ANATOMY OF THE OPHIDTA. 399 
of air-chambers in the neck that open into the trachea. The size 
it attains and its aggressive disposition. 
Specimen.—California Acad. Sci. No. 16777. Singapore. 
Cranium. 
The mawillary bone extends beyond the palatine a distance of 
‘8 mm. There are two fangs: the inner, 10 mm. long, are 
cemented in the erect position; the outer, of the same length, 
are loose and horizontal. There are three small teeth, 2°5 mm. 
long, situated on the posterior two-fifths of the bone; each has 
a groove along the antero-external quadrant that extends the 
entire length and is deeper and wider towards the base. The 
ectopterygoid bone is widened anteriorly and has a concave border 
forming an antero-external and an antero-internal process. The 
palatine bone has two processes. The maxillary process is short 
and directed inwards; its base extends from the middle of the 
third to the middle of the fifth socket. The vomerine process is 
narrow and is arched upwards, inwards, and towards the end 
slightly downwards; its base extends from the socket of the fifth 
to the sixth tooth. There are eight stout teeth, 2°8 mm. long, 
and each has three distinct grooves. The deepest groove is on 
the antero-internal quadrant and extends from the base to 
the tip. The next is not quite so deep; it is on the inner 
quadrant and extends from the base nearly to the tip. The last 
and least pronounced is on the external quadrant ; it is deeper 
on the distal half of the tooth. The pterygoid bone is broadly 
expanded posteriorly and but slightly curved. The articulation 
with the ectopterygoid extends from the space between the fourth 
and fifth tooth to a point 2 mm. bebind the last tooth. There 
are ten stout teeth, 1-5 mm. long, situated on the anterior two- 
fifths of the bone. Each tooth has two grooves; the deeper is 
on the internal quadrant and the other on the external quadrant. 
The dentary bone bears fourteen teeth, the anterior of which are 
a trifle the larger. All are deeply grooved along the exterior 
quadrant. 
With the modification of the anterior maxillary teeth as fangs, 
and the small teeth on the maxillary and dentary bones being 
grooved, the King Cobra exhibits a further development of the 
poison apparatus, as the teeth on the palatine and even on the 
pterygoid bones are also grooved. 
Measurements in millimetres. 
Base, tip of premaxille to rim of 
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