174 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
VARIETY C, 
Light olive brown, with a yellowish tinge. Skin between 
the scales light yellow. A few odd scales a rich umber brown. 
(This variety is uncommon.) 
VARIETY D. 
BLACK COBRA. SpuuG KAPELL. 
Shiny purplish black. The livid purplish tinge is most pro- 
nounced on the under parts. This variety possesses the power 
of “spitting ”’ in a similar manner to the Ringhals, but in a much 
lesser degree. I have never personally seen them “‘ spit,’’ but 
the evidence seems to be so strong on the point that it is reason- 
able to conclude they do. I have tried many scores of times to 
get the two other varieties to “ spit,” but have never succeeded. 
VARIETY E. 
Dark mahogany with a blackish tinge. Speckled sparingly 
with yellow. (This variety is uncommon.) 
THE CoBra’s Hoop. 
The Cobra does not expand its hood by puffing out the skin 
with air, as most people believe. In the region of the neck, the 
ribs are elongated, lengthening to their maximum length, then 
gradually shortening, forming a sort of crescent on each side of the 
neck. The skin of the neck is loose and flabby. When the snake 
is at rest the ribs are depressed, the skin falls into folds, and no 
hood is visible. If the reptile be irritated or alarmed, the head 
and fore portion of the body is reared, the ribs in the neck-region 
are raised, which in turn elevate and spread the skin, and we see 
the ‘hood.’ It is evidently intended by Nature to aid the 
Cobra in frightening off its enemies. With hood expanded and 
bright glistening eyes and skin, rearing amongst the stubble and 
ready to strike, the Cobra is truly a terrifying sight. 
The Cobras, which include the Ringhals, are the only South 
