1 08 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [April, 



81 * Trim. COnvictUS, n. sp. Penang. 



Like T. mouticola, Gr ii u t h., but with much larger scales which are 

 disposed in 21 series ; vent. 132, subcaudals 29. 



82. Ilalys IlimalaijfUius, Gr iinth. — N. W. Himalaya. 



83. Dakota JRusselli, S h a w, — N. W. Himalaya. 



Ciielonia. 



84. Emys crassiollis, Bel 1, — Penang. 



Dr. Stoliczka gave a short sketch of the relations existing 

 between the Andaman and Nicobar Reptilian fauna and that of 

 Burnia on the one and of Java, Sumatra and the Philippine islands 

 on the other hand. All these islands, he said, &c, have many species 

 common. He also specially noticed the very great number of Viperine 

 snakes (Trimeresurus) which are to be met with at the Nicobars, but 

 fortunately these species appear to be less dangerous than continen- 

 tal forms usually are. The Nicobarese say that not a single fatal case 

 results from the bite of these Trimeresurus, and certainly all the 

 specimens examined had a comparatively small poison-gland. The 

 result of the bite is said to be only a swelling of the wounded part^ 

 Dr. S t. also exhibited a specimen of the rare CallopMs intestinalis 

 obtained from Upper Burma. The species has the poison-glands 

 extending from the head to about J- of the total length of the body, 

 lying free in the cavity of the anterior part and causing the heart to 

 be much further removed backward, than is generally the case in 

 other species of snakes. 



The President thought there were one or two remarkable features 

 in Dr. Stoliczka's interesting paper. — One to which he particu- 

 larly referred was the relative inefficiency of the poison in certain 

 snakes of Penang and the Nicobars hi comparison with the poison of 

 the cognate species found in this country. Ho did not know whether 

 the circumstances which rendered the possession of an invariably 

 fatal weapon necessary to particular classes of snakes in the struggle 

 for life, while others could maintain themselves without it, had 

 yet received much attention. A priori, he thought one would be dis- 

 posed to expect that a poison which would disable without causing im- 

 mediate death, would be more deterrent in its effects, and, therefore, 

 more widely useful to its possessor than one which killed instantly. 



