DESCRIPTION OF
No. XIV.
COLUBER.
.4]
Scuta Abdominalia 144
Squama Subcaudales 8
Called by the natives at Bombay, Ourdia.
at Calcutta, Dora.
The head oblong-ovate, somewhat thicker than the neck, and compressed towards
the nose, the fore part covered by nine lamins;. The first pair separating the nostrils
small, pyramidal ; the next large, square, rounded behind ; the central lamina
between the eyes long, and rather narrow, those on the side conical, convex ; the
semicordate pair ample, with several large, smooth scales, on each side. The occiput
covered with small orbicular scales.
The moulk proportionably small ; there are no fangs ; the marginal row above, as
well as all the other teeth, remarkably short. The eyes globular. The nostrils very
small.
The/nm/i swells and diminishes moderately ; but the tail tapers to a fine point. The
scales on the neck and on part of the tail smooth ; on the back and sides ovate and
carinated ; a row of broader, smooth scales, next to the scuta.
The length three feet seven inches ; of which the tail measures eleven inches.
The colour of the head light chesnut ; from each orbit proceed two remarkable
bluish-black streaks, of unequal length ; the shorter descends obliquely to the mouth
the other creeping obliquely along the cheek and the occiput, makes a turn upward to
be united with a spot of the same colour on the neck. The back and the sides are also
of a bluish-black colour, with dusky-yellow patches every where interspersed. The
belly and underpart of the tail are of a yellowish white.
OBSERVATIONS.
The subject described was received from Bombay. Specimens of various sizes
have been since received from the same place, as well as from sundry other parts, but
without the country names. They varied in colour, being more or less dark, and in
the spots being more or less yellow or white ; but the streaks from each orbit were
conspicuous in all of them.
It would seem that this species is common. In the different stages of its growth, as
well as at different places, it has obtained distinct names ; circtimstances in which it is
not singular : but the variation in colour in young and old subjects is rather more than
usual; for which reason I have in the following plate given the figures of two of
smaller size.
I N D I A N SERPENTS. 17
No. XV.
COLUBER A.
Sciita Ahdominalia 1461
Squama: Subcaudales 8 2 J
Called by the natives at Tranquebar, Jieer Pamboo.
at Calcutta, Dooblee.
at Bombay,
The length one foot two inches and a half, of which the tail measures three inches
three-fourths.
The colour a dusky lead, with numerous black dots on the back and the sides. The
abdomen and under part of the tail white.
COLUBER B.
Scuta Abdominalia 143 "i
226
Squama Subcaudales 83 J
Galled by the natives at Tranquebar, A''eer Pamboo.
at Bombay,
The length one foot two inches, of which the tail measures three inches four lines.
The coloxir here is less dark, and more spots of dusky yellow are interspersed than
in the last subject. Besides the two black lines from each orbit, two specks on the
semicordate lamina; are found in both the above subjects, as in all of the same size
which I have seen ; but not always in larger stibjects.
It were superfluous to enter into a more detailed description, after that given of the
Ourdia, to which species both certainly belong.
OBSERVATIONS.
Under the name Neer Pamboo, two other serpents, very different from the Ourdia,
have been received fronr Tranquebar.
The one, tlie Karoo Bokadam, No. XVII. Coromandel Serpents.
The other Ghittec. Continuation of Itrdian Serpents, No. IV.