated specimen. The frontal shield 

 along a line connecting the centres of the eyes is subequal to the 

 breadth of the supraoculars. The supraoculars are from three- 

 fourths to four-fifths the length of the parietals. Ventrals 116 to 

 131. Subcaudals 24 to 37. The boss on the snout is much higher 

 than in the next species, and is covered with smaller and more 

 numerous scales (8 to 12). 



P'raj'^ 



B 



Fig. 25. — Ancistrodon hypnale ( X3;. 



Distribution. — The Hills of Ceylon. It occurs at altitudes vary- 

 ing from 3,000 to 6,000 feet and is not uncommon in many parts. 

 It is -a very common snake in some of the hilly districts in Ceylon 

 (Hakgalla). 



