12 NAJA. 



following list was furnished by a very intelligent Mohammedan, who has 

 had much experience, and who, though not a snake-catcher originally by 

 profession, has been one for several years, and is exceedingly expert in 

 catching and handling these reptiles. The first great distinction made 

 by these people is between cobras with spectacles on the hood, or 

 ' Gokurrahs,' and those with one ocellus or other mark on the hood, 

 named ' Keautiahs.' They maintain that these are distinct species, 

 and that they vary considerably not only in appearance, but in habits 

 and properties. Some gokurrahs, however, have no mark on the hood. 



" The Gokurrah has the following varieties : — 



" 1. Kala, black ; 2. Koyah, black and white ; 3. Gomunah, wheat- 

 coloured ; 4. Puddah, yellow coloured ; 5. Dudiah, whitish coloured ; 

 6. Tentuliah, tamarind seed coloured ; 7. Kurrees, earthy coloured ; 8. 

 Tameshur, copper coloured ; 9. Puddun nag, golden coloured. The 2nd, 

 3rd, and 7th are the most common varieties about Calcutta. 



" The Keautiah has the following : — 



" 1. Kala, black ; 2. Tentuliah, tamarind seed coloured ; 3. Kurrees, 

 earthy coloured ; 4. Sonera, gold coloured ; 5. Dudiah, whitish coloured ; 

 6. Bans-buniah, mottled white and black ; 7. Giribungha, brownish 

 coloured ; 8. Koyah, black and white coloured ; 9. Sankha-mookhi, like 

 the Sankni or Bungarus fasciatus, black and yellow. The Cobra is 

 called in many parts of Hindostan 'Kala samp,' 'Nag samp.' The 1st, 

 2nd, and 6th are most common about Calcutta, and no doubt in different 

 parts of Bengal many other varieties are described, and different names 

 are given to those above-mentioned, for the natives are fond of refining 

 on points of this kind. " 



