402 



LACHESIS. 



Coluber Lachesis. C. griseo-flavescenS) fusco -cariatus^ xquamit 



laxis car mat is, capile ind'ustincto, cauda brevi. 

 Yellowish-grey Snake, variegated with brown, with loose ca- 



rinated scales, indistinct head, and short tail. 

 Serpens Ceilonica Bitin dicta. Seb. 2. t. 94. /. 2. 



THIS remarkable snake is figured and slightly 

 described by Seba, who informs us that it is a 

 native of the island of Ceylon, where it is known 

 by the name of Bitin. Its colour is a rich and 

 somewhat irregular variegation of deep and light 

 brown, disposed in the form of streaks and 

 patches on a yellowish-grey ground : the scales, 

 which in many parts are tipped with white, arc 

 large, strongly carinated, and fixed only at the 

 base, while the remainder is loose or free : in con- 

 sequence of this disposition of the scales, the 

 animal, while moving, is said to make a kind of 

 rustling sound, by elevating and depressing them, 

 and even sometimes shaking off such as happen 

 to be in any degree loose : the scuta or under 

 scales are broad, of a pale colour, and marked by 

 numerous, small, irregular, dusky, or blackish 

 spots. It is a poisonous species, being armed 

 with large fangs, and, from its general form and 

 proportions, appears to be an animal of very con- 

 siderable strength : the head is not distinguished 

 in size from the body by any appearance of neck 

 or contraction : the male is deeper coloured than 

 the female, and seems to have a larger body and 



