PROTEROGLYPHA OR FRONT-FANGED SNAKES. 163 



Genus Dendraspis. — Maxillary bone curved upwards, with a strong 

 posterior process directed backwards and outwards ; a pair 

 of large poison fangs, not fissured, not followed by other teeth ; 

 a large fang-like mandibular tooth, followed by a considerable 

 toothless space. Head narrow, elongate ; eye moderate, with 

 round pupil ; nostril between two shields ; no loreal. Body 

 slightly compressed ; scales smooth, narrow, very oblique, without 

 pits, in 13 to 23 rows ; ventrals rounded. Tail long ; sub-caudals 

 in two rows. 



Fig. 69. — Skulls of typical snakes of the Front-fanged Elapinae sub-family. 



1. Side view showing the fangs and rows of harmless teeth. 



A. Anterior maxillary bone to which the fangs are attached. 



2. Back of skull and lower jaws. 



3. Roof of mouth. 



B. Poison fangs. 



C. Lower jaw. (Brit. Mus. Cat. Snakes.) 



Genus NAIA. (Typical Cobras.) 

 Four Species in South Africa. 

 KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



Sub-oculars separate the eye from the upper labials. 



21 or 23 scales across neck, 19 or 21 across middle 



of body 

 Sub-oculars separate the eye from the upper labials 



by a series of sub-oculars. 17 scales across neck, 



as well as across body. Rostral as deep as broad 



Naia haie. 



Naia anchietce. 



