48 
REPTILIA. 
vertebrae ; they become broader towards the abdomen, on the scuta 
of which they extend a short way, tei*minating in broad rounded 
ends ; the abdominal scuta are dull brownish green : ecme of these 
scuta just below the head are yellow, margined with black; the 
labial plates are also yellow, transversely banded with black, in a 
vandyk pattern. 
Hows of scales, 21. 
Abdominal scuta, 236. 
Subcaudal scuta, 61. 
Lenofth from muzzle to vent, 4 feet 5 inches ) - i . , 
.r of toil, 8i inches J- o feet moh. 
This specimen was obtained in Labuan, and was knocked 
dowm from the branches of a tree overhanging the sea-beach, 
among which it was colled. 
Dipaas fusca. ' ^ 
Colour — above ; light brown, mottled and speckled with black or 
deep brown ; these markings are for the most part arranged so as to 
form indistinct transverse nb-like bands along each side ; below 
— buff, speckled with deep browu; a series of patches of the same 
colour occurs along each side of the abdominal scuta, very distinct 
towards the head, but indistinct towards the tail ; the upper surface 
of the head is brown, richly marked with ocellated spots of different 
shades of the same colour ; labial plates ochre yellow, the upper ones 
transversely marked with deep brown or black. 
Body, elongated and much compressed at the sides, so as to be al- 
most riband-shaped ; tail long, rounded, slender, and tapering ; the 
transition from the compressed form of the body to the rounded tail 
is very sudden and marked ; eyes large, circular, prominent ; nostrils 
large, open in front. 
Kows of scales, 21. 
Abdominal scuta, 240. 
Subcaudal scuta, 140. 
Length of muzzle to vent, 2 feet 6 inches 1 o r a. ^ ^ 
„ of tail, 10 inches | 3 feet 4 inches. 
Found in Labuan, where it was killed in the jungle. It 
somewhat resembles the description given of Dipsas inonticola 
by Dr. Cantor, but differs in some respects, especially in the 
number of abdominal and subcaudal scuta. We have not, 
how^ever, had an opportunity of inspecting the D. raonticola, 
nor have we been able to find any other description of a simi- 
lar serpent. We have, therefore, given the present species 
the provisional name of Dipsas fusca. 
