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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XI. 



snakes, with round pupils and no fang-like teeth. Tree- 

 snakes. No. 17 is a transitional form between this family and 

 the Colubridce. 



Acrochordidce, No. 34, — Wart-snakes, instantly recogni- 

 sable. Forms so peculiar that they may be placed almost 

 anywhere. Most nearly allied perhaps to the sea-snakes. 

 Boulenger's Acrochordince. 



Dipsadidce. Nos. 35 and 36. — Very elongate, compressed 

 snakes, with short triangular heads. They are tree-snakes, 

 generally with viperine heads, and are probably more or less 

 poisonous. 



Dryophidce, Nos. 37 and 38. — The well-known whip- 

 snakes ; body excessively slender, with long heads and 

 tapering snouts ; pupil horizontal. 



Chrysopelidce, No. 39. —For G. ornata, placed by Gunther 

 with Dendrophis, to which it is most closely allied, see section 

 " Teeth." This is a case of imitative resemblance, in which 

 one of the Ophisthoglypha series imitates one of the Aglypha. 



Homalopsidce, Nos. 40 and 41. — The same as Dr. Boulen- 

 ger's Homalopsince* They have their nostrils on the top of 

 the snout. 



Elapidce, Nos. 42 to 45. — The same as Dr. Boulenger's 

 Elapince. Includes the cobra and its allies. Theloreal shield 

 is always absent ; the venom fang is grooved along its front. 



Hydrophidce, Nos. 46 to 56. — Sea-snakes with oar-shaped 

 tails. It is curious that not one of the three common and 

 widely spread species of Platurus included in this family 

 has yet been recorded from Ceylon. They are not true sea- 

 snakes, but simply cobras modified for an aquatic life, and 

 are found sometimes a long way from the water. 



The Viper idee and their sub-divisions agree with Dr. 

 Gunther's classification : — 



a Snakes with a long perforated erectile fang on the maxil- 

 lary, which is extremely short ; without other teeth. 

 a 1 Loreal region flat, without pit. Viperidce. 

 a 2 Loreal region with a pit between eye and nostril. 

 Crotalidce. 



