316 



MR. S. C. SARKAR ON THE BUCCAL GLANDS 



in a less concealed position, being rendered capable of inflicting a 

 more severe wound. There are only fourteen teeth in the 

 maxilla : this reduction may possiblj^ be explained by the fact 

 that the teeth, which are present, are large, strong, and more 

 exposed, and better able to kill the prey or to paralyse it quickly 

 with the poison that is now injected directly into the puncture 

 made by the fang. 



Text-figure 19. 



S Ig. _„.,,„^ P.S- 



Dryophis mycterizans. 



Dissection of the head from the left side. 

 Letters as before. 



X3. 



In the transverse section (text-fig. 20) we notice that the duct 

 of the poison gland has shifted still further up than in Chryso- 

 pelea (text-fig. 18), so that its opening into the tooth sac is nearer 



Text-figure 20. 



Dryojpliis mycterizans. Transverse section of the head in the region of the parotid 

 and superior labial gland and their ducts, the tooth sac and the fang. m.m. 

 mucous membrane ; other letters as before. X 63. 



to the base of the tooth and close to the beginning of the groove. 

 The poison coming from the gland passes directly into the groove. 

 In Dryophis the groove is now more or less in the shape of a 

 canal, as the edges are almost in contact. 



