ANCISTRODON 261 



On Milos, Dr. de Bedriaga observed this much- 

 dreaded snake, the bite of which is probably as bad 

 as that of its Indian ally, the Daboia, V, russelli, to 

 occur frequently in gardens, and to crawl about 

 near houses in villages after sunset. The same 

 observer has noted a sort of valvular closing of 

 the nostril through raising of the posterior part of 

 the nasal shield when the snake prepares to strike. 



The food consists principally of mammals up to 

 the size of a rabbit. 



Reproduction. — According to Doumergue's obser- 

 vations in Algeria, the young, up to thirteen in 

 number, are born in May and June. 



Genus ANCISTRODON, Palisot de Beauvois 



Head distinct from neck, its upper surface covered 

 with large shields, as in the normal Colnbridcz ; a 

 loreal pit ; eye moderate or small, with vertical 

 pupil. Body moderately elongate or short. Scales 

 keeled (or smooth), with apical pits. Tail moderate 

 or short. 



This genus is distributed over nearly the whole 

 of Asia, the eastern parts of the United States of 

 America, and Mexico and Central America. One 

 of the Asiatic species just penetrates into South- 

 Eastern Europe, and is the sole representative of 

 the Crotalinae in this part of the world. 



