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Show 672 MR. STANLEY S. FLOWER ON THE [May 16, This variety had no longitudinal lines or ventral spots, but about 17 dark transverse marks on the body and tail. Hab. Bengal, Assam, Burma, South China, Cochinchina, Siam, Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra. N.B.-SIMOTES VIOLACEUS (Cantor). Simotes violaceus, Blgr. Cat. Snakes, ii. p. 222. This species was obtained in Cambodia by M. Mouhot, so will probably be eventually found in Siam. Hab. Bengal, Assam, Burma, Cambodia, South China. 144. SIMOTES OCTOLINEATUS (Schneid.) Simotes octolineatus, Blgr. Cat. Snakes, ii. p. 224; S. Elower, P. Z. S. 1896, p. 884. Recorded from Perak and Singapore. Hab. Southern India, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulu Islands. 145. SIMOTES SIGNATUS Giinther. Simotes signatus, Blgr. Cat. Snakes, ii. p. 226. Hab. Malay Peninsula (Singapore, Brit. Mus. Cat.), Sumatra, Java. 146. SIMOTES TCENIATUS Giinther. Simotes tceniatus, Giinth. Rept. Brit. Ind. p. 216, pl. xx. fig. A ; Blgr. Cat. Snakes, ii. p. 227. Siamese. " N g u kow-pe-kow." Localities. This species was discovered by M . Mouhot in Cambodia, and specimens from Siam have also reached the British Museum through Sir R. Schomburgk and Mr. Newman. I obtained three individuals in Bangkok, and one near Bortong Kabin, up the Bangpakong river. Habits. It feeds sometimes on tbe small frog Microhyla ornata. Popular belief. The Siamese greatly dread this snake, considering it poisonous ; and they say, though it cannot kill a man, its bite will render him dumb and speechless for the rest of his life. Description. Two of these Siamese specimens had 17 rows of scales aud two 19. Colour (in life). Above olive-brown ; a very narrow pale yellow vertebral line; on each side of this two very dark brown longitudinal lines, more or less broken up into a series of spots. Below bright coral-red, with, on either side, a row of triangular (apex pointing forward), semicircular, or squarish black, spots ; the under surface of the tail is immaculate bright coral-red. Between the brown of the upper parts and the red belly there is on either side a pale yellowish-white line. Head ornamented with characteristic Simotes marks, black with narrow pale yellow margins ; under surface of head pale yellow. |