46 VENOMS 



with small keeled scales. The nostril, which is large and laterally 

 placed, is surrounded by three shields and soft smooth skin. 



The species is found throughout India, from Bombay to Bengal, 

 in Ceylon, Burma, and Siam. It is particularly common in Burma, 

 around Kangoon. For walking in the jungle and rice-fields, the 

 natives of this region encase their feet and legs in a special kind of 

 jack-boots made of coarse jute-cloth, in order to protect themselves 

 from the bites of this snake, which cause a large number of fatal 

 accidents. 



The Daboia ascends the Himalayas to an altitude of 5,250 feet. 

 It lives in thickets, under stones, and in the clefts of rocks. When 

 disturbed it makes a terrible hissing, but bites only when attacked 

 or irritated. 



It feeds upon small vertebrates, such as mice, rats, birds, and 

 frogs, and often enters houses in pursuit of rats. 



" Schrott had the opportunity of observing" a Daboia on the 

 defensive. A lady carrying a child on her arm was returning home 

 towards evening ; she had almost reached her house when a bull- 

 dog accompanying her began to bark furiously. Although the lady 

 saw nothing, she was, nevertheless, frightened and called for help. 

 Schrott, who was not far away, ran to the spot, and saw a Daboia 

 lying across the path by which the lady had to proceed. The 

 reptile had its neck thrown back and its head in a horizontal 

 position ; its bright eyes followed all the movements of the dog, to 

 whose barks it replied by shrill hisses. It was only waiting for an 

 opportunity to strike. Schrott called off the dog, and the snake 

 at once disappeared among the high grass close by. Next day it 

 was killed at the same spot " {Brehm). 



The venom of this viper is terribly potent. According to Kussell, 

 a large dog exhibited symptoms of poisoning five minutes after 

 being bitten. At the end of a quarter of an hour it lay down, uttering 

 heartrending cries, began to breathe with difficulty and noisily, was 

 seized with spasms of the jaws and cramps, and died in frightful 

 agony less than half an hour after the wound was inflicted. Fowls 



