HYDROPHIDA. 
69 
The abdominal scuta in this species is generally not well 
marked ; all have an eel-like appearance. 
The Platurus seems to bea transitional link between 
aquatic and land snakes, and it has disproportionately large 
The eyes are exceedingly small, and have 
circular pupils, which latter covering the eye makes them al- 
most blind when taken out of the water. The head shields are 
peculiar, and differ from those of land snakes. Nasals large ; 
nostrils on the edge of rostrum; anterior frontals wanting ; a 
single pair of frontals; one vertical; two supraciliaries ; two 
occipitals ; one ocular; one or two post-oculars ; loreals none; 
abdominal scuta. 
labials irregularly arranged and divided. 
This genus has seven species, which occur in India, &e., viz. : 
No. 1. Hydr. platurus. 
2. 
PE Se ore ce 
(74 
ce 
66 
aipysurus, 4 
disteira. 2 
acalyptus. 5 
hydrophis. 33 
enhydrina. 2 
2 varieties. 
“ 
“ 
pelamis. 1 variety. 
Total, 49 varieties. 
Nos. 1, 5, 6, and 7 occur in the Indian Ocean. 
First Spectes—PLATURUS. 
Giinther gives two varieties : 
No. 1. Hydrophis platurus scutatus. 
. Fischerii. 
2. 
cc 
In this species the tail is not prehensile; body subcylindrical ; scales 
imbricate, smooth, in from 19 to 25 series; subcaudal squame bifid; 
head shields regularly disposed ; poison-fang short, and has sometimes a 
single large tooth behind it. 
