32 S THE REPTILES OF EGYPT. 
5 d and 1 J . Desert on east side of Suez Canal, between Suez and Ismailia. 
1 d . Desert on west side of Suez Canal, between Suez and Ismailia. 
4 d and 2 $ . Desert around Cairo. 
2 d . Desert, Abu Roash. 
1 d . Desert, Gizeh. R. G. Gallop, Esq. 
1 d. Desert, Gizeh. 
1 d . Desert, Beni Hassan. M. W. Blackden, Esq. 
1. Ras Gharib. Mr. James Robertson. 
Snout broad and short, its length considerably less than the breadth between the 
eyes superiorly and anteriorly ; rostral much broader than high, its height equalling one- 
third of its breadth, deeply concave from side to side above its lower border ; nasal plates 
small, generally two, separated from the rostral and front labial usually by two rows of 
scales, and from one another above by four to six scales ; nostril directed outwards and 
backwards ; a slightly enlarged scale sometimes above the nasal ; eye moderate, its 
diameter about one-half the length of the snout, separated from the upper labials by 
three to four rows of scales ; nine to fourteen rows of scales round the eye ; no 
appendages over the eyes ; no enlarged tubercular scales in pairs on the mesial line of 
the head ; scales on the upper surface of the head unequal, more or less slightly 
elongate, with a short tubercular keel ; 11-12 upper labials, rarely 13 ; one pair of 
large oval chin-shields, separated by loose skin, in contact with three or four labials. 
23 to 27 rows of scales across the body. 102-122 ventrals (Egypt 108-119), with 
a well-defined lateral keel ; anal 1, rarely divided ; subcaudals 18-26, distinctly 
keeled, terminal scale short, curved, and claw-like. General colour sandy yellow or 
pinkish, with a dorsal series of about 28 brown spots arranged more or less in 
alternate longitudinal series, frequently absent on the neck, less numerous but more 
pronounced on the posterior part of the body, but sometimes nearly obsolete ; rarely 
two divergent dusky lines on the temporal region ; tip of tail not unfrequently deep 
black ; underparts yellowish white. 
The largest Egyptian male measures 345 millim. in length, of which the tail forms 
30 millim. 
This species is common on the margin of the desert around Cairo and on the Isthmus 
of Suez. It is also present in Middle Egypt, and will probably be found much further 
to the south. From Egypt it extends over the Sahara to Algeria. 
"Nothing is known regarding its habits. I have frequently found it lying in the sun 
among sand and stones. Dr. Walter Innes informs me that its native name is 
^ ; &j^_ = amy a karaa. 
Forskal's description of his C. holleik leads me to suppose that be had this species 
in view. It seemingly refers to a viper, and the only real viper of the size he mentions 
existing in Arabia is this species. Hasselquist informs us that this was the officinal 
viper, from which a certain preparation was made for consumption in Egypt and in 
