78 



A. NICOBAEIENSIS, StoUcska. 



Scales 17. Ventrals 189, subc. 87. Loreal confluent with 

 posterior nasal ; labials 7 (3 and 4). Similar to A. melano- 

 cephalus, but the lateral spots are smaller and more 

 numerous. 



Nicobars. 

 A. SCRIPTUS, Blyth, an aberrant specimen of A. baliodirus. 



The genus Ablabes approaches the Calamaridse in the 

 tendency of the frontal and cheek shields to fuse. Hence 

 ingenious zoologists can make out of aberrant species, new 

 genera enough to immortalize the names of all their friends- 

 I confess to a wish that the Greek lexicon were not so 

 neglected in the nomenclature of genera ; specific names are 

 quite sufficient for any amount of mutual admiration. 



CYCLOPHIS, Gunther. 

 Body slender, tail moderate or long, head rather distinct 

 from the neck. Head-shields normal, but only one nasal, 

 pierced by the nostril. Scales 15, smooth. Anal bifid. Eye 

 moderate. 



C. MAJOR, Gthr. 



Head narrow, not very distinct. Ventrals 175, subc. 78. 

 Uniform green, paler below. 



China. 

 C. FR^NATUS, Gthr. 



Head distinct from the slender neck, broad with short 

 snout. Ventrals 165, subc. 95. Olive with 3 anterior 

 dorsal black stripes, the lateral pair are zigzag ; yellowish 

 below. 



Afghanistan ; Khasi hills. 

 C. RUBRiVENTER, Jerdon. 



Ventrals 127-185, subc. 33-38. Nasal split. Two post- 

 oculars. Brown with pale lateral band from eye to tip of 

 tail ; below this a mottled brown and yellow band ; throat 

 yellow, belly red. 



