50 



P. EETICULATUS, Schneider. The Malayan Python. Plate 



VIII, fig. 3. 



Scales about 75. Ventrals 300-330, subc. 82-102. Two 

 or three pairs of shields intercalated between the vertical 

 and posterior frontals. Labials about 15 (7)* first 4 pitted. 

 Brown with an irregular vertebral chain of black rings, from 

 each of which depends a black bar enclosing a white ocellus. 

 A thin black line prolonged along the median line of the 

 head ; "postorbital streak. Grows to 10 feet and upwards ; 

 probably 20 feet is the maximum ; tail one-eighth. 

 Burma, Straits. 



P. MOLURUS, i. The Indian Python. Plate .VIII, figs. 1& 2. 

 Scales about 65. Ventrals 242-262, subc. 60-72. Inter- 

 calated crown shields. Labials about 12, first 2 pitted.. A 

 subocular sometimes present. The pattern consists of three 

 rows of quadrangular brown spots (one median), separated 

 by narrow buff lines ; or it may be considered as brown with 

 longitudinal dorsal butt' stripes, and irregular transverse 

 bands above and below. A brown spot formed by a buff or 

 yellow s» offset of the reticulations occupies the head. Size 

 about the same as the preceding. 

 India, Burma. 



Note. — I think that the exaggeration of travellers as to the length 

 of these snakes arises from the disproportionate thickness of adult 

 specimens. When in Rangoon I kept a Python molurus which in the 

 middle was fully as thick as a stout man's arm ; and a person deriv- 

 ing his ideas of proportion from large ColubridaB would naturally 

 suppose, on seeing a snake of this thickness either coiled up or moving 

 through the jungle, that it must be at least 20 feet long ; yet it was 

 in reality only 9 feet long, very little longer than a dhaman of an inch 

 and a half in diameter. The capacity of these creatures' jaws is also 

 exaggerated. The above-mentioned individual had a throat only 

 wide enough to take in a fish of about 8 inches long ; so that it is 

 probable that his prey when at liberty consisted rather of rats and 

 birds than of goats or deer. 



* (1) means that the seventh labial enters the orbit. 



