INDIAN SERPENTS. 
2,5 
the margins perforated by the nostrils; the next pair similar in form, but rather smaller ; 
the middlemost of the three laminae between the eyes, bell-shape, the others conical; the 
posterior pair, semi-cordate. 
The mouth beneath, wide, the upper jaw projecting beyond the lower. The teeth numerous, 
small, reflex; two palatal rows, and one marginal, in the upper jaw. 
The eyes distant, orbicular: the nostrils also distant, small, on the margins of the laminae. 
The trunk round : the scales smooth, ovate, imbricate; the neck about as thick as a goose- 
quill ; the body nearly equal, (tapering only a little near the tail,) hardly exceeds the size of 
a swan-quill. The whole measures fourteen inches; the tail only one inch and a half, 
round, very small, and sharp pointed. 
Between the eyes are two bent, black bands, and a third divides the semi-cordate laminae of 
the head. The predominant colour of the trunk is a light chestnut; but the trunk, as well as 
the tail, are elegantly variegated. From the head to the end of the tail runs a yellowish, 
white, dotted, fillet; parallel to which, on each side, are two broader fillets, the one of a 
grey, or ash-colour, the other a bay; between the grey fdlets are a number of transverse 
bands, formed of small, distinct, oblique, black lines. The scuta are of a dull pearl-colour. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
This snake was found at Vizagapatam, in the month of April. It is not common, and 
appears to be perfectly harmless. Upon repeated trials, it could not be provoked to bite a 
chicken. 
No. XX. 
COLUBER. 
189. 
Abdominal Scuta 1 40 
Sub-caudal Squama A 9 
Called by the natives Paragoodoo. 
The head broader than the neck, oblong, ovate, depressed above; compressed on the 
sides; covered with laminae of rather unusual forms: the pair between the nostrils small, 
oblong, curve, rounded in front; the next pair purse-form: of the three between the eyes, 
the lateral laminae, truncate cones, the middle, oblong-square, acuminated: the two larger 
behind, sub-cordate ; several small laminae on the occiput. 
The mouth large; the jaws protracted, and nearly of equal length. The teeth numerous, 
regular, small, reflex; a marginal, and two palatal rows, in the upper jaw. 
