A MONOGRAPH OF THE SEA-SNAKES ( HYUROPIIJINM). 



229 



Fig. 43.— Distira {Hydrophis) biluberculata. After Peters. Moh. Bey/. Acad., pi. ii, fig 2. 



This form is only known from a single example which is preserved in the Berlin 

 Museum. As already observed by Mr. Boulenger its affinities are extremely close to 

 lapemoides, and I am dubious whether it has sufficient claim to be considered distinct 

 from this or cyanocincta, uniting as it does the characters of each. The difference in 

 the number of rows anteriorly and in midbody is remarkable, viz. 19, a disparity 

 beyond that seen in any other species of approximately similar corporeal habit. The 

 greatest difference I have met with in lapemoides is in Fayrer's specimen from Puri 

 now in the British Museum, and in this it amounts to 16. In the other specimens I 

 have seen it ranges between 9 to 11. The single large anterior temporal is probably 

 abnormal, as seen in certain specimens of cyanocincta , and other species in which these 

 shields are normally small. 



Xot having examined the specimen I prefer to leave it as placed by Peters and 

 Boulenger. 



Description. — Rostral, — the portion visible above about two-thirds the 

 internasal suture. Prefrontals, — touch no. supralabial. Postoculars, — two. 

 Temporals, — one large anterior shield, followed by another subequal shield. 

 S up ralabials,— seven, the anterior five well-developed, the third and fourth touch- 

 ing the eye Infralabials , — four, the last touching three or four scales behind ; the 

 suture between the first subequal to that between the anterior sublinguals. Mar- 

 ginals, — one after the third infralabial. Sublinguals, — two well-developed pairs, 

 the fellows of the posterior pair separated. Costals, — anteriorly 28, n midbody 47 ; 

 imbricate posteriorly. Ventrals, — 278, about twice as broad as the last costal row. 

 Colour, — dorsally dark brown, ventrally yellowish. 



Habitat. — Ceylon . 



Distira torquata (Giinther). 



Hydrophis torquatus, Giinther , Rept. Brit. Ind. y 1864, P- 369, pi. xxv, fig. H. 



„ ,, Boulgr. in Blanford, Fauna Brit. Ind. Rept. and Batrach., 



1890, p. 402. 

 ,, ,, Boulgr., Cat. Brit. Mus., 1896, iii, p. 283. 



