MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 
1141 
No. XXVI.— NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF SNAKES FROM 
SHEMBAGANUR, PALNI HILLS. 
(Circa 6,500 feet). " 
I am indebted to the Revd. L. Anglade, S. H. College, Shembaganur, for the 
privilege of examining a small collection of snakes collected locally, some of 
which are specially interesting. 
Family — Uropeltidae. 
Silybura pulneyensis, Beddome. 
One typical but rather shrivelled 5 . Ventrals 182 ? Subcaudals 8 ? I notice 
in this species the tip of the tail is invariably white, as it is in maculata and 
some others. 
Silybura nigra, Beddome. 
This would appear to be the commonest species in the Palni HiUs. Five speci- 
mens in all were included. 2 Ventrals 179. Subcaudals 7. $ 324 mm. (12J 
inches) long. Ventrals 185. Subcaudals 6 on the right side, 7 on the left. 2 
Ventrals 178. Subcaudals 7. 2 Ventrals 178. Subcaudals 6 on the left side, 
7 on the right. 2 237 mm. (9J inches). Ventrals 176. Subcaudals 5 on the 
right side, 6 on the left. This proved to be gravid, and contained four eggs in 
the oviducts, measuring 21x8 mm. These contained small embryos about 
25 mm. long (1 inch). The size of the eggs, and the condition of the embryos 
lead me to think that this species is ovoviparous. Unfortunately the date 
of capture is not on record. The tip of the tail in all is black. 
Platyplectrurus madurensis, Beddome. 
Four specimens of this httle known species were received. 2 260 mm. (lOJ 
inches). Ventrals 171. Subcaudals 11. This contained two eggs 25x6 mm. 
long, with small embryos about 25 mm. long within. 2 311 mm. (12|^ inches). 
Ventrals 171. Subcaudals 12. This was captured on the 1st of April 1907, 
having just laid five eggs. The eggs measure 25 to 28 mm. X 10 mm., and con- 
tain small embryos about 25 mm. in length. The eyes in the embryos are con- 
spicuous. The heart and neighbouring viscera are still extra-abdominal. 2 • 
Ventrals 175. Subcaudals 10. c? U7 mm. (4| inches.) Ventrals 168 ? 
Subcaudals 15. This appears to be a hatchling. There is no record of the date 
of capture. 
Family — Colubridae. 
Amphiesma stolata, (Linne). 
One quite tjq)ical. 
Xylophis perroteti. 
Two examples. 
Oligodon venustus, Jerdon. 
One 2 specimen. Ventrals 161. Subcaudals 31. 
Chrysopelea ornafa (Shaw). 
A young specimen 317 mm. (12^ inches), appears to be a hatchhng. Date of 
capture not on record. 
F. WALL, 
Lieut-Col., I.M.S. 
Bangalore, 
November 1920. 
