NAIA HAJE.
as compared with the other plates; they are irregularly five-sided, two sides
referable to the external margin of each, one to the point, one to the base,
and the fifth extends the whole length of the inner side. The sides of the
head before the eyes are nearly perpendicular, behind the eyes prominent
and convex : the nose is rather blunt, and the nasal plate, which is large, has
towards the margin of the lip a deep semicircular concavity, the convexity of
which is directed upwards ; anteocular scales one, postocular scales generally
three; the last but one of the labial scales of the upper lip very large, and in
adult specimens generally reaches as high as the postocular scales, and
covers a portion of the sides of the head, the remaining parts of the sides are
covered by a few large irregular scales, excepting in young specimens, in
which these scales are out of proportion small, as compared with what they
are in adults. The scales of the hindhead and the commencement of the neck
irregular as regards size, each with four distinct sides, and two other more or
less developed, according as the base and apex of each scale are more or less
pointed. The scales on the other parts of the neck and body are lengthened,
rather narrow, and of a more or less ovate form, and are disposed in lines,
which may either be traced as running obliquely across from one side of the
abdomen to the other, or as forming angles on the middle of the back, with
the point of each angle considerably behind the extremities of these lines,
which will be understood best by reference to the appearances exhibited in
the plates. Approaching the tail the scales change their character, though
they retain the same mode of arrangement; instead of being ovate they
assume a somewhat quadrangular form, diminish in length and increase
in width, and the sides constituting the base and apex are oblique. On
the tail, again, they exhibit a different figure, one more approaching
to that of the scales of the hindhead being more or less six-sided, the two
sides constituting the base and apex being more or less developed : the point
of the tail is either blunt or accuminated, and in either case is covered with a
corneous sheath. The skin of the neck is loose, and too capacious for the
parts it has to cover: hence, when not excited, the exuberant portion is
disposed in two folds, one along each side, close to the abdominal plates.
The skin of the body is moderately loose, but not too large for the parts
beneath it, and that of the tail is intimately united to the internal parts, and
not to be raised in the least, except the connecting membrane be destroyed.
The abdominal plates are moderately wide, and the posterior edge of each is
longer than the anterior, and terminates in an angle between two of the
scales of the inferior lateral row: the subcaudal scales six-sided, the angle
formed by the union of the two external sides received between two of the
NAIA IIA JE.
lateral scales, and the internal angle between two of the subcaudal scales
of the other side. The number of abdominal plates varies from 200 to 227,
and the number of subcaudal scales from 53 to 67. The eyes are rather
large, and though not sunk in the orbit, appear rather deep from the sides
of the upper lip, and the supraorbital scales being very protuberant.
V a r iety A . ( P la te X V III.)' |
Ground colour either a pure or a reddish yellow, the depth of the tint
different in different individuals, but always lightest on the under parts.
The variegations, which consist of narrow longitudinal spots, or streaks, are
of an umber-brown or reddish brown colour, and vary in respect of number
in every individual specimen; in some examples they are numerous, and on
some places confluent; in others they are few, and hardly to be perceived,
those snakes being just in the stage which precedes their becoming what
would be regarded as specimens of yellow Copells, already described.
The abdominal plates, and in some individuals the subcaudal scales also, are
more or less mottled with umber-brown, or reddish brown variegations, which
always extend transversely, instead of longitudinally, and sometimes pass
from one extremity of the plate to the other. Eyes chesnut brown.
V a r iety B. ( P late XIX.)
Ground colour a rich umber-brown, more or less freely mottled with stripes,
spots, or blotches of gamboge-yellow and bright chesnut-brown. The
abdominal plates are generally a dull brownish purple-red, and towards the
head, generally tinted here and there with yellowish brown, and spotted with
yellowish white. The tail,-both above and below, generally livid blackish
brown. Eyes deep chesnut brown.
V a r iety C. ( P la te XX.)
Colour an uniform livid blackish brown, the livid tinge strongest on the
under parts, forming almost a sort of purplish slate-colour, which is
very dark and shining towards the head. The abdominal plates posteriorly
have each a light semipellucid margin, and the base of each plate, which is
covered by the plate in front of it, and also the portions of the scales of the
back and sides, which are generally covered by the adjoining scales, are of a
bright chesnut colour, best seen in dried skins. ■ Eyes bright chesnut-brown.