16 
DESCRIPTION OF 
No. XIV. 
COLUBER. 
Scuta Abdominalia 144 
Squama Subcaudales 85 
Called by the natives at Bombay, Ourdia. 
at Calcutta, Dora. 
The head oblong-ovate, somewhat thicker than the neck, and compressed towards 
the nose, the fore part covered by nine laminae. The first pair separating the nostrils 
small, pyramidal ; the next large, square, rounded behind ; the central lamina 
between the eyes long, and rather narrow, those on the side conical, convex ; the 
semicordate pair ample, with several large, smooth scales, on each side. The occiput 
covered with small orbicular scales. 
The mouth proportionably small ; there are no fangs ; the marginal row above, as 
well as all the other teeth, remarkably short. The eyes globular. The nostrils very 
small. 
The trunk swells and diminishes moderately ; but the tail tapers to a fine point. The 
scales on the neck and on part of the tail smooth ; on the back and sides ovate and 
carinated; a row of broader, smooth scales, next to the scuta. 
The length three feet seven inches ; of which the tail measures eleven inches. 
The colour of the head light chesnut ; from each orbit proceed two remarkable 
bluish-black streaks, of unequal length ; the shorter descends obliquely to the mouth 
the other creeping obliquely along the cheek and the occiput, makes a turn upward to 
be united with a spot of the same colour on the neck. The back and the sides are also 
of a bluish-black colour, with dusky-yellow patches every where interspersed. The 
belly and underpart of the tail are of a yellowish white. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
The subject described was received from Bombay. Specimens of various sizes 
have been since received from the same place, as well as from sundry other parts, but 
without the country names. They varied in colour, being more or less dark, and in 
the spots being more or less yellow or white ; but the streaks from each orbit were 
conspicuous in all of them. 
It would seem that this species is common. In the different stages of its growth, as 
well as at different places, it has obtained distinct names ; circumstances in which it is 
not singular : but the variation in colour in young and old subjects is rather more than 
usual ; for which reason I have in the following plate given the figures of two of 
smaller size. 
