184/.] Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 1047 



This species is readily identified by the abdominal scnta, and the 

 scutellated very broad tail. The anterior frontals are separated by a 

 small elongated pentagonal, or rhombic, shield, bordered behind by 

 the vertical, which is proportionally the largest shield, either equal- 

 ling or exceeding each of the occipitals. The eyes are compara- 

 tively large and prominent, surrounded by two post-orbitals, one 

 prse-orbital, and beneath, by the third and fourth of the seven large 

 upper labials. The lower jaw is covered in front by the rostral 

 and the two first labials, the succeeding seven are elongated linear 

 and placed horizontally so as to be hid by the upper labials, when 

 the mouth is closed. The chin is covered by two pairs of pen- 

 tagonal shields, between which and the labials appear two or three 

 series of elongated scales. The neck is covered by 25, the anterior 

 part of the trunk by 23, increasing to 25 and again decreasing to 1 9 

 longitudinal series of large, smooth scales. The nostrils are small, 

 opening laterally. The tail, though much compressed, presents a broad 

 flat surface beneath, till near the apex, where it becomes two-edged. 

 The largest individual examined was of the following dimensions : 



Length of the head, ft. 1 inch. 



Ditto ditto trunk, 3 2 



Ditto ditto tail, 5f 



3 ft. 8f inch. 

 Circumference of the neck, 1|-, greatest do of the trunk, 4 inch. 



Gen. Hydrtjs, Schneider. 

 Body slender in front, gradually thickening, covered with scales ; tail 

 compressed, two-edged. 



Hydrtjs striatus, (Lacepede.) 



Syn.* — Leioselasma striata, Lacepede, 1804. 



Hydrophis striata, Temminck and Schlegel: Fauna Japon. PI. 7« 



Hydrophis striata, Schlegel : Essay, 1837. 



Hydrophis striata, Schlegel, apud Cantor,Tr. Zool. Soc. London, Vol. II. 



• 



* Doubtful Synonymy.— J? ussell, II. PL 9, Chithd, 1801, agrees with this species in 

 the following- characters : the eyes high, small, orbicular ; the trunk round till near the 

 anus, where it becomes compressed ; the scales smooth, imbricate, orbicular on the sides ; 

 the central abdominal series much larger than in any of the other species, (Russell.) 

 The difference of colours is unimportant, as it is liable to variations, not only individual- 

 ly but according to age. Besides, all the species acquire a light bluish appearance about 



