575 



DOUBTFUL ACROCHORDUS. 



Acrochordus Dubius. A. fitscus, abdomine carinato, lateribus 

 nigro-maculatis. 



Brown Acrochordus, with carinated abdomen, and sides spot- 

 ted with black. 



In" its general appearance and proportion so 

 very nearly does the present serpent resemble the 

 preceding or Javan species, that one description 

 might almost serve for both, except that the head 

 in this is covered with very minute rough or warted 

 scales, differing in size alone from those on other 

 parts of the animal, whereas, if we may rely on 

 the accuracy of Mr. Hornsted's description and 

 figure of the Javan Acrochordus, that part is 

 covered with flat, ovate scales, and of a far dif- 

 ferent appearance from the mm'icated or wart- 

 like scales on every other part. The size of the 

 present specimen also falls much short of the for- 

 mer, measuring only about three feet in length, 

 its colour is an obscure brown, with some ill* 

 defined clouds and patches of a darker colour dis- 

 persed along the sides and abdomen : the shape of 

 the vent, thickness of body, and sudden contrac- 

 tion at the beginning of the tail, as well as the 

 comparative size and shape of that part are ex- 

 actly similar : the abdomen, however, in this ser- 

 pent is slightly carinated beneath towards the tail, 

 which is a circumstance not particularized in Mr* 



