488 VIPERID 2. 
- Vipera euphratica, Martin, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1888, p. 82 ; Strauch, Schl, 
aay R. p. 221, pl. vi. (1873); Boettg. Ber. Senck. Ges. 1880, 
p. 267; Bedriaga, Bull. Soc. Nat. Mosc. lvi. 1881, p. 315. 
— echis ?, Schleg. in Wagn. Reis. Reg. Alg. iii. p. 131 (1841). 
Echidna mauritanica, Guichen. Explor. Sc. Alg., Rept. p. 24, pl. iii. 
(1848); Dum. § Bibr. vii. p. 1431 (1854). 
Daboia xanthina, Gray, Cat. p. 24 (1849); Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soe, 
1864, p. 489; Tristram, Faun. § Flor, Palest. pl. xv. (1884). 
Clotho P mauritanica, Gray, 1. ¢. y: wags 
Daboia euphratica, Gray, J. c. p. 116. 
Vipera minuta, Eichw. Nouv. Mém. Soc. Nat. Mose. ix. 18651, 
438 
Bitis mauritanica, Giinth. Cat. p. 268 (1858). 
Vipera confluenta, Cope, Proc, Zool. Soc. 1863, p. 229, fig. 
—— mauritanica, Strauch, Syn. Viper. p. 79 (1869). 
—— xanthina, FP. Miill. Verh. Nat. Ges. Basel, vi, 1878, p. 700, pl. iii 
fig. A; Boettg. Sitzb. Ak. Berl. 1888, p. 180, and Zool. Jahr. iii. 
1888, p. 947; Bedriaga, CR. Congr. Int. Zool. 1892, i. p. 239. 
op ratica, var. mauritanica, Boettg. Abh. Senck. Ges. xiii. 1883, 
. 105. 
ae lebetina, var. deserti, Anders, Proc, Zool, Soc, 1892, p. 20, pl.i. 
figs. 6 & 7. 
Snout rounded and obtuse or subacuminate, usually with well- 
marked canthus ; vertical diameter of eye shorter than its distance 
from the mouth in the adult. Rostral as deep as broad, a little 
broader than deep, or slightly deeper than broad, reaching or nearly 
reaching the upper surface of the snout and in contact with two or 
three apical scales; scales on upper surface of head small, sub- 
imbricate, feebly or strongly keeled, rarely smooth on the forehead 
and snout; 7 to 12 longitudinal series of scales between the eyes 
(supraoculars included); supraocular well developed or narrow, or 
broken up into two or more small shields; 12 to 18 scales round 
the eye; two or three series of scales between the eye and the 
labials, sometimes only a single scale between the eye and the 
fourth labial; nostril in a single nasal *, which is usually partially 
fused with the naso-rostral; a well-developed supranasal ; temporal 
scales keeled ; 9 to 12 upper labials ; 4 or 5 lower labials in contact 
with the chin-shields. Scales in 23 to 27 rows, strongly keeled, 
outer row smooth or feebly keeled. Ventrals 147-177 in ¢, 152- 
180 in 9; anal entire; subcaudals 38-51 in ¢, 29-48 in 9°. 
Coloration varying to the same extent as in V. aspis, Grey or 
pale brown above, with a dorsal series of large dark brown spots, 
often edged with blackish, which may be confluent into an undulous 
band, or with small dark spots or cross-bars; small dark lateral 
spots and vertical bars; a large A-shaped marking on the upper 
surface of the head, and a /\-shaped one on the occiput, may 
be present; a dark streak behind the eye to the angle of the 
mouth, and usually a dark blotch or bar below the eye; whitish 
beneath, powdered with grey-brown, with or without dark brown 
* The nasal being often strongly hollowed out, the nostril may appear pierced 
between three shields, as in V, russe/lii, 
