85 



smaller size, more pronounced ocellate cross-bars (connected 

 by curved ventral lines) and having only 25 rows of scales. 

 The throat streaks have a white interval, and between the 

 two pairs is a black cj mark. 

 Malabar and AnamuUays. 



This beautiful genus is closely allied to GompsosoTna ; it 

 belongs to South India, the later being a Malayan genus. 



PTYAS, Fitzinger. 



Body elongate, somewhat compressed ; tail one-fifth to 

 one-third; head distinct from neck. Eye moderate or large, 

 well sheltered by supraciliaries. Head-shields regular ; two 

 preoculars, the upper reaching to the crown ; two or three 

 loreals, 2 nasals. Scales 15-17, smooth or slightly keeled. 

 Anal bifid. Maxillary teeth about 12, increasing. Of large 

 size. 

 P. Mucosas, L. The (stout) dha/man* Plate XII, fig. 1. 



Scales 17, the middle rows keeled towards the tail ; 

 ventrals 1,96-208, subc. 108-134. Head rather short and 

 broad ; 3 loreals, more rarely two ; aU shields, especially the 



8 labials, with black margins. Brownisii or yellowish olive, 

 with interstitial skin-colouring of yellow and black ; scales 

 with black tips forming a fasciolation posteriorly and often 

 a reticulated pattern on the tail ; belly greenish or yellowish 

 white. It is very common in India, less so in Burma. It 

 is fierce and intractable. My largest specimen was 7| feet 

 (tail 2 feet) girth 5 J inches ; but I have a cast skin, found 

 by Lieutenant Kensington, R. E., at Kolar, which measures 



9 feet 1 inch. 



When young this snake often has a delicate green colour, 

 unlike the adult. 



P. KOBROS, Reimc. The slender dhdman* Plate XII, fig. 2. 

 Scales 15, smooth, with apical grooves ; ventrals 176-184, 



* For Indian synonyms, see Part III. 



