316 
THE REPTILES OF EGYPT. 
of this snake were unaffected by it. These experiments prove that the injurious 
effects of the saliva are caused by the presence in it, in a varying degree, of some irritant 
substance, probably the secretion of the poison-glands. 
One of the names borne by one of the supposed varieties of the common Indian 
cobra, IS r . tripudians, is sputatrix; but Dr. D. D. Cunningham, whose extensive researches 
in Calcutta regarding the venom of the Indian cobra necessitated the handling and 
observation of a very large number of specimens, informs me that he has never seen 
one spit out its saliva. 
From November, or about that period, the cobra remains hidden away in some 
hole underground in a semitorpid state, until the heat of spring returns, when it 
regains its vigour. In this, however, it is not singular, for in E^ypt during winter 
few reptiles are met with compared with the profusion in which they occur in the 
height of summer. But the cobra appears to be extremely susceptible to cold, and in 
Egypt it succumbs to it if left exposed in the open on a cold night even when protected 
by a covering. 
Measurements &c. ofN. haje, Linn, (in millim.). 
Sex. 
Total 
length. 
Tail. 
Ven- 
tral*. 
Anal. 
Sub- 
caudals. 
Scales. 
Upper 
labials. 
Labials 
entering 
orbit. 
Pra> 
oculars. 
Sub- 
oculars. 
Post- 
oculars. 
Temporals. 
Locality. 
? 
405 
58 
213 
1 
54 
21-23 
7 
1 
1 
2 
Medina, Arabia. 
S 
590 
92 
211 
1 
63 
21-23 
7 
1 
2 
2 
L. 1+4 
E. 1+3 
Maryut District. 
2 
590 
101 
201 
1 
61 
19-23 
7 
1 
2 
2 
1 + 3 
„ 
s 
632 
95 
213 
1 
59 
21-23 
7 
1 
2 
2 
1+3 
Abbasiyeh. 
s 
722 
111 
207 
1 
58 
21-23 
L.7 
E.6 
1 
2 
2 
1+3 
Gizeh. 
790 
130 
202 
1 
64 
21-23 
7 
B. 3rd 
1 
L.3 
E.2 
2 
1 + 3 
Beltim. 
S 
1175 
172 
205 
1 
55 
21-23 
7 
2 
2 
L.3 
E.2 
1+3 
Payum. 
6 
1185 
192 
197 
1 
61 
21-23 
7 
1 
2 
2 
L. 1+5 
E. 1+3 
„ 
6 
1293 
222 
204 
1 
63 
21-23 
7 
1 
3 
2 
1+3 
Tel el Amarna. 
s 
1380 
220 
212 
1 
62 
21-23 
7 
1 
L.3 
E.2 
2 
1+3 
Maryut. 
$ 
1445 
244 
208 
1 
64 
21-23 
7 
I,. 1 
E.2 
L. 1 
R.2 
2 
1 + 3 
Beni Hassan. 
5 
1490 
115 
205 
1 
21-23 
7 
1 
2 
2 
1 + 3 
„ „ 
1780 
280 
208 
1 
60 
21-23 
7 
L. 1 
R.2 
3 
2 
1+3 
Maryut. 
1790 
245 
209 
1 
53 
21-23 
7 
1 
2 
2 
1 + 3 
» 
