74 VENOMS 
on the body in 33—41 rows, strongly keeled ; lateral scales shghtly 
oblique ; 125—140 ventrals ; 17—33 subcaudals. 
This viper, which often attains a length of 1,200 millimetres, is 
brown, with a vertebral series of quadrangular, yellowish, or light 
brown spots connected by black markings ; the belly is dull yellow, 
with small brown or blackish spots. 
Habitat: Tropical Africa (West Africa, from Liberia to Damara- 
land ; Zanzibar, Mozambique). 
This species, which is nocturnal, is often met with on the 
Gaboon, and in the forests near the banks of the Ogowai. Its 
head is enormous, triangular in shape, and wider above; it has 
a bulky body, and a very short tail, terminating abruptly in a 
point. 
The Gaboon Viper is a savage snake, with very active venom, 
and its poison-glands are of the size of large almonds. It lives 
in virgin forests, among dead wood and rocks. I have several 
times met with it in manioc plantations on the edge of the woods. 
In broad daylight it is sluggish, moves somewhat slowly, and never 
attacks man. It bites only when surprised. 
(8) B. nasicornis (fig. 39). 
— Nostrils opening upwards 
and outwards. Head covered 
with small strongly keeled 
scales, smaller on the vertex, 
14—16 from one eye to the 
other; 2 or 3 pairs of com- 
pressed, erectile, horn - like 
shields between the supra- 
Fic. 39.—Bitis nasicornis. nasals, usually separated in 
(After Duméril and Bibron.) the middle by 1 or 2 series of 
small scales; 15—18 supra- 
labials; 4—6 infralabials. Scales on the body in 35—41 rows, 
strongly keeled ; 124—140 ventrals ; 16—32 subcaudals. 
Colour purple or reddish-brown above, with pale olive or dark 
