SNAKES FROM THE KHASI HILLS, ASSAM. 313 



Institution since 1902 (prior to which there are no records), all re- 

 covered, and were discharged in from one to five days. 



At the altitude of Shillong at least 10, possibly all of the 12 poison- 

 ous species recorded from Assam, may be met with. These are as 

 follows : — (1) Bungarus bungaroides, (2) B. fasciatus, (3) B. lividus, 

 (4) Naia tripudians, (5) N. bungarus, (6) Callophis macclellar<di, (7) 

 Ancistrodon himalayanus, (8) Lachesis monticola, (9) L. jerdoni, (10) 

 L. mucrosquamatus, (11) L. purpureomaculatus, (12) L. gramineus, 



I am not aware of Nos. 2 and 3 having been met with at this 

 elevation, but see no reason why an occasional specimen should not 

 occur, seeing that I obtained one specimen of Naia tripudians in Shil- 

 long and saw a specimen of Bungarus fasciatus which had been killed 

 on the Ghat road, at an elevation of probably about 3,000 feet. 



Of the 12 poisonous species at present known and just enumerated, 

 only two are common, viz., Lachesis monticola and Callophis macclel- 

 landi. With the exception of Lachesis gramineus which holds an in- 

 termediate position, all the other varieties are decidedly uncommon. 

 I think there can be little doubt that Lachesis monticola is responsible 

 for a very large majority of the cases of snake-poisoning which occur. 

 Its abundance, its quick temper, and the swiftness with which it unhe- 

 sitatingly inflicts a bite justify such a conclusion : and this is amply 

 confirmed by the reports of the Khasis who very consistently de- 

 clared its evil reputation ; and though the names they gave to other 

 species were notably inconsistent, they all were unanimous in calling 

 this " B'sein longkru." Callophis macclellandi appears to be a very 

 peaceably inclined creature, if not actually timid. It rarely attains a 

 length of 2 feet, but of course length has little bearing on the viru- 

 lence of a poison. Repeated enquiries failed to elicit any informa- 

 tion with regard to its bite which I think significant. A snake so 

 common and at the same time so striking in appearance could, I think, 

 hardly escape an evil reputation if serious consequences or death 

 attended its bite. It is noteworthy that the records available of the 

 cases of snakebite admitted into the Civil Hospital show that in no 

 case were any constitutional symptoms observed, though local effects 

 were usually pronounced. This points to a viperine type of poisoning 

 rather than a colubrine, and adds support to the supposition that 

 Lachesis monticola is to be blamed rather than Callophis macclellandi 

 for the majority of casualties due to snake-poisoning. 



