FIEST SUB-ORDER. 47 



most beautifulljf iridescent, beneath wliite ; but the blue fades to 

 brown after long immersion in spirits. Young examjoles have a 

 white collar. Mr. W. Theobald remarks of it that " this Snake 

 is common in Lower Pegu and the Tenasserim provinces, and is 

 "v'ery malignlj^ beautiful, though of repxilsive physiognomy. The 

 skin is loose and thick, and its habits are nocturnal. The following 

 illustrates its ferocious nature : — I once remarked a Colubrine 

 Snake [Ptyas mucosa), some five feet in length, in the hedge of the 

 Circuit-house of Bassein. On running downstairs, the Snake had 

 vanished, but on searching for it I saw its tail sticking out of a 

 hole beneath a wooden plant-case. Do what I might I cou.ld not 

 drag it out, as it seemed held fast within. I therefore, with some 

 trouble, overturned the plant-case, and then saw that the unlucky 

 Colubrine Snake was fiimh' pinned by a large Xenopcltis, into 

 whose liole it had unwittingljr entered. The Xenopeltis seemed 

 about four feet in length ; but, on perceiving itself uncovered, 

 released its hold of the Ptyaa and made its escape." The Xenopeltis 

 prej's chiefly on small mammalia, which it hinits for in their subter- 

 ranean holes ; and in some respects it approximates the PtjthoniddB. 



The Uropeltiilee, or Shield-tails, constitute a very curious family 

 of Burrowing Snakes, which bear considerable resemblance to the 

 Typlileypidce, but have a very peculiar, short, strong, posteriorly 

 shielded tail, adapted for working their way below the surface. 

 The species are mostly small, and hitherto they have been found 

 chiefly in Ceylon, but a few also in the peninsula of India. They 

 are by no means scarce, but escajje observation fi'om their peculiar 

 mode of life. Dr. Kelaart remarks that " they are timid creatures, 

 seldom making their appearance above ground ; living chiefly in 

 anthills or dunghills, sometimes also several feet deep in rich 

 loamy soil. They feed on ants, small earth-worms, and the larva3 

 of insects, and at least one species has been ascertained to be vivi- 

 parous. Five genera and eighteen species of them are recognised. 



The Ccdamaridce form an extensive family of diminutive slender 

 Snakes, from one to two feet in length, many siaecies of which 

 inhabit both the Old World and the New, though the same kinds 

 are not found both East and West. They keep to the ground, 

 beneath stones, fallen trees, &c. ; and their food ajDpears to 

 consist chiefly of insects. They are gentle, and never attempt 



