N A J A. 



Naja Tinpudians — Cobra — Cobra di Capello. 



Naja. — The following description is given of the genus by Glinther : 

 — " Body and tail of moderate length ; belly flat ; head rather high and 

 short, not very distinct from neck, which is very dilatable, the anterior 

 ribs being elongate. The shields of the head normal, but the loreal is 

 absent. Nostrils wide, lateral, between two shields ; eye of moderate 

 size, with round pupil. One prse-, three, sometimes two or four post- 

 oculars. Six upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit ; the 

 third forms the lower half of the anterior margin of the orbit. Scales 

 smooth, much imbricate, in numerous series round the hood. Anal 

 entire. Sub-caudals two-rowed. The fang is grooved, with foramen at 

 its extremity; one or two small ordinary teeth at a short distance 

 behind it." 



The manners and customs, &c, distribution and varieties of the 

 genus are admirably described by Sir Joseph Fayrer in the following 

 quotation from the Thanatophidia : — " There are several varieties, 

 each having a distinct name given to it by the natives. They are all 

 most deadly, and though the snake-charmers consider some more 

 poisonous than others, it is probable that any difference that may exist 

 is more due to the vigour of the individual snake than to anything 

 attributable to the particular variety. They all have the hood, and 

 never attack without distending it. They raise the anterior third of 

 the body from the ground, slide slowly along on the posterior two- 

 thirds, and with the hood dilated remain on the alert, darting the head 

 forward to the attack when anything hostile approaches. This attitude 

 is very striking, and few objects are more calculated to inspire awe than 

 a large cobra, when with his hood erect, hissing loudly, and his eyes 

 glaring, he prepares to strike. Nevertheless, they are not, I believe, 



c 



