JOURNAL 



OF THE 



BOMBAY 



Statural pistorg Bmri$. 



Vol. XVIII. BOMBAY. No. 1, 



A POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN 



SNAKES. 



Illustrated by Coloured Plates and Diagrams. 



By Major F. Wall, I.M.S., C.M.Z.S. 



Part V. with Plate V. 



( Continued from page 870 of Vol. XVII.) 



The Russell's Viper ( Viper a russellii). 



" Nomenclature. — Scientific. — The generic name is from the latin vivvs 

 alive, and parte I bring forth. It was first used scientifically by 

 Laurentiinhis work published in 1768. Daboia, another generic name 

 for a long time in use, and perhaps more familiar to many of an older 

 generation, was introduced by Count De La Cepedein his work published 

 in 1789.* The name " Le Daboie " was applied by him to a West 

 African viper of uncertain identity marked somewhat similarly to Rus- 

 sell's viper, in that it had 3 series of large oval spots. " Daboie" was 

 I believe, the local vernacular name for this snake. Later, Gray in 1 842 

 applied the same term, only latinised, to Russell's viper, which, it may 

 be remarked, does not occur in Africa. 



Specific. — This title commemorates the. name and fame of 

 Dr. Patrick Russell, a distinguished savant, and the pioneer of all snnfco 



» P. 255. 



