206 Indian and Malayan Amphibia and Rcptilia. [No. 2, 



three loreals, two smaller superseding a long lower one ; three ante- 

 oculars, one large superseding two small ones, a single labial below 

 the orbit. The five first upper labials are deeply pitted on either 

 side, and of the lower labials the 9th — 13th are pitted. Coloration 

 typical, as in Malayan specimens. 



Fam. HoMALorsnu:. 



64. Hypsirhina phunbea, Boie, (Guntlie r, 1. cit. p. 280). 

 A specimen from the Irravadi river near Mandaley measures 17 



inches, the head being j\ inch., and the tail 2} inches; ventrals 122 

 of which the last two are bifid, subcaudals 33 ; the anterior frontal 

 is fully two-thirds the width of both the posterior, occipitals obtusely 

 pointed behind ; each anterior chin-shield fully one-third longer than 

 one posterior. Colour above and on the front of the chin slightly 

 extending backward, leaden grey, below albescent yellowish with a 

 median brownish line on the lower part of the body extending to 

 the subcaudals, where it is as usually most distinct. Other 

 specimens from Moulmein don't differ from G ii n t h e r ' s and 

 Theobald's account of the snake. 



65. Cerberus rJiynchops, S c h n e i d. (G ii n t h., 1. cit. p, 279). 

 This is a very common species about Amherst, occurring in 



brackish and in pure sea water together with Hipistes hydrinus ; but 

 unlike this last, it goes far inland, and haunts with equal ferocity 

 after fish &c, in fresh water pools, &c. One half grown speci- 

 men from Amherst, measured 27 inches, the tail being 4 6 inches, 

 it has has only 144 ventrals, but 64 subcaudals. Scales always in 25 

 rows. The largest specimens measures 50 inches. All specimens are 

 above greenish gre} r , when young with numerous blackish cross 

 bands above, and, below, sometimes almost wholly black with only a 

 few whitish or pale blotches ; with age the upper cross bands become 

 less distinct, being partially broken up into spots, until they dis- 

 appear ; a black strip begins on either side at the snout, passes 

 through the eye, touches the angle of the mouth and disappears on 

 the posterior part of the neck ; upper labials and sides of head pale. 

 The number of upper labials sometimes rises as high as 12 ; the 

 last five being small and corresponding to only three superimposed 



