186 ON VARIATIONS OF THE SAND-VIPER. [Feb. 17, 
reaching the canthus rostralis, and but rarely extending higher 
up than the upper border of the rostral, which is often as deep as 
broad or a little deeper than broad (text-fig. 285); rostral “ horn” 
with 3 to 5 transverse series of scales between the rostral shield 
and the apex. Supraciliary edge usually more prominent than in 
the typical form, sometimes slightly angular, foreshadowing the 
condition in V. raddit. Ventral shields 133 to 147. A more or 
less distinct dark blotch on the lower lip, involving 5 or 6 labial 
shields without interruption. Lower surface of end of tail yellow. 
Grows to 60 centimetres. 
Text-fig. 27. 
Side views of heads of a, Vipera ammodytes, f. typica (Feldkirchen, 
Carinthia), and 6, var. meridionalis (Athens). 
Front view of end of snout, showing the lepidosis. 
a. Feldkirchen, Carinthia; 6. Athens; c. Cocosu, Roumania. 
T submit these definitions to the consideration of herpetologists 
who may have the privilege of examining large series of speci- 
mens from any single district. The material at my command is 
still deficient in examples from Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Caucasus, 
and I may mention that the only two specimens from Roumania 
which I have been able to examine differ from both forms as here 
characterized, and are on the whole intermediate between them. 
The rostral shield is deeper than broad, and the naso-rostral does 
not reach the canthus rostralis (text-fig. 28 ¢); one has two series 
of scales on the rostral “ horn,” the other has three ; supraciliary 
edge not very prominent; ventral shields 155 and 153; no light 
bars on the lower lip; lower surface of tail yellow. 
