1 8 70. J Indian and Malayan Amphibia and Reptilia. 185 



squarish ; postoculars two, small ; seven upper labials, the third and 

 fourth enter the orbit, the last is the largest ; temporals 1 + 2 -f 

 yiy on the left, 1 +• yJ-y on the right side. As usually in this sec- 

 tion of Ahlabes the upper parts of the upper labials are apt to be 

 detached from the larger body of the shields, and form additional 

 temporals ; the first pair of lower labials forms a suture, and is fol- 

 lowed by two pairs of sub equal chin shields. Each maxillary 

 armed with 14 small subequal teeth. 



Anterior half of the body reddish brown above, posterior blackish 

 grey. Head above blackish, the three first labials with yellow spots, 

 a short broad yellow streak extends from behind and below the eye 

 posteriorly to the angle of the mouth ; collar black, margined on both 

 sides with an interrupted yellow band, of which the anterior is the 

 more distinct one ; an indistinct series of blackish grey dorsal spots, 

 almost forming a dark undulating band ; sides of the body marbled 

 and freckled blackish grey, this colour being separated from the 

 upper brown one by a series of closely set black spots which are 

 partially conspicuous on the posterior part of the body ; chin dusky ; 

 all the other parts yellow with a vermilion tinge, each ventral with 

 a large black spot near its base. 



This peculiar form has quite the general character of coloration 

 of Ablabes melanocephalus, but the spots on the sides of the dorsal 

 region are more numerous and closer together ; in the number of 

 labials it on the other hand agrees with Ahlabes Sagittarius. The 

 position of the united loreals is very peculiar, and perhaps not nor- 

 mal, but it is almost quite similar on both sides of the head, which 

 externally strongly reminds of a Callophis. 



I have obtained only a single specimen at the Nancowry haven 

 on Camorta (Nicobars) j it measures 17^ inches of which the tail is 

 4 1 inches. 



41. Ptyas muco8U8, L. (G iinth. 1. cit. p. 249). 



This species is not uncommon on the Andamans. Young speci- 

 mens have the scales quite smooth, each with two minute apical 

 grooves ; colour above pale brown finely reticulated with dark lines 

 and narrow whitish cross bands ; below uniform whitish. 



An old specimen about 60 inches long, is uniform brown above, 



