THE rOliSONOUS SNAKES OP INDIA. 



53 



LACEESIS HUCEOSQTTAMATTJS-Tlie Formosau Viper. 



TdentificatMn. — The scales in the posterior part of the body number 

 21 or 19, the nasal not united to 

 the 1st labial, and the presence 

 of a suboGuIar establish the 

 diagnosis, but all three characters 

 must co-exist. 



Supplementary characters. In- 

 ternasals. — A pair separated by 

 from 2 to 4 small scales. 

 Supraocular — A single shield. 

 Nasal — Not united with the 1st 

 labial, one or more minute scales 

 intercalated between it and the 

 2nd labial. Sul'ocular not touch- 

 ing the 3rd labial, 2nd lahial 

 with a furrow in its upper part 



JZh^ 



Fig. 



-Lachesis mucroBquamatas 

 (nat, size). 



directed into the loreal pit. ScaleS' — Anterior, 25 to 27; midbody, 23 

 to 27 ; posterior, 19 to 21. 



Distribution. — Naga Hills, Assam ; also Formosa. 

 Poison. — Nothing known. 



Dimensions. — Grows to 3^ feet. 



Colour. — Brownish with 3 longitudinal series of blackish spots, the 

 vertebral series being the largest. Belly mottled brownish and white, or 

 uniform whitish. 



LACHESIS JESDONl-Jeraon's Viper. 



Id'^ntifi cation. — The subocular 

 touchino; the 3rd labial together 

 with 7 to 8 supralabials make 

 diagnosis certain. 



Supplementanj ch aracters. 

 Tnternasals. — A pair, separated 

 by from 1 to 3 small scales. 

 Supraocular — A single shield 

 preceded by an enlarged shiold 

 peculiar to this species. Nasal 

 not united with 1st labial ; 

 small scales may or may not be 

 intercalated between it and the 



Fn;. 33.— -Lachesis jerdoni (nat. size). 



