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Show 1871.] DR. J. ANDERSON ON INDIAN REPTILES. 169 to the angles of the mouth, where it is minutely punctulated with yellowish. A pale yellowish-brown vertebral band, the breadth of three rows of scales, prolonged along the body to the tip of the tail. It is interrupted at the base and near the tip of the tail by two large black spots. A longitudinal series of small black spots at intervals of four transverse rows of scales along the sides of the pale vertebral band. A narrow black longitudinal band along the sides of the body on the second and third rows of scales above the ventrals. Ventrals pale yellow, with large deep-black quadrangular spots, so confluent that black is the prevailing colour. Under surface of tail pale orange-yellow, with the black yellow-punctulated spots confined to the external margins of the caudals. This specimen is from the Khasi Hills; and as Griffith travelled in that region and in the hilly country to the north of it, it is most probable that the specimen found in his collection came thence, and not from Afghanistan as Giinther supposes. SIMOTES RUSSELLII, Daud.; Gthr. I. c. p. 213. Loc. Singhbhoom. SIMOTES PUNCTULATUS, Gray; Gthr. I. c. p. 217. Five specimens, all of a deep brick-red, with narrow transverse light brown bands with black margins; the lines and their margins do not exceed two scales' breadth. In some the spots on the ventrals are so numerous and confluent that the plates are almost wholly black. The ventrals of the smallest specimen, 26" 6'", in the two posterior thirds of the body, are full coralline-red, with their surfaces more black-marbled than black-spotted, and there is a distinct tendency to the formation of a white line along the angles of the plates. Three other specimens of this species, from Darjeeling, belong to the dark brown variety, with light brown black-edged bands and with darkish underparts. In two the praeorbitals are confluent. • I have three specimens from Darjeeling corresponding to Giinther's variety /3. In one there are two praeoculars on one side, and one on the other. Brick-red variety. The specimens measure :- No inches. Ventrals. Caudals. Bands. 1 .... 36! 210 58 34 2 .. 32| 194 66 31 3 .... 32* 196 56 33 4 . . 30i 201 62 29 5 . 26! 195 66 30 6 .... 9§ 198 55 None of these specimens show any tendency to division of the praeorbitals. All from an elevation of 3500 feet. |