DESCRIPTION OF I N D I A N SERPENTS.
No. II.
COLUBER.
Abdominal Scuta 209 "1
338
Sub-caudal Sqitamo! 129 J
Called by the natives, Kallajin.
The head broader than the neck, depressed, thin, ovate. The principal laminae
twelve in number. The one in front trigonal, somewhat emarginate ; the pair between
the nostrils, orbicular ; the next pair square, and larger ; the central lamina between
the eyes, small, trigonal, with a singular cordate appendage ; the lateral laminae
large, oblong-ovate ; the posterior pair semicordate with a pretty large lamina on
each side.
The moidh large. The lower jaw a little shorter than the upper. A double row of
palatal teeth, and a marginal row, above ; no fangs: the under teeth as usual.
The eyes lateral, nearer the rostrum than the angles of the mouth, large, oval. The
nostrils lateral, very near the point of the rostrum.
The trunk. The neck small, round ; the back convex, the sides towards the scuta
compressed, the abdomen flat. The tail tapers to a very small, sharp, point. The
scales ovate, smooth, imbricate: but those next the scuta, are larger and somewdiat
angular.
The entire length of the subject two feet ten inches, of the tail nine inches ; circumference
of the neck eleven lines, of the body one inch and a half.
The colour. This animal is singularly and beautifully speckled. The orange colour
marks on the upper part of the polished black head, give it a resemblance to some
species of beetle. Along the ridge of the back, from the neck to the end of the tail,
is a row of orange yellow, crucial, spots, with oblicjue rows of short, straw-colour lines
on each side. The ground colour is black. The scuta are of a yellowish white, with
a black dot on each side of the margins.
OBSERVATIONS.
Allowance must be made in the colour, for change produced by the spirits ; the
specimen not being accompanied with a drawing.
I n the second Volume of Seba's Museum, this serpent seems to be described in two
places. In p. 7. Tab. 7, under the name of Ibiboboca, from Brasile ; and in p. 60,
Tab. 61. " Serpens Ceilanica pomposa veste ornata."
No. III.
COLUBER.
Abdominal Scuta 1 5 1 j
[244
Sub-caudal Squama 93 J
Called by the natives DooUee.
The head, a little broader than the neck, oblong-ovate, compressed. The two
anterior lamina: between the nostrils trigonal; the next pair square, rounded behind ;
the middle lamina between the eyes lanceolate, those on the sides conical, convex ;
the semi-cordate lamina well shaped, large.
The mouth proportionally large. A marginal row of teeth above ; no fangs.
The eyes large, orbicular. The nostrils small, very near to the point of the rostrum.
The triink round, well shaped. The tail tapering, becomes very slender, and terminates
in a long, sharp point. The scales, on the back ovate, carinate, on other parts
smooth.
The length thirteen inches ; of the tail, four inches.
The colour of the head light brown ; the trunk freckled wi th dusky yellowish spots ;
the scuta a yellowish white, and most of them with black margins.
No. IV.
COLUBER.
Abdojninal Scuta 1541
Sub-caudal SquamiC 67 J""
Called by the natives Ghittee.
The head oblong-ovate, hardly broader than the neck, obtuse, flattish on the crown,
compressed on the sides. A single triangiüar lamina between the nostrils ; the next
pair orbicular, the middle lanrina between the eyes broad, shield-form, the lateral conical
and slightly convex ; the semicordate pair sub-truncate, with an oblong lamina on each
side.
The mouth middle size. A marginal row of teeth in the upper jaw ; no fangs.
The eyes large, lateral, sub-oval. The nostrils small, on the edge of the rostrum.
The trunk. The neck and body round, swells towards the middle, and, as usual,
gradually diminishes towards the anus; but the tail tapering rapidly, ends in a sharp
point.
The scales smooth, ovate.
The length of the subject one foot seven inches ; of the tail three inches, and threefourths.
PART u .