529 



LINEATED SNAKE. 



Coluber Lineatus. C. mruleo-mrescens, lineis trihus 'oel quinqtie 



fuscisj intermedia latiore, 

 Blueish-green Snake, with three or five brown linear stripes, of 



which the middle one is broadest. 

 Coluber lineatus. Lin. St/st. Nat. p. 3S2. Mus. Ad. Trid. p. 



30. t. 12. f. 1. and t. 20. f. 1. 

 Serpens Ceilonica lineis subfuscis. Seb. 2. t. 12. f. 3. 

 Abdominal scuta subcaudal scales 84. 



This is a highly elegant species, but differs 

 considerably in appearance, according to the dif- 

 ferent periods of its growth : its general colour is 

 a pale and somewhat gilded blueish green above, 

 marked throughout the whole length by five lon- 

 gitudinal narrow bands or stripes, of which the 

 middle one is considerably broader than the others, 

 and of a deep dusky green, with black edges and 

 specks : on each side, at some distance, is a rather 

 narrower stripe of similar colour, and beneath this 

 on each side is a black line. In the small or 

 younger specimens there are rarely more than 

 three stripes ; the appearance of the lower or nar- 

 row linear side-stripe being scarce apparent : the 

 habit of the animal is long and slender or flagelli- 

 form, with a small head, a long, thin tail, and a 

 flattish abdomen : the stripes on the head are con- 

 tinued to the tip of the snout, which is obtuse. It 

 is a native of several parts of India, and is com- 

 monly about two or three feet in length. It is a 

 perFectly innoxious species. 



