87 



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 IX with Plate IX and Diagram 1. 



{Continued from page 735 of Volume XVII J.) 



The Common Wolf-Snake (LYCODON AULiCUS). 



Nomenclature (a) Scientific. — The generic name (Gr. xuxo* wolf and 

 oSous tooth) originated with Ferrusac* in 1826, and has reference to the 

 long teeth in the upper and lower jaws which, from their situation 

 and superior length, resemble the canine teeth of wolves and dogs. It 

 is these long teeth which mislead many who inspect the mouth care- 

 lessly, into supposing the snake a venomous one. As a matter of 

 fact they are solid, nor canaliculate. 



The specific title (Latin=a house dweller) was introduced by Carl 

 Linne in 1754, and emphasises the fact that it is usually met with 

 inside habitations. 



(b) English. — The Common Wolf-Snake seems to me the best 

 name for it. 



(c) Vemacidar.— Though so common I know very few names for 

 it. It is frequently confused by natives with the krait, and known by 

 the same name locally as its poisonous relative. Thus Mr. DeAbreu 

 tells me it is called " krait " in Behar, Willeyf says it shares with 

 the Ceylon Krait (B. ceylonicus) the name "tel karawala " in Ceylon. 

 Baboo Awmoola Ruttum Bysack gives " kaurialla " as one of the 

 names for the common krait (B. cceruleus), but I think it is more 

 correctly applied to the common wolf-snake. I have heard this name 

 given several times, and it appears to refer to the marks on the back 

 resembling the little cowry shell, " kaurialla " or " kauriwalla " 

 implying a wearer of cowries. A European subordinate with some 

 knowledge of snakes told me that the common name in the Kheri 

 District (U. P.) for it is " garar ". In S. India Father Bertrand 

 tells me it is one of the snakes called " Soovar pambu " or " wall 



* Bull, de Science, Nat., p. 238. 



* Spol.Zey Ian, 1906, p. 229. 



