SERPENTES. 139 



Apparently this species, like Lachesis puniceus (q. v.), is chiefly confined to 

 high altitudes. It is rare, and most of the specimens in the excellent collection 

 of Javan reptiles in the Museum of the Agricultural department at Buitenzorg 

 came from levels higher than that of Buitenzorg. While collecting in the 

 vicinity of the Mountain Gardens at Tjibodas, several specimens were taken at 

 an altitude of about 4,500 feet on the slopes of the volcano Pangerango. Others 

 were brought to Buitenzorg by natives, who had taken them on neighboring 

 highlands. Seven specimens, all told, were preserved; and they agree well with 

 Boulenger's description. Color is brightest, and carination most distinct, in 

 young specimens. It remains tightly coiled unless much disturbed. Under 

 provocation, however, it will strike very viciously. It may be added that 

 Bryant, had six specimens from Buitenzorg, and two from Depok. They may 

 have come from the hill regions near by. 



This form has been recorded from both Cochin China and Burma, in both 

 of which localities it seems to be rare. Mouhot's specimens in the British mu- 

 seum came from the Laos (''Lao") Mountains, and it is quite possible that care- 

 ful collecting among the higher mountains of Burma and Cochin China would 

 prove that the species was as exclusively a highland form on the continent as 

 it seems to be in Java. 



Agkistrodon rhodostoma (Boie). 

 BoiE, Isis, 1827, p. 561. Boulenger, Cat. snakes Brit, mus., 1896, 3, p. 527-528. . 



Type locality: — Java. 



This large and dangerous creature is abundant in western Java, mostly in 

 heavily forested areas at more than 1,000 feet elevation. Its coloration of 

 beautifully blended shades of lilac, violet, and rich brown makes it most difficult 

 to see, as it lies tightly coiled on the ground, with a background of decaying 

 leaves. Contrary to Annandale's field notes, which Boulenger has quoted (Fasc. 

 Malay. Zool., 1903, 1, p. 170-171), the natives of Java realize full well how 

 dangerous this form must be. The fangs are excessively long, and the actual 

 quantity of poison secreted is very great indeed. In the young of this species, 

 about the last inch of the tail is bright yellow. This feature is also conspicuous 

 in the congeneric forms of North America. In all, as the individuals grow older, 

 small spots appear on the dorsal surface of the tails ; and as these increase in size 

 and number they spread down on the sides; so that by the time the specimens 

 are eighteen inches long, the yellow may be seen only after careful examination. 

 In A . rhodostoma it persists a very long while — certainly until full growth is 

 reached — as narrow bands between the dark spots. This does not seem to be 



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