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Show 1871.] DR. J. ANDERSON ON INDIAN REPTILES. 193 split into two, and carry two, three, or four tubercles. The tubercles on the scales of the slender portion are very indistinct, but in the ttnck part they become distinct, and are usually two in number. Ventrals 456; six small anal shields. Total length 51" 6'"; rJi W i T w e n t y - e i S n t blackish rings round the slender portion ot the body, confluent on the back, and connected on the under surface by the black ventral shields. Compressed part of the body uniform yellowish (spirit specimen) ; but the general colour is much faded; the black rings, however, on the anterior half are well marked. This fine specimen was obtained at the Sand Heads at the mouth of the Hughli. ENHYDRINA SCHISTOSA, Daud.* Distinguished from its very near kinsfellow, E. valakadyen, by its narrow and more elongated head and head-shields, its longer gape, the smaller and more pointed character of its scales, which are also not nearly so strongly carinated as in that species, their greater number, and its relatively shorter and narrower tail. Body elongate, compressed; head narrow and elongate, one-third the length of the tail; nasals large and elongate; fourth labial below the eye; one postocular united to the fourth labial; mental shield very narrow and much elongated, as long as the first labials; fifty to sixty longitudinal rows of scales round the neck. The scales are rather small, elongate, pointed, and leaf-shaped on the anterior third of the body, broader and more round at their points in the middle third, and still more circular on the last third ; scales on the throat, neck, and a considerable portion of under surface of the anterior part of the body narrow, much pointed and elongated, and perfectly smooth, without any trace of tubercles. The shields of the head are quite smooth; but the scales of the back are keeled and slightly imbricate, while those on the sides are feebly keeled, hexagonal, and scarcely imbricate. The tail is about one-tenth the length of the body, and is not so deep as the preanal portion of the body. Uniform dark olive-green on the dorsal surface, paling to pale greenish yellow on the sides, and to white lower down on the sides and on the belly. Length, total 40" 1"', tail 4". Hab. Gopalpore. From the strong resemblance of this species to E. valakadyen, it is probable that the two have long been confounded. To Dr. Stoliczka belongs the credit of having again called attention to the characters distinguishing these two forms, which appear to be quite distinct. I have before m e for comparison a specimen of undoubted E. valakadyen, of smaller size than this specimen ; but, notwithstanding, the scales of the former are much larger every way, and broader and truncated at the tips, than in the latter ; so that age will not account for such differences. Moreover the form and size of the head of E. schistosa, compared with E. valakadyen, are so pronounced that * See Journ. As. Soc. 1870, p. 213. PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1871, No. XIII. |