V &

FIRST REPORT

ON TIIE

COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE

COLOMBO MUSEUM,

Compiled by Order of the Sub-Committee.

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ON THE

COLLECTION OF SNAKES IN THE COLOMBO MUSEUM.

The following List of Snakes recorded from Ceylon is compiled from Dr. Giinther's "Reptiles of British India," 1863. The synonomy is restricted to such books and papers as are contained in the Colombo Museum Library. On later classifications the student should consult Dr. Giinther's article in the "Encyclopedia Brittannica," art. Reptiles. A. HALY, October, 1886. Director.

OPHIDII.

Sub-Order I.—Ophidii colubriformes.

Family.— Typh lopidce, I.—Typhlops. Cat. No. 1. braminus, Daud...... 1 2 tenuis, Gthr...... 2 3 mirus, Jan...... 3

4 ? ...... 4

Family.— Tortricidce. I.—Cylindrophxs. 1 maculatus, Linn...... 5 Family.— ZJropeltidce. I.—Rhinopiiis. 1 oxyrhyncus, Schn. ' ... ■'... 6 2 punctatus, Mull...... 7 3 planiceps, Peters...... 8 4 trevelyanus, Kel...... 9 5 blythii, Kel...... 10 II.—Uropeltis. 1 grandis, Kel...... 11 III.—Silybura. 1 melanogaster, Peters...... 12

47—86 ' . u

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Family.—Calamaridee. I.—Aspidura. Cat. No. 1 brackyhorros, Boie ...... 13 2 copii, Gthr...... 14 3 trachyprocta, Cope ...... 15 4 guntheri, Ferg...... 16 II.—Haplocerccs. 1 ceylonensis, Gthr...... 17

Family.—Oligodontida. I.—Oligodon. 1 subgriseus, D. et B...... 18 2 sublineatus, D. et B...... 19 3 templetonii, Gthr...... 20 II.—Sihotes. 1 russelli, Daud...... 21 2 albiventer, Gthr...... 22

Family.— Colubridee. I.—Ablabes. 1 liumberti, Jan...... 23 II.—Ctclophis.

1 calamaria, Gthr...... 24 III.—Odontomus.

1 semifasciatus, Gthr...... 25 2 nympha, Daud...... 26 IV.—Cynophis. 1 kelena, Daud...... 27 V.—Ptyas.

1 mucosus, Linn...... 28 VI.—Zamknis. 1 fasciolatus, Shaw ...... 29 VII.—Tropidonotus. 1 quincunciatus, Schleg...... 30 2 stolatus, Linn...... 31 3 ceylonensis, Gthr...... 32 4 plumbicolor, Cantor...... 33

VIII.—Atre tium. 1 sehistosum, Daud...... 34

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Family.—Homalopsid.ce. I.—Gerarda. Oat. Xo. 1 bicolor, Gray ...... 35 II.—Cerberus. 1 rbyncops, Schn...... 36 Family.—Den drophides. I.—Dendrophis. 1 picta, Gmel...... 37 2 caudolineata, Gthr...... 38 II.—Chrysopelea.

1 ornata, Shaiv...... 39

„ Family.—Dryophidcc. I.—Passerita. 9 1 mycterizans, Linn...... 40 2 purpurascena, Gthr...... 41

^ Family.—Dipsadidce. I.—Dipsas. 1 ceylonensis, Gthr...... 42 2 forstenii, D. et B...... 43 3 barnesii, Gthr...... 44 4 trigonata, Boie ...... 45 5 gokool, Gray ...... 46 Family.—Lycodontidce. I.—Lycodon, 1 aulicus, Linn...... 47 II.—Cercaspis. I carinata, Kulil...... 48

„ Family.—Pythonidcs. I.—Python. 1 molurus, Linn...... 49 Family.—Acrochoridce. II.—Ceersydrus.

1 granulatus, Schn...... 50

Sub-Order II.—Ophidii Colubriformes Yenenosi. Family.—Elapidcs. I.—Naja. 1 tripudians, Merr.

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II.—BuNGARUS. Cat. No.

1 coeruleus, Schn...... 52 2 ceylonicus, Gthr...... 53 III.—Callophis. 1 trimaeulatus, Daud. ... ••• 54 Family.—Hydrophidie. I.—Hydrophis.

1 jerdonii, Gray ...... 55 2 stokesii, Gray ...... 56 3 spiralis, Shaw - ...... 57 4 cyanocincta, Daud. ... ••• 58 5 chloris, Daud...... 59 - 6 gracilis, Shaw ... 60 7 lapemoides, Gray ... ••• 61 8 ellioti, Gthr. ... ••• 62 9 curta, Shaw ...... 63 10 holdsworthii, Gthr...... 64 II.—PelAmis. 1 bicolor, Schn...... 65

Sub-Order III.—Viperiformes. Family.— Crotalidce. I.—Trimeresurus. 1 trigonocephalus, :Merr...... 66 II.—Hypnale.

1 nepa ...... 67 Family.— Viperidce. I.—Daboia. 1 russellii, Shaw ...... 68 II.—Echis. 1 carinata, Schn...... 69

1 Typhbops braminus, Daudin. Cuv. R. A. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 175, pi. xvi., fig. I. From Nepaul through the Malayan Archipelago to China. Dr. Giinther says it is common in Ceylon ; but according to his description, its circumference in the middle is one-thirteenth of its total length ; there is no snake in the collection that at all agrees with this in its proportions.

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2 Typiilops tenuis, Giinther. Gthr. Rept. Brit, Ind., p. 176, Madras ; Ceylon ? One specimen in the British Museum from Madras. Mr. W. Fer¬ guson (letter on the "Reptile Fauna of Ceylon," Colombo, 1877, p. 17) is uncertain about this species. I have placed under this number those specimeus which seem to me to agree with the description, but they are all more slender than Dr. Giinther's specimen, averaging in thickness only a thirtieth of the total length, against a twenty-fourth in the Madras specimen. Their snouts are yellow, as in T. Mirus. Two specimens presented by W. Ferguson, Esq. ; one from Colombo, presented by S. Lawrance, Esq. ; and one purchased.

3 Typhlops mirus, Jan. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p, 176. Ceylon. A.11 our specimens greatly exceed the proportions given by Dr. Giinther in circumference (viz., one-sixteenth of the total length), their average circumference being about one-thirtieth. It is therefore very doubtful whether they belong to this species. Two specimens presented by G. H. K. Thwaites, Esq., and one from Colombo, which, however, differs greatly in colour from Mr. Thwaites'.

4 Typhi.ops ? A specimen from Colombo, presented by Mr. Hudson in April, 1886, is of extraordinary slenderness, its circumference being contained in its total length over seventy limes.

5 Cylindrophis maculatus, Linnceus. Anguis maculatus, Linn. Tortrix maculata. Schleg. Phys. Serp. ii., p. 12. Cylindrophis maculatus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 179. Ceylon. Very common. The form of this snake is described as cylin¬ drical, which is the form of specimens preserved in spirits, and I imagine that when burrowing it assumes this form during life ; but its habitual shape is quite unlike that of any other snake, being nearly flat—the "back slightly convex, and the belly concave. Placed on a table it makes no attempt to escape, but lies with its head beneath its lowest coil, and its tail spread out so as to resemble the head of a cobra, which it imitates in its motions.

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If irritated for some time it finally ejects from the anus a few drops of a yellow acrid liquid. The collection contains no speci¬ mens from a higher elevation than Kandy, and it is not certain that Mr. Thwaites' specimens are from Peradeniya.

6 Rhinophis oxyriiyncus, Schneider.

Dapatnaya lankadivana, Kel. Prodr. II., p. 16. Rhinophis oxyrhyncus, G-thr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 184. Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H-, v. 17, p. 3, 1886. Ceylon. One specimen from Mullaittivu, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq.

7 Rhinophis punctatus, Miiller. Gtlir. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 184. Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H., v. 17, p. 3, 1886. Ceylon. No specimens. A very rare species. " In the neighbourhood of Kandy, under stones."—Beddome.

8 Rhinophis planiceps, Peters. Typlops phillipinus, Cuv. R. A. Rhinophis phillipinus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 184. Rhinophis planiceps, Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. II., v. 17, p. 3, 1886. Ceylon. Three specimens presented by W. Ferguson, Esq., and one by E. F. Modder, Esq. "Not uncommon about Kandy in loose vegetable soil or decaying vegetable matter."—Ferguson, loc. cit., p. 17.

9 Rhinophis trevelyanus, Kelaart.

Dapatnaya trevelyana, Kel. Prodr. F. Z., II., p. 17. Rhinophis trevelyanus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 185. Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H., v. 17, p. 8, 1886. Ceylon. Three specimens from Rakwana, presented by A. C. Ryves, Esq., a,nd one specimen presented by W. Ferguson, Esq.

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10 Rhinophis Blythii, Kelaart. Kel. Prodr. II., p. 14. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind. (part), p. 186. Bedd. Ann. Mag., N. H., v. 17, p. 8, 1886. Ceylon. Seven specimens. Very common from Kandy to Ramboda.

11 Uropeltis grandis, Giinther. Uropeltis phillipinus, Cuv. R. A. Tenn. Ceylon, vol. I., p. 195, —— safifragamuH, grandis, pardalis, Kel. Prodr. II., p. 15. grandis, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 188. Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H., v. 17, p. 3, 1886. Ceylon. One specimen from Matara, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq., and another from Badulla, presented by J. F. Garvin, Esq.

12 Silybura melanogaster, Peters.

Rhinophis blythii, Gthr. (part) Rept. Brit, ind., p. 186. Silybura melanogaster, Bedd. Ann. Mag. N. H., v. 17, p. 20, 1886. Ceylon. No specimens. " Very common in the Central Province."— Beddome.

13 Aspidora brachyhoisros, Boie. Calamaria scytale, Schleg Phys. Serp. II., p. 42. Aspidura brachyhorros, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 202. Ceylon. Five specimens—one from Colombo ; the locality of the others not known.

14 Aspidura copii, Giinther. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 203, pi. xviii., fig. E. Ceylon. One specimen from Dikoya, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq.

15 Aspidura trachyprocta, Cope. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 203, pi. xviii., figs. F and F 1. Ceylon. Numerous specimens from Kandy and Ramboda.

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16 Aspidura gtrntheri, Ferguson. Ferg. Proc. Zool. Soc., 1876, p. 819. Ceylon. Seven specimens (Western Province), presented by W. Fergu¬ son, Esq.

17 Haplocercus ceylonensis, Giinther. Gthr. Colubr. Snakes, 1858, p. 15. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 204. Ceylqn. A very common snake in the hill districts, at times assuming a dull red colour, when it is known to up-country residents as the "red-polonga." It is, however, quite harmless. Observations on the time and causes of this curious change of colour would be very interesting.

18 Oligodon subgriseus, Dumeril et Bibron. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 207., pi. xix., fig. F. Southern India ; Ceylon. Three specimens : presented by H. J. Macvicar, Esq., W. Fer¬ guson, Esq., and J. F. Baker, Esq., all from Colombo.

19 Oligodon Sublineatds, Dumeril et Bibron. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 209. Ceylon. A very common snake. The collection has specimens from the coast to 4,000 feet.

20 Oligodon templetonii, Giinther Gthr. Ann. Mag. N. H., 3rd ser.—IX., p. 57, 1862. Rept. Brit. Ind., pi. xiv., fig. C. Ceylon. One specimen from Ratnapura, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq.

21 Simotes russellii, Daudin. Coronella russellii, Schleg. Phys. Serp., II., p. 78. Simotes russellii, Gthr. Kept. Brit. Ind., p. 213. India; Ceylon. Very common.

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22 Simotes albiventek, Giinther. Simotes purpurascens, var. Gtlir. Col. Snakes, p. 25. — albiventer, Gtlir. Rept. Brit. Iud., p. 214. Ceylon. No specimens.

23 Ablabes Humberti, Jan. Calaraaria sagittaria, Jerd. (not Cantor) Journ. As. Soc. Beng., XVII., 1853, p. 528. Ablabes humberti, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 228. Southern India ; Ceylon. A very common snake round Colombo, but the collection con¬ tains no specimens from other parts. The teeth of this snaue are of quite a different character from those of any other species I have jet had the opportunity of examining : they are very numerous and of equal size conical at the base and transvei sely compressed towards the tip which forms a slightly recurved cutting edge ; this edge is coloured a deep brown.

24 CrcLOPHis calamaria, Giinther. Gthr. Col. Snakes, p. 250. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 231. India; Ceylon. One specimen, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq. (bad state). "Not uncommon in Ceylon; but scarcer in the Peninsula of India."— Giinther.

25 Odontomus sympoa, Daudin. Coluber oympha, Schleg. Phys. Serp., II., p. 120. Odont.omus nympha, Gthr. Col. Snakes, p. 206. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 233. India; Ceylon. No specimens. "The only specimen of this snake, received from the south of the Island, caught by Mr. Heanly, is now with Dr. Giinther ; unfortunately the bottle in which it went home was broken, and the snake got shrivelled up "—Ferguson, loc. cit.

26 Odontomus semifasciatus, Giinther. Hydropholus semifasciatus, Gthr. Ann. Mag. N. H., 3rd ser.— IX., p. 129, pi. ix., fig. 6. Odontomus semifasciatus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 234. Ceylon. 47—86 c

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Two specimens preseuted by W. C Twynam, Esq.,' c.m.a., two by W. Ferguson, Esq , and one by Hawtrey Thwaites, Esq., all from Jaffna. The number of rings evidently decreases with age. There are fifty in the young one described by Dr. Giinther, and not more than thirty-six in any in the collection, which are all between fifteen and eighteen inches in length.

27 Cynophis Helena, Daudin. Hepetodryas helena, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 192 Cynophis helena, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 95. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 247. Southern India ; Ceijlon. A very common up-country snake. The collection possesses no specimens from the low-country.

28 Ptyas mucosus, Linnceus. Coluber blumenbachii, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 137, pi. 5, figs. 7 and 8. Ptyas mucosas, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 249. From the Himalayas, 5,420 feet, to Java, Chusan, and Formosa. The rat-snake, common everywhere.

29 Zamehjs fasciolatus, Shaw.

• Coryphodon fasciolatus, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 109. Zamenis fasciolatus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 254, pi. xxi., fig. F. India; Ceylon. One specimen from Jaffna, presented by Hawfrey Thwaites, Esq.

30 Tropidonotus quincunciatus, Schleg. Tropidonotus quincunciatus et umbratus, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., pp. 307, 309, pi. 12, figs. 4, 5. quincunciatus, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 64. Mesopotamia to China. Very common.

31 Tropidonotus stolatus, Linnceus.

Coluber stolatus, Linn. S. N., i., p. 219. Tropidonotus stolatus, Schleg. Phys. Serp., p. 317. Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 68. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 266.

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East Indies, scarcer in the Malayan Peninsula and absent in the Archipelago. Very common.

32 Tropidonotus ceylonensis, Giinther.

Tropidonotus chrysargus var., ceylonensis, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 7 I ■ ceylonensis, Gtkr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 268, pi. xxii., fig. G. Ceylon. Two specimens presented by G. H. K. Thwaites, Esq., and one from Udugama.

33 Tropidonotus plumbicoi.or, Cantor. Xi nodon viridis, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 57. Tropidonotus plumbicolor, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 272. Southern India; Ceylon. Adult (Northern Province): on the right side the loreal is fused with lower prae-ocular ; ventral, 150; sub-candals, 40. Adult (Vavuniya-Vilaykulam, presented by W. C. Twynam, Esq., c.m.g.); on the right side loreal fused with lower prae-ocular; ventrals, 142 ; sub-candals, 36. Adult (Badulla, preseuted by E. Wqpdhouse, Esq.) : no loreal ; yentrals, 153 ; sub-candals, 45. Young (Pallekele, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq.): no loreals ; ventrals, 147 ; sub-candals, 39.

Young : (Badulla) : no loreals ; ventrals, 137 ; sub-candals, 40. The strong tendency to lose the loreal in Ceylon specimens is curious. In all the Museum specimens the number of ventrals falls short of the normal iu Indian specimens, viz., 160-161, and in all but one the number of sub-candals is also short, 42 being the proper number; in this specimen, however, the number is exceeded.

34 Atrktium sohistosum, Daud. Tropidonotus sehistosus, Schleg. Phys. Serp II., p. 319. Atretium schistosum, Gthr. Kept. Brit. Iud., p. 273. Southern India through Bengal to the Malay Peninsula; Ceylon. A common water-snake in the low-country. No specimens in the collection from the hills.

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35 Gerarda bicolor, Gray. Two snakes were in the collection of the Royal Asiatic Society? Ceylon Branch, neither of which have been recorded from Ceylon—Gerarda bicolor, Gray, and Fordonia unicolor, Gray. It is probable that both these specimens were received from the Straits, but the occurrence of G. bicolor in Ceylon is set at rest by the capture of a specimen in the Kelani river by Mr. H. F. Fernando, which he presented to the Museum.

36 Cerberds rliyncops, Schneider. Cerberus obtusatus, Cuv. R. A. Homalopsis schneideri, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 341, pi. xiii., figs. 6 and 7- Cerberus rhyncops, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 279. Ceylon to Siam. A common water-snake, which occasionally goes to sea.

37 Dendrophis picxa, Gmelin. ,

Ahsetulla billii, Gray Ind. Zool. c., fig. Dendrophis picta, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 228, pi. ix., figs. 5-7. Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 148. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 297. India; Ceylon. Very common.

38 Dendrophis caudolineata, Gray.

Ahsetulla candolineata, Gray Ind. Zool e., tab. Dendrophis candolineata, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 150. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 297. Penany, Singapore ; Ceylon. One specimen presented by G. II. K. Thwaites, Esq., and another from Illagolla presented by W. Ferguson, Esq.

39 Chrtsopelea ornata, Shaw. Dendrophis ornata, Schleg. Phys. Serp., p. 234, pi. 9,figs. 8-10. Chrysopelea ornata, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 146. Rept. Ind Brit. , p. 298. India; Ceylon. Eight specimens.

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40 Passerita hycterizans, Linnaeus.

Dryiophis nasuta, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 241, pi. 10, figs. 1-5. Passerita rnycterizaus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 305.

India ; Ceylon. The common Green Whip-snake, or Eye-snake.

41 Passerita purpurascens, Giinther.

Passerita rnycterizaus, var., Dryinus fuscus, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 169. fusca, Tennent N. H. Ceylon, p. 307, c. fig. purpurascens, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind. p. 306, pi. xxiii., fig. E. Ceylon. One specimen from Ratnapura, and three others presented by Messrs. Thwaites and Ferguson, with no locality given.

42 Dipsas ceylonensis, Giinther.

Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 176. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 314, pi. xxiii., fig. B. Ceylon. Numerous specimens.

43 Dipsas forsteni, D. et B.

Gtlir. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 309. Anamally Mountains, Ceylon. One specimen, presented by Sir C. P. Layard, k.c.m.g. ; one specimen from Negombo, presented by Rev. D. H. Perera ; one specimen, mounted, in a bad state. This last specimen measures over six feet in length. It killed a large blood-sucker instan¬ taneously, seizing it across the middle of the back: no poison fangs, however powerful, could have been more deadly in their action.

44 Dipsas barnesii, Giinther.

" Lately described by Dr. Giinther from a single specimen in Mr. Barnes' collection, late of Gaugarua estate."—Ferguson, loc. cit., p. 74.

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45 Dipsas trigonata, Boie. Dipsas trigonata, Sohleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 267, pi. ii., figs. 6 ami 7. Gthr. Rept. Rrit. Ind., p. 312. Dipsadomorphus trigonatus, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 175. India; Ceylon. " Of specimens sent to be named by Dr. Giinther, be is returning one named Dipsas trigonata."—Ferguson, loc. cit., p. 24.

46 Dipsas gokool, Gray. Gray Ind. Zool. c. fig. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 313. I'enang; Bengal; Ceylon. " I have two specimens of a snake so like the drawing referred to for this species, that 1 believe they are identical."—Ferguson, loc. cit., p. 21.

47 Ltcodon aulicus, Linnceus. Coluber aulicus. Linn. S. N., i., p. 1220. Lycodou hebe, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II , p. 106., pi. iv,,figs. 1-3, aulicus Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 3S1.

India; Ceylon; Maldives ; Phillipines ; Timor; Java? Very common. One of our specimens was caught in the lantern of the Minicoy Lighthouse, and presented by Lieut. W. W. Wilding, R.N.

43 Cercaspis carinats, Kuhl. Lycodon carinatus, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 109., pi. iv., figs. 6 and 7.

Cercaspis carinata, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 324. Ceylon. The collection contains only three specimens, one from Jaffna presented by Mr. Hawtrey Thwaites, and two without localities by Messrs. G. H. K. Tliwait.es and W. Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson remarks, "Not uncommon, loc. cit. p. 22."

49 Python molurus, Linnceus.

Coluber Molurus, Linn. S. N., i., p. 225. Python bivittatus (part), Schleg. Phys. f erp. II., p. 403., pi. xv.. figs. 1, 3, 4. — molurus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 331. India; Ceylon. The Python, or Rock-snake, grows to twenty feet. Specimens •of ten feet or more were procurable in the Cinnamo'n Gardens only

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ten years ago, but they seem to have become extinct with the extension of the city. A fiue skeleton is mounted.

50 Chersydrus granulatus, Schneider. Chersydrus fasc.iatus, Cuv. R. A. granulatus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 336. Eastern coasts of Southern India through the Malayan Peninsula to new Guinea.

Three specimens, no locality, presented by Sir C. P.Layard; one specimen, from Jaffna, presented by Hawtrey Thwaites, Esq ; one specimen, from Colombo, purchased in 1886.

51 Naja tripudians, Merrem. Coluber Naja, Linn. S. N., p. 221. Naja tripudians, Gray Ind. Zool. Schleg. Pliys. Serp. II., p. 466, pi. 17. Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 223. Rept. Brit. Ind., p 338. Kayr. Than. Ind., p. 6, pis. I.-VI. Ewart Pois. Snakes, p. 7, pl. I. India to China. The Cobra.

52 Bungarus c^rdlf.us, Schneider. Bungarus lineatus, Gthr. Cat. Col. Snakes, p. 217. cseruleus, Gthr. Kept. Brit. Ind., p. 243. Fayr. 'Jhan. Ind., p. 11. pl. x. Ewart Pois. Snakes, p. 17., pl. iv. India ; Ceylon. Three specimens, no localities.

53 Bungarus cetlonicus, Giinther. Bungarus fasciatus var. B., Gthr. Col. Snakes, p. 221. eeylonicus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 344. Ceylon. Four specimens, one from Dimbula. Mr. Ferguson (loc. cit., p. 22) doubts the specific I'ank of this species, and is inclined to consider it a variety of B. casrubeus. Although the collection happens to be short of specimens, neither of these forms are uncommon. They are very deadly, and as they simulate in colour harmless species, such as Lycodon aulicus and Cercaspis carinata, and have an unpleasant habit of hiding themselves amongst boxes in storerooms and about stables, they are even more dangerous than the Cobra itself.

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54 Callophis trimacolatus, Daudin. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Intl., p. 350. Tennasserim ; Bengal; Ceylon. One specimen found on the bund of tire Tissamaharama tank, in March, 1877. I was able to note tlie colour of this very rare snake during life :—Belly below head rich mauve, gradating to pale yellow, then increasing to orange ; crimson just before vent; immediately behind vent deep velvety black ; pearly-gray to tip of tail. Upper parts golden-gray, with a black head, a black spot on the apex of each scale, and two black rings on the tail, which are variegated with yellow ; there are also two yellow spots on the head, and a few fainter markings. When captured it was making for the water with its tail curved over in such a way as to carry the crimson and black anal spot uppermost.

55 Hydrophis jerdonii, Gray. Fayr. Than. Ind., p. 20, pi. xx. Ewart. Pois. Snakes, p. 41, pi. xiv. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 362, pi. xxv., fig. B. Madras ; Penang ; Ceylon. One specimen, Colombo, purchased.

56 Hydrophis stokesii, Gray. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 363. Northern Australia; Ceylon. Skeleton : length 4 ft. 11 in., girth 12 in. Found near the Pearl Banks, and presented by Capt. J. Donnan. In spirits : length 5 ft. 3 in., girth 9 in. Colombo, purchased. Skin : Colombo, purchased. Young: in spirits, Colombo, presented by Master J. Robertson.

57 Hydrophis spiralis, Shaiv. Gthr, Rept. Brit. Ind,, p. 316, pi. xxv., fig. D. Indian Ocean. 5 ft. long, Colombo, purchased. 4 ft. 6 in. long, Colombo, purchased. Young : Colombo, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq.

58 Hydrophis cyanocincta, Daudin. Hydrophis striata, Sclileg. Pliys, Serp. II., p. 302, pi. xviii., figs. 4 and 5.

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sublasris, Tennent Nat;. Hist. Ceylon, p. 311, e. fig. cyanocinetn, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Jnd , p. 367. Fayr. Than. Ind., p. 26, pi. xxiii. Ewart Pois. Snakes, pi. xvii. Bay of Bengal to Japan. 6 ft. long, presented by tlie Royal Asiatic Society (C. B.). Young : Colombo, presented by Mr. D. M. Fanditeratne.

59 Hydrophis chloris, Daudin.

Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 370. Fayr. Than. Ind., p. 27, pi. xxvii. Ewart Pois. Snakes, p.—no plate. Madras; Benang ; Ceylon. No specimens.

60 Hydrophis gracilis, Shaw. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 373. Madras; Java; Ceylon. One specimen, presented by the Royal Asiatic Society ((J, B.).

61 Hydrophis i.apejioides, Gray. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 375. Madras; Ceylon. No specimens. The type from Ceylon is in the British Museum.

62 Hydrophis ellioti, Giinther. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 377. One specimen from Galle, purchased in 1885.

63 Hydrophis curta, Shaio. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 379. Fayr. Than. Ind., p. 27, pi. XXIY. Madras; Ceylon. From the Pearl Banks, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq. One specimen presented by the Royal Asiatic Society (C. B.),

64 Hydrophis holdsworthii, Giinther. " Also found at the Fearl Banks."—Ferguson loc. cit., p. 24.

65 Pelamis bicolor, Schneider. Hydrophis pelamis, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 508, pi. XVIII., figs. 13-15. 47—S6 d

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Pelamis bicolor, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 382. Fayr. Than. Ind., p. 25, pi. XVII. Ewart. Pois. Snakes, pi. II. Indian and Pacific Oceans. Common.

66 Trimeresures trigonocephalus, Merrem. Trigonocephaly nigromarginatus, Sclileg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 531, pi. XIX., figs. 14 and 15. trigonocephalus, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 390. Ceylon. The Green Polonga. Common. The Museum possesses speci¬ mens from 4,000 feet down to the sea-coast.

67 Hypnale nepa, Laurenti. Trigonocephalus hypnale, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 550, pi. XX., figs. 6 and 7. Hypnale nepa, Gthr, Itept. Brit. Ind., p. 394. Fayr. Than. Ind., p. 22, pi. XVII. Ewart Pois and Snakes, p. 33, pi. II. Southern India ; Ceylon. The " Karawala," or Carawilla, common both in the hills and in the low-country. 68 Daboia russellii, Shaw. Vipera elegans, Schleg. Phys. Serp. II., p. 588, pi. XXI., figs. 4 and 5. Daboia russellii, Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 396. Fayr. Than. Ind., p. 14, pi. II. Ewart Pois. Snakes, p. 21, pi. V. India; Ceylon. The Tic-polonga ; very common. Capt. Lloyd Williams sent a specimen of this snake for identification, which he had picked up in the middle of the Putlam backwater whilst crossing over to Kalpitiya ; it is, therefore, evidently a good swimmer. The Captaiu was bitten by it in the finger, but fortunately the fangs missed, and no bad effects ensued.

69 Echis carinata, Merrem. Gthr. Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 397. Fayr. Than. Ind., p. 15, pi. XII. Ewart Pois. Snakes, p. 23, pi. VI, India; Ceylon. Two specimens (very bad state) from Mullaitlvu, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq.

GBOUGE J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, COLOMBO, CEYLON.

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