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Show 1871.] DR. J. ANDERSON ON INDIAN REPTILES. 189 Assam these Snakes occur on the grass slopes at the foot of the hills, and are called by the Assamese "Dabi Serp," arid by the Cucharees Garanga Sim." They are said to be very irascible during the breeding-season, and to charge without any provocation. . This Snake is not uncommon in Eastern Bengal; and I have obtained it close to Calcutta-one from the Royal Botanic Gardens, and another from the neighbourhood of Mutlah. I have heard of its occurrence at Raneegunge, and have seen a specimen from the Jessore. It is in all probability the "Black Cobra" of Hooker; and there can be little doubt that the Cobras constantly killed in the Sikkim Himalaya of fabulous dimensions are of this species. I have it from Darjeeling, at an altitude of 6000 feet. BUNGARUS CCERULEUS, Schneid.; Gthr. I. c. p. 343. This specimen is uniform black above, pale brown beneath, and highly iridescent. Length 23f, tail 3 | inches; ventrals 225, caudals 55. Hab. Nazeerah, Assam, and from Agra. This is the most generally prevalent poisonous Snake in the northwest provinces of India. It is rare in the neighbourhood of Calcutta and Lower Bengal, where the natives do not know it as a poisonous Snake. In its young state it has a considerable resemblance to Lycodon aulicus in the general character of its colouring; and I have received specimens of the latter Snake sent to me as examples of this species. CALLOPHIS MACCLELLANDII, Reinh. ; Gthr. I.e. p. 350. ^ This specimen belongs to Giinther's variety y, forming twenty-two rings, each dilating on the ventral surface into a large black spot, and each of these being separated by another isolated black spot. No vertebral line. . Length 16|, tail 1| inches; ventrals 219, caudals 33. Hab. Nazeerah, Assam. PLATURUS FISCHERI, Jan; Gthr. /. c. p. 356. The specimen which I provisionally refer to this species has nineteen rows of smooth scales round the fore part of the trunk, in longitudinal series, and 235 ventrals ; there is no azygos shield between the posterior frontals ; and in all of these characters it agrees with this species. But on comparing the head with Giinther's drawing, I find that the anterior frontals in m y specimen differ from it in being long and pointed anteriorly, and considerably larger than the posterior pair, and in the vertical being proportionally larger than in P. fischeri, and the occipitals longer and more pointed. It has one prae- and two postoculars ; and the third and fourth labials are below the eye. Two pairs of large chin-shields, the posterior pair with a large scale between their posterior extremities. It also differs from P. fischeri in having fifty-six black rings round the trunk instead of thirty-six ; but I do not attach much importance to this, as P. scutatus shows about an equal variation: yet, |