NAJA. 
Naja Tripudians—Cobra—Cobra di Capello, 
Naja.—The following description is given of the genus by Giinther: 
—‘ Body and tail of moderate length; belly flat; head rather high and 
short, not very distinct from neck, which is very dilatable, the anterior 
ribs being elongate. The shields of the head normal, but the loreal is 
absent. Nostrils wide, lateral, between two shields; eye of moderate 
size, with round pupil. One pre-, three, sometimes two or four post- 
oculars. Six upper labials, the third and fourth entering the orbit ; the 
third forms the lower half of the anterior margin of the orbit. Scales 
smooth, much imbricate, in numerous series round the hood. Anal 
entire. Sub-caudals two-rowed. The fang is grooved, with foramen at 
its extremity; one or two small ordinary teeth at a short distance 
behind it.” 
The manners and customs, &c., distribution and varieties of the 
genus are admirably described by Sir Joseph Fayrer in the following 
quotation from the Thanatophidia:—‘ There are several varieties, 
each having a distinct name given to it by the natives. They are all 
most deadly, and though the snake-charmers consider some more 
poisonous than others, it is probable that any difference that may exist 
is more due to the vigour of the individual snake than to anything 
attributable to the particular variety. They all have the hood, and 
never attack without distending it. They raise the anterior third of 
the body from the ground, slide slowly along on the posterior two- 
_ thirds, and with the hood dilated remain on the alert, darting the head 
forward to the attack when anything hostile approaches. This attitude 
is very striking, and few objects are more calculated to inspire awe than 
a large cobra, when with his hood erect, hissing loudly, and his eyes 
glaring, he prepares to strike. Nevertheless, they are not, I believe, 
er 
