256 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol XXII. 



atlas (1st vertebra), axis (2nd vertebra), and the 3rd vertebra have 

 no ribs, but the 3rd has an elongate rib-like transverse process. 

 The succeeding 27 vertebrse have ribs attached to them that 

 are involved in the production of the hood. These ribs are much 

 less bowed than those in the rest of the body, and enjoy a range 

 of movement greatly in excess of the other corporeal ribs. The 

 9th is the longest on the left side, and measures 41 mm., and the 

 10th measuring 42 mm. is the longest on the right side. The 

 preceding and succeeding ribs progressively diminish so that an 

 oval outline is given to the hood. The ribs are set obliquely 

 forming an angle of 40° to 45° with the long axis of the spine. 

 In the prone state they are directed backwards, outwards, and 

 downwards, and give a contour to the body almost like that in 

 other parts. In the erect pose the corresponding direction of the 

 ribs would be downwards, outw^ards, and forwards, but any forward 

 tendency is entirely obliterated by the action of a set of dorsal 

 muscles that not only draw the ribs back till they are completely 

 transverse, but also fully straightens them. During full expan- 

 sion judging from freshly dissected hood, I think the ribs are also 

 slightly elevated, and the angle made with the spine thereby 

 rather increased. As the overlying skin is but loosely attached 

 it does not in any way hamper the movements of the ribs within, 

 which by their backward extension and elevation enormously 

 stretch it in a lateral direction, at the expense of the ventro-ver- 

 tebral diametre. The oval shape of the hood, and the flattening 

 produced has been well compared to a shallow spoon, or skimmer. 

 The hood originates high up in the nape, and the head bent strong- 

 ly at the atlas joint is carried at right angles to it when spread. 

 The arching of the forebody and general pose and movement of the 

 cobra when erect remind one very forcibly of the carriage of a 

 swan's neck. The dorsal skin is very much stretched when the 

 hood is expanded, so that the scale rows are wddely separated (see our 

 plate) and as the hood marks are almost entirely confined to the skin, 

 they become very conspicuous. The curious poise adopted can be 

 sustained for a considerable time, certainly many minutes if sufficient 

 stimulus is offered, and continued. Whilst poised with expanded 

 hood the snake sways restlessly forwards and backwards and can 

 be made to bend backwards to an extraordinary degree before 

 losing its equilibrium. lb hisses in a fierce explosive manner 

 whilst erect and I have carefully observed caged specimens at this 

 time. I noticed that hissing occurs both during inspiration, and 

 expiration. The inspiratory is the shorter act, and its note higher 

 pitched than the expiratory. It is quavering in qualitj?-, reminding 

 one of a knife on a grindstone. The expiratory effort is the longer, 

 louder and lower pitched and intermittently explosive in character. 

 The tongue is emitted during both inspiration and expiration. The 



