VIPERA 227 



older females from eight to eighteen ; but a large 

 female from Lower Austria is reported to have con- 

 tained as many as twenty-two. The length of the 

 new-born young is from 5 to 6 inches, and it grows 

 rapidly within the first week, probably through 

 stretching out, without taking any food. 



According to Captain Veith, the form described as 

 V. macrops brings forth only from three to five 

 young. 



22. VlPERA RENARDI, Christoph 



Renard's Viper 



Form. — Similar to the preceding species, but snout 

 more pointed, the raised canthi rostrales meeting at 

 an acute angle. Eye usually as large as in V. bents, 

 nearly as large as the nasal shield; its horizontal 

 diameter equal to its distance from the posterior or 

 anterior border of the nostril, its vertical diameter 

 equal to or a little less than its distance from the 

 mouth. Length of tail seven and a half to nine times 

 in total length in males, eight to ten times in 

 females. 



Head-Shields. — Rostral as deep as broad or a little 

 deeper than broad, just visible from above, and in 

 contact with a single apical shield. Distinct frontal 

 and (usually) parietal shields, the former once and 

 two-thirds to twice and one-third as long as broad, as 

 long as or longer than its distance from the end of the 

 snout, usually longer than the parietals ; the latter 



