113 



This extensive genus comprises by far the greater number 

 of the sea-snakes met with. The range of these animals 

 being unlimited by the circumstances which confine land- 

 snakes to particular localities, it may fairly be said that 

 every sea-snake of the Indian and Pacific oceans may be 

 found on the East Indian coasts ; therefore these individuals 

 not actually found on these coasts are still included in the 

 East Indian fauna. I may here mention that 6 to 7 feet is 

 the adult size of the largest of the species at present known. 

 Theii; colour is generally buff or dirty white, with black or 

 dull sea-blue cross-bands. One species is represented in 

 Plate X. 



Their classification is by no means complete and any 

 description of them can hardly be satisfactory. I recommend 

 persons desiring to study them (and they ofier a fine field 

 for study) to refer to the detailed description in Giinther's 

 Reptiles of India ; here I shall content myself with quoting 

 his synopsis of the species : 



1. Scales more or less distinctly imbricate. 



A Scales large, in not more than 17 longitudinal series 

 round the neck : Kerilia, Grray. 



Head short ... ... ... ... ... H. jerdonH. 



B Scales onuch imbricate, rather small, in 43 to 47 series 



round the neck ; ventral shields spUt into two : 



Hydrus, (Shaw), Gray. 



Body stout ... ... ... . ; . ■■■ S. kokesU. 



C Scales in 23 to 38 series round the neck ; head not very 



small; anterior part of the body (neck) not, or moderately 



slender : Hydrophis, (Baud.), Gthr. 



Head rather short and broad, neck and body 

 of moderate length One postocular. Belly 

 with only a few ventral shields. s. major. 



15' 



