342 OPHIDIA. 



across, being wider than on the back ; in a second specimen, of which the locality is un- 

 known, the belly is white, each ventral having a blackish margin. 



This remarkable snake, although rather rare, has a very wide geographical range : it has 

 been found in almost every part of the Indian continent, in the Andaman Islands, in Java, 

 Sumatra, Borneo, in the Philippine Islands, and, according to Dumeril, also in New Guinea. 

 It is one of the largest and most deadly venomous snakes, attaining to a length of more than 

 12 feet, of which the tail is about one-fifth. It inhabits hollow trees, and is sometimes found 

 resting between the branches ; it feeds on other snakes. 



BUNGARUS, Baud. 



Body rather elongate ; tail comparatively short ; head more or less dilated, 

 depressed, with broad, rounded muzzle, scarcely distinct from neck, which is 

 not dilatable. Nostril between two nasals. Loreal none ; one pree-, two 

 post-oculars. Scales smooth, moderately imbricate, disposed in oblique rows, 

 forming fifteen longitudinal series round the body ; those of the vertebral 

 series are very broad, hexagonal. Ventrals between 200 and 250 ; anal and 

 subcaudals entire. Maxillary with a fang in front, which is perforated at the 

 end, showing a longitudinal groove in front ; a second, small, simple tooth at 

 some distance behind the fang. 



All the species occur on the continent of India ; they are extremely closely allied to one 

 another, so that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish species from varieties. We first give 

 a general description. 



The body is subcylindrical and rather slender, the head depressed, scarcely distinct from 

 neck, the tail short. Eye small, with round pupil. Rostral shield broader than high, 

 reaching to the upper surface of the snout; anterior frontals half the size of posterior; 

 vertical five-sided ; occipitals tapering behind. Nostril rather wide, between two nasals ; one 

 prseocular, not extending on to the upper surface of the snout ; two postoculars. Seven upper 

 labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit, the fifth and sixth the largest. Temporals 

 rather small, 1 + 2 -f 3. Scales without apical groove. 



The name of the genus has been derived from a vernacular name, Bungarum, used on 

 some parts of the coast of Coromandel. The Bungarums are terrestrial snakes, feeding on 

 small mammals, lizards, small snakes, and toads. Although diurnal, yet, like all Indian 

 serpents, they prefer the shade to the sun. They are shy and attempt to escape, but when 

 attacked they defend themselves fiercely : Cantor says that they are capable of darting nearly 

 the anterior half of the body. Their bite is always very dangerous ; but the magnitude of 



