36 



Catalogue of Reptiles. 



Dr Gunther states that, both " Jerdon and Blyth agree that these bright 

 changeable colors are peculiar to the male, during the breeding season which 

 falls in the month of May and June," but does not express himself as though 

 fully prepared to admit the opinion of such competent observers His words 

 are obscure,-" the ground colour is generally a light brownish olive, but the 

 lizard can change it to bright red, to black and to a mixture of both- These 

 words imply a voluntary effort on the part of the animal which I doubt, but 

 from observations I am inclined to believe rather that the cobra vary during 

 the breeding season, (that is the bright seasonal red and black) under the 

 involuntary stimulus of fear, anger or passion Gunther makes no mention 

 of the two black occipital specks, rarely absent m this species, or ol the 

 white band running from the ear down each side which so commonly 

 marks the females. In Bengal or Pegu, I have myself never remarked the 

 brilliant seasonal red of the male extending even to the loins In Pegu 1 

 have noticed this vivid coloration in early spring. My largest Burmese male 

 measured 3.75 + 11.00 = 1475. Gunther gives 16 inches as the length 

 of Ceylon specimens, but such dimensions are rare on the continent. 



69. C. MYSTACETJS, D. et B. 



a. two adults. Ceylon. E. L. Layard, Esq. 



o. one adult. Mergui. W. Theobald, Esq., Jnr. 



I can by no means understand Dr. Gunther's description of G.mystaceus, 

 unless on the supposition that he has confounded two species, as his measure- 

 ments far exceed anything I ever saw and are very -disproportionate, 19 

 inches of tail to 5 inches of body in an old male. My largest male (and the 

 «mppies is common in Pegu where it is called " the Chameleon by 

 aS^)^S™. bod/425, tail 6.00 = 1025. My largest femae 

 3 90 X 7 90 = 11.80. Specimens occur a little longer, but these are iully 

 up to the average of adults. I will add a description of the color from life, 

 the tints being very variable. Color dark brown, often ruddy vinous with a 

 conspicuous white band from the nostrils to behind the shoulder ; and some- 

 times to the base of the tail. Sometimes only a few dead white spots on 

 body or white or yellow blotches on the shoulders. Seasonably, (spring and 

 rains) the male assumes a gorgeous hue, the gofer sack and even the entire 

 fore part of body, becoming a bright deep blue In spirit the blue fades to 

 green in a few hours, and eventually all the colours, save the rusty shoulder 

 blotches and white side streak, which is generally well defined, disappear. 



70. C. Emma, Gray. 



a. four adults and 2 



youn| 



Mergui. 



W. Theobald, 

 Esq., Junr. 



I. several fine adults and 



' young. Martaban. Major Berdmore, 



71. C. Oprtomachus, Men*. 



a. many specimens. Ceylon. E. L. Layard, 



Esq. and Dr. 

 Kelaart. 

 Nicobars. Capt. Lewis. 



S. India or 

 Ceylon (?) 



o. adult. 

 c. adult var. 



