326 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



this is absolutely the most sinister in its aspect. The 

 eyes are silvery white, with an elliptical pupil, and the 

 reptile's glassy stare is strangely fascinating. Steadily 

 inspected, the snake becomes uneasy, slowly shifting the 

 few loops of its bloated body, then begins blowing with 

 steady rhythm. At the expiration of each breath the 

 head is slightly flattened, resuming its normal outlines 

 at the next intake of air; the effect becomes uncanny 

 and might lead the novice to believe the strange reptile 

 is actually making horrible "faces" to frighten the ob- 

 server away. 



The pattern is difficult to describe, but rich and attrac- 

 tive, like a design of expert weaving. On the back 

 is a series of oblong, buff markings, these inclosed within 

 irregular brown rhombs. The pattern described is 

 again enclosed by a chain of irregular, purplish mark- 

 ings. In the center of the back the patches of brown, 

 within the purplish chain-like markings, connect the 

 oblong blotches by figures in outline like an hour glass. 

 On the sides are triangular purplish blotches margined 

 with brown. The head is pale brown; from the tip of 

 the snout to the neck is a dark streak. From beneath 

 each eye are two broad dark bands. 



To impart an idea of the truly eccentric form of the 

 Gaboon Viper, the following measurements of an adult 

 specimen are given; note the extremely thick body for 

 the length: — 



Total length 31 inches. 



Length of tail 3 inches. 



Girth of body 7 inches. 



Width of head 2y 4 inches. 



Diameter of neck immediately behind head % f an inch. 

 Length of head 2*4 inches. 



Some specimens have a pair of blunt horns on the 

 snout. 



