ORDER OPHIDIA. , 271 



back ; a range of black or blackish spots on each 

 side. Sometimes the spots of the back unite in 

 transverse bands; at others, they only form altogether 

 one longitudinal band, turned zig-zag, and then it is 

 the Coluber Aspis. Lin., which is sometimes named 

 aspic, in our neighbourhood. It is this variety which 

 was multiplied some years ago in the forest of Fon- 

 tainbleau. There are also individuals almost en- 

 tirely black.* 



The Viper with Horned Muzzle. (Col. Ammodytes.') 

 Jacquin. Collect. IV. pi. xxiv. and xxv. Vip. 

 Mlyrica, Aldrov. 169. 



Nearly similar to the common, but eminently dis- 

 tinguished by a small soft bone, covered with scales, 

 which it bears on the end of the muzzle. It is 

 found in Dalmatia, in Hungary, &c. 



The Cerastes, or Horned Viper, (^Col. Cerastes, 

 Lin,) Lacep. II. i. 2. 



Is remarkable for a small pointed bone over each 



• Asjih is the name of an Egyptian serpent of which there were many 

 species, and one of which, from what is said respecting the expansibility 

 of its neck, must have been the Hajc. 



JBerus is the name of a serpent employed only by the authors of the mid- 

 dle ages, such as Albert, Vincent de Beauvois, and for an aquatic species, 

 probably the collared adder. The Viper of C/iaras, of which Laurenti 

 was also desirous to make a species, and which is the Col. Aspis of Gmeliu, 

 poes not differ from this common viper, which, in my opinion, is the true 



