﻿26o VIPERID^ 



and Algeria, the back has three series of very large 

 dark brown or reddish-brown spots, separated by a 

 network of the yellowish ground colour, or the 

 middle series may be transformed into a wavy or 

 zigzag band. The scales in this variety are usually 

 in twenty-seven rows, instead of twenty-five (rarely 

 twenty-three) as in the typical form. 



Size. — This species, the largest of European 

 Vipers, grows to a length of 4J feet. 



Distribution. — The' European habitat of V. lebetina 

 is restricted to the Cyclades, where it is not un- 

 common on the island of Tinos, and appears to be 

 found also on Kimoli. It is common on Cyprus, 

 where it is called Kufi, or Deaf Snake, and extends 

 from Syria and Asia Minor through Transcaucasia, 

 Mesopotamia, Persia, Northern Baluchistan, to 

 Afghanistan and Cashmere. It is further found on 

 the Atlas of Morocco and Algeria, near Oran and 

 Bona, and in Tunisia. Its reported occurrence in 

 Egypt has not been confirmed by recent investi- 

 gations. 



Habits. — According to M. Doumergue — who has 

 had ample opportunities of observing this Viper near 

 Oran, where it is common — it is a nocturnal reptile, 

 rarely moving about in the daytime. It inhabits 

 rocky localities, where there is brushwood, and 

 vineyards. During the day it remains sluggish 

 under large stones. It is most frequently met with 

 in April and May. 



