170 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Scales in 25 rows. g upper labials; upper 
anterior temporal twice as long as the 
lower .. ae a2 .. Dendvaspis mamba. 
I. DENDRASPIS ANGUSTICEPS. Mamba or Tree Cobra. 
Synonyms—Naja angusticeps ; Chlorechis angusticeps ; Dendraspis 
intermedius ; Dinophis angusticeps. 
Colour—Green, olive or blackish, uniform or some of the scales edged 
with black; yellowish or pale green beneath; caudal scales 
and shields not black-edged. 
A. Uniform dark olive or blackish above. Yellowish-white beneath. 
B. Uniform leaf-green above, shading into lighter green below. 
Some specimens are bright greenish-blue. 
Average length—6 to g feet. Attains a length of 13 feet. 
Distribution—Natal; Zululand; Transvaal; Southern Rhodesia ; 
East and Central Africa. 
2. DENDRASPIS MAMBA. Gough’s Mamba. 
Colour—Dark olive-green above, bluish-green below, skin between the 
scales very dark purple. 
Distribution—Transvaal. 
THE CAPE CoBRA (Nava flava). 
ALSO KNOWN AS THE GEEL SLANG, BRUIN SLANG, SPOEG SLANG. 
The Cape Cobra is common all over the Cape Colony. Farther 
north in Natal, Transvaal, and more northern parts of South 
Africa, the Banded or Egyptian Cobra, Black-necked Cobra, and 
Anchieta’s Cobra take its place. 
The Cape Cobra is universally feared, and well it might be, 
for it is a highly venomous, bold and courageous snake. When 
molested it instantly faces its foe, with body reared and hood 
expanded. If tormented it works itself up into a furious rage, 
and will not hesitate to attack its aggressor. During the pairing 
season the male is particularly aggressive, and will boldly face 
and often chase any one intruding into its haunts. As a general 
rule, when molested, the Cobra will rear in a threatening manner, 
and, seizing its opportunity, glides off amongst the grass, under- 
growth, or into crevices or holes. If chased it will always rear 
and face its enemy whenever he gets within a few yards of it. 
A friend once ventured into a kloof in search of wild flowers. 
He was suddenly confronted by a large yellow variety of Cape 
Cobra. He lost his nerve and ran. The Cobra followed, and he, 
not being able to make much progress in the tangled bush, was 
overtaken and bitten. We saw him staggering towards the 
