74 OPHIDIANS. 
Pelamis.—The most common species of sea-snakes. Habi- 
tat, the Bay of Bengal, where it is called Kullundur. The 
only variety given is— 
Pelamis platurus, Linn. 
ee bicolor, Daud, Giinther. 
Hydrus bicolor, Schneider. 
Hydrophis variegata, Schlegel. 
Hf pelamis, 
Pelamis ornata, Gray. 
Habitat, Pooree. 
Length 123/”. Head flat, with a long spatula-shaped rostrum. Neck 
stout; nasal shields contiguous, pierced by the nostrils in their posterior 
edge; one pair of frontals; abdominal scuta 378 to 440; scales in 45 to 
51 series. Color variable. 
Giinther describes four varieties : 
First Variety.—Color black above, sides and belly uniform brownish 
olive; tail with black spots. Second Variety.—Back black, belly and 
sides brown, separated by a black and yellow band, large spots posteri- 
orly. Third Variety.—The black color on the back becomes narrow and 
sinuous behind the middle of the body; posteriorly a dorsal series of 
rhombic confluent spots, sides and belly with an irregular series of 
rounded black or brown spots. Fourth Variety.—Yellow, with about 
fifty brown, black-edged cross-bands extending to the belly, which is 
crossed by narrow, vertical, brownish-black streaks, alternating with 
the dorsal bands, some of which are confluent, forming a zigzag band; 
head yellow variegated with black. 
. 
OPHIDIA VIPERIFORMES. 
This suborder has two genera, viz.: 
No. 1. Crotalide, and No. 2. Viperide. 
