928 Catalogue of Reptiles inhabiting the [Sept. 



longer than the rest, which gradually decrease. The scales of the 

 trunk, in 25 longitudinal series, are rhombic with rounded points, 

 imbricate, and all smooth except those covering the spinous processes, 

 which are faintly lineated. 



Of two individuals from the hills of Pinang, the larger, taken by Sir 

 William Norris, was of the following dimensions : 



Length of the head, ft. If inch. 



Ditto ditto trunk, 3 4 



Ditto ditto tail, 1 1 



4 ft. 6f inch. 

 Circumference of the neck 2, of the trunk 3, of the root of the tail 

 If inch. The ferocious habits of this serpent have been accurately 

 described by M. Reinwardt. It has in a remarkable degree the power 

 of laterally compressing the neck and the anterior part of the 

 body, when the greyish blue skin becomes visible between the 

 separated scales. In such state of excitement it raises nearly the 

 anterior third vertically from the ground, continues fixed during 

 several seconds with vibrating tongue, and bites. It then throws itself 

 down, to rise to a renewed attack. A similar mode of attack cha- 

 racterises the following species, viz : Dryinus nasutus, (Lacepede,) 

 (Russell, I. PI. 12 and 13,), — D. prasinus, (Reinwardt.) (Dryiophis 

 prasina apud Schlegel,) Leptophis pictus (Gmelin), and Leptophis 

 caudalineatus. 



Gen. Dryinus,* Merrem, 1820. 

 Upper jaw much longer than the lower ; muzzle attenuated, more or 

 less acute at the apex, which in some species is mucronate and move- 

 able. 



Dryinus prasinus, (Reinwardt.) 

 Syn.— Seba, II, Tab. LIII, Fig. 4. 



Coluber nasutus,f Shaw, apud Russell, II, PI. 24. 

 Dryinus nasutus, Bell, (not Merrem, 1820.) 



* In II. Boie's Genera, published in his, 1827, Dryophis, (Dahlman,) is substituted 

 for this genus. Wagler in 1830 separated some species under the denomination of Tra- 

 gops, and M. Schlegel in his " Essaif has exclusively retained Dryiophis, although 

 Prof. Thos. Bell already in 1825 had published his article on Leptophina (comprising 

 Dryinus, Merrem, and Leploph is, Bell.) 



t The specific name was previously applied by Lacepede in 1790 to the other Asiatic 

 species. 



