ECHIS CARINATA. 397 



up into a series of scales in the latter. I have observed numerous Indian examples in which 

 the supraciliary region is scaly as in E. arenicola, and I have seen specimens of the latter 

 with an entire supraciliary shield, so that this difference cannot be regarded as of specific 

 value. Both, indeed, are extremely closely allied to each other, and the chief diiference 

 between them appears to be a somewhat increased number of ventral shields in the African 

 form, viz. 167-180. 



ECHIS CARINATA. 



Pseudoboa carinata*, Schneid. Hist. Amph. ii. p. 285. 

 Horatta Pam, Russell, lad. Serp. i. pi. 2. 

 Echis carinata, Merr. Tent. p. 149. 



Brown or brownish grey, with a series of subquadrangular or ovate whitish spots, edged 

 with blackish brown ; a subsemicircular whitish band on each side of each of the dorsal 

 spots, enclosing a round dark-brown lateral spot. A pair of oblong brown, black-edged 

 spots on the cro\vn of the head, convergent anteriorly ; a brown spot below, and an oblique 

 broad streak behind the eye. Belly whitish, with more or less numerous round brown specks. 

 Ventrals 149-154; subcaudals 21-26. 



This little venomous snake is common in many parts of the peninsula of India — in the 

 Anamallay Mountains, in the Carnatic, and in the vicinity of Madras ; the largest specimen I 

 have observed is 20 inches long, the tail measuring 2^ inches. I have never found anything 

 in its stomach but Scolopendrae. It is thoroughly terrestrial and viviparous. No case is 

 known of its bite having proved fatal. 



* Dr. Gray considers Boa krait, Williams, Asiat. Res. ii. p. 328, as a synonym of this species, but it is 

 evidently a Bungarus. 



