BROWN COBRA. BRUIN KAPELL. 17 
1S) 
they are all of the one species. In the Western Province of the 
Cape Colony we find the black variety. In the Eastern Province 
four varieties occur, the two commonest being the yellow and the 
brown. 
VARIETY A. 
YELLOW COBRA, GEEL KAPELL. 
Bright yellow, sometimes tinged with reddish. In some of 
the individuals a few of the scales are rich umber brown, giving 
the reptile a speckled appearance. Some adult specimens which 
Fic. 73.—A Yellow Cape Cobra. (Photo by W. C. Scully.) 
I have examined and measured, were over six feet in length, and 
bright yellow, without any darker markings. 
In young specimens there is a rich shiny chestnut or umber- 
brown patch, sometimes divided, on the throat. This either 
becomes very indistinct or fades from view when the snake reaches 
maturity, although I have found if the scales be removed, it is 
still clearly visible beneath. When kept long in captivity the 
Yellow Cobra invariably becomes much darker, and more like 
the Brown variety. The eyes are reddish brown. An excellent 
illustration of a young yellow variety of cobra will be found in 
the Addenda. 
VARIETY B. 
Brown CospraA. BRUIN KAPELL. 
Bright umber- brown, changing to duller brown. Some 
individuals are mottled with lighter tints of a gamboge-yellow 
colour. In captivity the colour usually fades to uniform reddish 
brown, and the shiny gloss is not so apparent. 
