﻿VIPERA 255 



although smaller than in an average V. hems; the 

 parietals are in contact with the frontal, between 

 which and the supraoculars two series of scales 

 intervene. The supraocular, as in F. berus, ex- 

 tends backwards considerably beyond the vertical 

 of the eye. Eleven scales round the eye ; two series 

 of scales between the eye and the labials. Temporal 

 scales smooth. Upper labials nine, fourth and fifth 

 below the eye. Scales in twenty-one rows, outer 

 row smooth. Ventrals 159 ; subcaudals 31. 



Grey -brown above, with a reddish -brown or 

 mahogany-coloured zigzag vertebral band and a 

 lateral series of paler reddish-brown spots ; temporal 

 band ill-defined in front ; no markings on the upper 

 surface of the head ; lips pinkish, with a few reddish- 

 brown spots. Ventral shields pale brownish, finely 

 speckled or powdered with blackish, and with small 

 whitish spots on the free edge and reddish brown spots 

 on the sides. Tail orange red below. Iris fire 

 red. 



Total length 2 feet 2 J inches ; tail 2f inches. 



Distribution. — The typical form is known from 

 Northern Venetia, Austria-Hungary (Styria, Carin- 

 thia, Southern Tyrol, Carniola, Illyria, Istria, Croatia, 

 Slavonia, and eastward through Southern Hungary 

 to Transylvania), Dalmatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, 

 Montenegro, Albania, and Servia. In the Alps up to 

 1,300 feet, in the Balkan Peninsula up to 7,500 feet. 

 The var. montandoni inhabits Roumania and Bulgaria. 



