SNAKES OF CEYLON. 503 



Sub-family 1 Vipermae, 

 (Named from the type Genus Vipera.) 



Identification. — Without an opening (loreal pit) between the 

 eye and nostril. 



Distribution. — Europe, Asia, Africa. 



Arranged in nine genera, of which three are represented in 

 Indian limits, and two in Ceylon. 



Genus VIPERA. 



(Latin, said to be from " vivus " alive, and " pario " I bring 



forth. The common European viper (V. berus) 



was known from remote times to produce 



its young viviparously.) 



General Characters (for Indian Species). — The species vary 

 in length from 1J to 5J feet. Head flat, and subtriangular in 

 shape. Snout rather short, with a more or less distinct 

 canthus, obtusely rounded in front. In some it is sur- 

 mounted by a horn-like, scale-covered, appendage. Eye 

 moderate or small ; iris more or less adorned with gold speck- 

 ling ; pupil Vertical. Nostril moderate to large ; open ; 

 lateral. Neck much constricted. Body robust, or even 

 corpulent, attenuating towards the neck anteriorly and 

 towards the vent. Belly rounded. Tail short, accounting 

 for about one-seventh to one -fourteenth the total length. 



Identification. — The top of the head covered throughout 

 with small scales, no loreal pit, and divided subcaudals will 

 suffice to identify the genus among Ceylon snakes. 



Habits. — Sluggish in disposition, but fierce when roused, 

 nocturnal, and some fatal to man. 



Food. — Feeds mainly on small mammals, but also eats birds, 

 lizards, and batrachians. 



Breeding. — Viviparous . 



Poison. — Poisonous ; some fatal to man. 



Lepidosis. — Rostral : Well developed ; in some species 

 touching the nasals, in others not. Supraoculars : Large ; 

 undivided or broken up. Nasals : Entire ; variable in shape. 



