S64^ SPIRAL HYDRUS. 



mined, observed a large curved fang-like tooth 

 on each side, hid, as it were, in a sheath. This 

 serpent is a native of the Indian seas : the speci- 

 men described by Dr. Russel was found on the sea 

 beach at Vizagapatam, in August 1788, and ap- 

 peared very alert in its motions ; yet, when put 

 into a vessel of sea water, in order to be kept for 

 experiments relative to its bite, it very soon died. 



SPIRAL HYDRUS. 



Hydrus Spiralis. H. jftavescens fusco fasciatus, fasciis subfus in 

 longitudinem confluentibns, corpore spiraliter contorto. 



Yellowish Hydrus with brown bands, longitudinally confluent 

 beneath, and spirally contorted body. 



The present highly elegant species appears to 

 have been hitherto unnoticed : its length is about 

 two feet, and its habit slender : the body much 

 compressed throughout; the back rising into a 

 very sharp carina; the abdomen being also ca- 

 rinated, but having a flattened edge of scales 

 isomewhat wider than the rest, and measuring 

 about the fifteenth of an inch in diameter: the 

 head is small, and covered with large scales : the 

 mouth wide ; the scales on the whole animal mo- 

 derately small, ovate, and slightly carinated : the 

 ground colour is yellow, barred in a beautiful 

 manner from head to tail with deep chesnut- 

 brown or blackish fascia?, each widening on the 

 abdomen, and thus forming a highly distinct and 

 handsome pattern when viewed on each side. 



