574; JAVAN" ACROCHORDUS. 



cated, depressed, and scaly : the jaAVs equal, the 

 superior being emarginated beneath ; the inferior 

 curved : the eyes lateral, on the fore part of the 

 head ; the irides livid : the nostrils circular, small, 

 approximated, and situated above the tip of the 

 snout : the rictus or gape rather small for the size 

 of the body : the teeth in both jaws subulate, very 

 sharp, and reversed, without any appearance of 

 fangs, and accompanied by a double row of very 

 small teeth in the palate : the tongue thick at the 

 base, the forked part black and slender : the body 

 entirely covered, as well as the tail, with rough 

 tricarinated warts : the vent small, the body very 

 suddenly tapering towards the tail. This snake 

 was secured by a Chinese, by means of a split 

 bamboo applied over its neck, and thus carried to • 

 Batavia, where, on being skinned and opened, 

 exclusive of a quantity of indigested fruit, were 

 found five completely formed young, measuring 

 nine inches each : the flesh of the animal was eaten 

 by the Chinese people, who affirmed that it was 

 excellent food, and the skin, being preserved in 

 spirits, was brought over to Europe by Mr. Horn- 

 sted, and deposited in the Museum of the King 

 of Sweden. 



