THE POISONOUS SNAKES OF INDIA. 3 



make the paper useful to the medical profession as well as to the 

 naturalist. 



The abbreviations marked on the shields in the outline figures attached 

 to these papers are the same throughout, and read as follows : — 



Roman numerals — Infralabials. 



With reference to midhody the pomt indicated is midway between 

 the snout and the anus or vent (a transverse slit in the hinder part of 

 the belly, see fig 9). Anterior with reference to scales indicates a point 

 2 head lengths behind the head ; posterior similarly implies a point 

 2 head lengths in front of the vent. 



The conception of a poisonous snake, as alluded to hereafter, 

 demands some remarks on the classification of these reptiles. 



Mr. Boulenger considers the Ophidia (snakes) a Suborder of the 

 Order Squamata (which includes lizards and chameleons). He divides 

 snakes into nine families based on osteological peculiarities which can 

 only be made apparent by the minutest and most careful dissection or 

 disintegration of the soft tissues, and hence are of far too complicated a 

 character for the general enquirer to readily investigate or comprehend. 

 I venture to think the same end may be equally well attained by 

 attention to external characters alone. The recommendation for such 

 a method is obvious, since it enables the' enquirer to ascertain at a 

 glance the requisite points by an examination of the creature as it lies 



