34 THE POISONOUS SNAKES OF INDIA. 



and touches 2 scales behind. Scales. ~2 heads lengths from head 17 

 (rarely 15) mid-body 15, 2 heads lengths in front of vent 15. Anal entire. 



Distribution. — It is found throughout our Indian domains (with the ex- 

 ception of Ceylon, and I believe Western Rajpootana, Sind, and the Pun- 

 jab?) in suitable localities, that is, in jungles or their vicinity. It occurs 

 in the plains, and in hilly regions up to an altitude of 7,000 feet at least. 



Poison. — Undoubtedly fatal to man, but it is remarkable that a copious 

 literature on this renowned snake, which is known to frequently show u 

 most aggressive spirit, should furnish so few records of its bite. Theobald* 

 saw a snake-charmer bitten by one in Buniiah die within a few minutes. 



Evanst mentions a case of a foolhardy Burman, believing himself 

 suake-poison-proof, teasing one belonging to a Shan snake-charmer. 

 He was bittten in the hand, and soon afterwards died. The same 

 observer also records another instance of a Burman being bitten by one 

 in the base of the index finger, with the result that he died shortly 

 afterwards. He also furnishes another case in which this time the 

 victim was a bnllock, which was bitten by a hamadryad which the 

 bullock cart passed over. The animal died soon afterwards. 



Raby Noblel mentions one 10 feet 1 inch in length (identified by 

 Mr. Phipson) making an unprovoked assanlt on a cooly woman in 

 Assam, seizing her by the leg, and maintaining its hold for at least 8 

 minutes, when it was beaten off. She was treated by a " Doctor 

 Babu " C treatment not specified), but succumbed in about 20 minutes. 

 The symptoms were local pain and swelling, vomiting, laboured 

 breathing and prostration. Theobald§ records, on the information of a 

 Burman, an elephant being bitten on the trunk by a hamadryad whilst 

 browsing on some foliage, with the result that death ensued in about 

 3 hours. Rogers^ estimates that the virulence of the poison is very 

 little inferior to that of the binocellate cobra. 



Dimensions. — The largest record I am aware of is that reported by 

 Phipson II The snake which was captured in the Konkan measuredt 

 15 feet 5 inches. Another of exactly similar length was reported in 

 the " Pioneer" September 4:th, ISl'G from Travancore by Lieut V. H. 

 Branson, 28th Madras Infantry. 



• Cat. Rept. Brit. BuTma, 1868, p. 61. t Bombay Nat. Hist. Jourl., Vol. XIV., p. 413- 

 J Bom. Nat. Hist. Jourl., Vol. XV., p. .S58. § Cat. Eept. Brit. Burma, 1868, p (>]. 

 H The Lancet, Feb. Gth, 1'.I04, p. 349. 1| Bombay Nat. Hist. Jourl., Vol. II., p. 245. 



