ECHIS. 
Echis carinata. 
Of the genus Hehis, the Hchis carinata is the only Indian species. 
It prevails in the North-West Provinces, Punjab, Rajputana, Central 
India, Sind, and in some parts of the Madras Presidency. About Delhi 
its indigenous name is “ Aftie” (Fayrer). By Russell it is figured under 
the name of “ Horatta Pam.” Jn Sind it is known as the “ Kuppur.” 
The genus is described by Giinther as follows :—“ Head covered with 
keeled scales; a pair of very small frontals behind the rostral shield. 
Nostril small, round, directed upwards, situated in a large nasal shield, 
which is subdivided behind the nostril. Sides of the head covered with 
keeled scales, two series of which are between the eye and the low 
upper labials. Scales much imbricate, strongly keeled, in from twenty- 
five to twenty-nine series ; those in the lateral series have their tips 
directed obliquely downwards.” ‘ With these they make the rustling 
sound” (Fayrer). ‘Sub-caudals one-rowed.” The species Echis cari- 
nata is described by Giinther as follows :—‘ Brown or brownish grey, 
with a series of sub-quadrangular or ovate whitish spots, edged with 
blackish brown ; a sub-semicircular whitish band on each side of each of 
the dorsal spots, enclosing a round, dark brown lateral spot. A pair of 
oblong brown, black edged spots on the crown of the head, convergent 
anteriorly ; a brown spot below, and an oblique broad streak behind the 
eye. Belly whitish, with more or less numerous round brown specks. 
Ventrals, 149-154; sub-caudals, 21-26.” 
“The Kchis,” says Sir Joseph Fayrer, “is fierce and aggressive. It 
is always on the defensive, ready to attack; it throws itselfinto a 
double coil, the folus or which are in perpetual motion, and as they rub 
against each other, they make a loud rustling sound, very like hissing. 
This sound is produced by the three or four outer rows of carinated 
