76 ; OPHIDIANS. 
their bites. They are probably ovoviviparous. Dr. Giin- 
ther thinks the degree of danger in case of a bite depends 
upon the size and fierceness of the snake. acts do not seem 
to warrant this conclusion, but the experiments with poisons 
point decidedly to the Cobra poison as the most deadly, and 
as being unique in its action; but there are well-authenticated 
eases of the South American Echis striata producing death in 
less than three minutes, and this is a snake not more than 17” 
to 20’’ long, and $”’ in diameter, but with disproportionately 
large fangs. One thing that is peculiar to this species is that 
they adapt their color to the locality in which they live, like 
the well-known tree toad. 
Crotalus Trimeresurus gramineus.—This is described as the 
Boodroo Pam by Dr. Russell, under two varieties. 
Vipera viridis, Daud, Rept. 
“¢  gramin., Cantor. 
Trimeres. viridis, Gray. 
i elegans, “ 
Coluber gramineus, Shaw. 
Trimeres. gram., Giinther. 
Common in Assam and the Khasya hills. 
Length from 18// to 32/’; tail 23/”; abdominal scuta 158 to 170; sub- 
eaudal squame 58to71. Scales on the head are small and smooth, or in- 
distinctly keeled. Color of a black grass-green, lighter on sides, and 
greenish-white on belly; tail is sometimes red ; a yellowish or brick-red 
line runs along this outer series of scales. It issmaller than the Trimeres. 
carinatus. 
Crotalus Trimeres. erythrurus. 
Trigonocephalus erythrurus, Cantor. 
Trimeres. albolabris, Gray. 
Trigonocephalus viridis, Schleg. 
