SPECTACLE SNAKE. 415 



The piincipal Indian varieties of this fatal snake 

 are thus enumerated by Dr. Russel. 



1 . Arege Nagoo. With a pale central spot in 



the middle of each of the black spots of the 

 spectacle-shaped mark.- Abdominal scuta 

 1 89, subcaudal scales 60. 



2. Coodum Nagoo. This variety is darker than 



the others, and the skin of a yellower cast; 

 but the principal distinction is in the spec- 

 tacle-mark, which consists of an oblong 

 curved frame without the usual black eye* 

 or centre-spots of the others. Abdominal 

 scuta 1 87, subcaudal scales 57. 



3. Sankoo Nagoo. The chief distinction of this 



is a plain hood, without any mark. This 

 variety is supposed by Seba to be the female 

 of the species ; but Dr. Russel informs us 

 that one which he brought home from In- 

 dia, and presented to Mr. John Hunter, 

 was a male, and that the usual spectacle- 

 shaped mark is found indifferently both on 

 males and females. This variety is rarer 

 than the rest. Abdominal scuta 183, sub- 

 caudal scales 56. 



4. Mogla Nagoo. The cervical scuta in this 



variety are spotted here and there with 

 faint greyish spots, and four of the middle 

 ones are entirely of a blueish grey. Abdo- 

 minal scuta 192, subcaudal scales 65. 



5. Malle Nagoo. The colour of this variety is 



of a lighter brown than the rest, and the 

 scuta whiter and less spotted, but seven of 



