572 SNOUTED LANGAYA. 



year J784. The length of the individual described 

 was about two feet eight inches, and its greatest 

 diameter about seven lines : the head is covered 

 with, large scales, but the snout, which is ex- 

 tremely long and sharp, projecting to a consider- 

 able distance beyond the lower jaw, is covered 

 with very small scales : the teeth, in shape and 

 disposition, resemble those of a Viper: the scales 

 on the upper parts of the body are rhomboidal, 

 of a reddish colour, and each marked at the base 

 by a small grey circle, with a yellow spot in the 

 middle : the under parts are pale or whitish : the 

 number of abdominal scuta, as well as of circles 

 on the tail, is observed to vary in this snake, 

 as is also the colour, which in one individual 

 was violet, with darker coloured specks on the 

 back. The natives of Madagascar are said to 

 hold the Langaya in great dread, considering it as 

 a highly poisonous serpent. 



