COLUBRINE GROUP. 223 



measured upwards of 7 feet 3 inches, this cobra is distributed over the whole of 

 India and Ceylon, ranging westwards through Afghanistan to the Caspian, and to 

 the east to the Malayan region, and the south of China. The other Indian species, 

 or giant cobra (A", bungarus), is a larger snake, distinguished by the presence of a 

 pair of large shields on the head behind the parietals, while the shields beneath the 

 tail usually form only a single series. When adult, its colour is yellowish or brown, 



YOUNG GIANT COBRA OR HAMADRYAD (1 liat. size) 



with more or less distinctly marked dark crossbands ; but young specimens are 

 usually black, with yellow rings on the body and bars on the head, and in some 

 instances there are light spots on the upper surface, and the inferior shields are 

 whitish with black margins. In size, the giant cobra is known to measure as much 

 as 13 feet, and probably grows larger. Fiercer than the common species, this 

 cobra is fortunately far less abundant; its range extending from India through 

 Burma and Siam to the Malayan region and the Philippines. Another species is 

 the asp or Egyptian cobra (A. haie), which is widely spread over Africa, and 



