34 DE S C R I P T ION OF
The scales near the head contiguous ; on other parts imbricated : but all sub-orbicular,
smooth, ciliated, splendent, and differ little in size. The subcaudal scutella, as in the
two former subjects, are found here also, though in one specimen less expanded.
The length ten inches, of which half an inch belongs to the tail.
The colour. The head blackish, with two yellowish devaricating streaks from the
crown, and two roundisli spots of the same colour on the neck. The trunk above
presents thirty-six pair of reddish-brown sub-orbicular spots of various sizes, with black
margins of various breadths, an undulating black thread that runs along the ridge of the
back serving as part of the margin to each pair. The yellowish-white abdomen is
crossed by twenty-eight bands, broader, but of the same colour as the margins above,
with which they are united ; in some places the belly appears tesselated black and white.
O B S E R V A T I O N S .
This anguis was received from India without the country name, or mention from
whence sent.
There can be no doubt of this being the Anguis Maculata of Linnasus, but it is
remarkable that the difference in subcaudal squams; as given by Gronovius (no less than
five) should not have been noticed by Linnaeus, who cites Gronovius ; and that the
dilatation of the subcaudal squamze, as a deviation from the generic character, should
have passed unnoticed by Linnsus in his own description.*
It should however be remarked that of two specimens, the expansion of squamoe in
one was less perceptible than in the other from which the drawing was made.
No. XXX.
COLUBER.
Scuta Abdominalia 2201
S 2 8 1 .
Squami^ Subcaudales 61 J
Called by the natives Chunalee.
The AcacZbroader tlian the neck, long oval, depressed above ; the rostrum compressed,
obtuse. Between the nostrils are interposed two pentagonal lamina: ; the next pair
larger, sub-triangular ; behind which appear an unusual row of small laminas ; the
shield-form laminae exactly shaped, those on each side convex, sub-lunated ; the semi-
* Mus. Ad. Ic. p. 31.
I N D I A N SERPENTS, 3 5
cordate pair truncate, obscurely divided, and marked with four darkish dots ; the hind
head covered with smooth orbicular scales.
The viouth large ; the under jaw considerably shorter than the upper. The teeth
remarkably small ; a marginal row above, and no fangs. The eyes large, sub-orbicular.
The nostrils small.
The trunk. The neck, at first smaller than the head, swells into the trunk, which is
well and proportionally formed : the tail round, remarkably short, terminates in a
slender point. The scales oval, smooth, and everywhere very small in size; and the
usual row of larger scales bordering the scuta is wanting. The scuta remarkably wide.
The length, three feet four inches, of which the tail measures seven inches four lines.
The colour above cineritious, with large darkish ragged spots along the ridge of the
back, while others smaller and more faint are scattered on the sides. The abdomen
and under part of the tail uniformly white without spots.
O B S E R V A T I O N S .
Two specimens in good preservation were received from Dr. Scott, of Bombay, sent
to him from Buchigr, by Mr. Bruce. The serpent, it seems, is found also in the
Mahratta country.
The natives pretend that its bite is in a short while followed by blotches on the skin,
and proves mortal in a fortnight, or within the inonth.
The serpent, however, has no venomous organs.
The smaller of the two specimens is here described. The only difference found was
in the abdominal scuta, the number of wdiich in the largest was 23 8.
I n the lesser, 220.
No. XXXÍ.
BOA.
Scuta Abdominalia 204.
Scuta Subcaudalia 44.
Called by the natives Seu Walalay.
Ulie head obtuse ovate, a little thicker than the neck, the crown flat, the rostrum
roiuided at the point, but flattish on the sides. The first pair of lamins between the
nostrils very small, sub-orbicular ; the next pair thrice as large, oblong-square, anteriorly