AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 
89 
are broad, and sometimes sliow a lateral keel. Anal bifid. The tail is 
longer and thicker in males than in females, and covered with high short 
shield-like scales, the two lower series of which may be considered as sub- 
caudals. 
The poison-fang is short, and not followed by a series of other 
simple teeth, as in Ilydrophis. A very small single tooth is implanted 
at some distance behind the poison-fang, and is frequently lost. 
These snakes have quite the physiognomy of an Maps, and the 
cleft of the mouth is not turned upwards behind, as in other Sea Snakes; 
the eye is rather small. Neither the tail or the hind part of the body is 
prehensile; and although we have not received positive information con¬ 
cerning their liabits, it becomes evident from their whole organization that 
they must differ considerably from the other types of the family in this 
respect. (Gunther.) 
This is one of the two genera of Sea Snakes which occur occasionally 
on tlie coast of New South Wales. 
Ringed Sea Snake. Tlaturus scutatus. 
Platurus scutatus, Gunther , Reptiles of Brit. India , p. 356. 
Generally an azygos shield between the posterior frontals ; scales of 
the front part of the trunk in twenty-one or twenty-three longitudinal 
series; ventral shields from 213 to 241. Body surrounded by from twenty- 
five to fifty black rings. Crown of the head black; the first and second 
black mark of the head and neck are joined below by a black longitudinal 
band, commencing from the elfin ; snout and side of the head yellow, with 
a black band running through the eye. 
After having examined nearly fifty examples of this species, I have 
come to the conclusion that the number and width of the black cross 
bands do not constitute specific characters in these snakes. The length 
of the tail also varies with the sex. It is a common species, extending 
from the Bay of Bengal to the Chinese Seas, and to the coasts of 
New Zealand. The largest example I have seen is exactly 5 feet long. 
( Gunther.) 
Specimens of this snake are often washed ashore at Bondi after 
heavy gales. 
Q 
