2GS 



VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



the poison-fang. Tlie head is broad, soniewliat triangular in shape, broadest 

 in its middle, and sliowing a very distinct line of demarcation between the head 

 and neclv. Tlie head, also, is usually covered with small scales (fig. 193, 0), 

 and rarely exhibits large plates or "scuta." The Crotalids have a deep pit 

 between the eye and the nostril, l\y wliich they are distinguished from tlie true 

 Vipi^rs, and Irom which they have acquired the common name of " Pit-vipers." 

 ("2. ) Tlie Khrpina are poisonous Snakes, in which the poison-fangs are per- 

 manently fixed and erect, and have smaller solid teeth behind tlicm. Tlie head 

 (fig. 19.3, A) is sliield-sliaped, and not much wider tlian the liody, its upper 

 surface lieing covered with large shields or scuta. This group comprises some 

 of the most deadly of all the Serpents, one of the best Ivuown being the Hooded 

 Snake or Cobra di Ccqjdlo {jVaJa /n'jjUAllans), which is commonly found in 



Fi;,'. l!l:;.^0]ihiiba. A, llrail nf an Elapiiie Snake (Dungaiiis fasfiafus), "\newed from 

 aliinc. H, H.'aai.l'ii ro!iili:iiM' Siiiikc (J'/Tyii./nHo/Hs Ho/rir). C, Head iif a Yiperiiie 

 Siiaki- {Dah„ia ruixsdli i). (A and C are aller Sir .Tiiseiih Fayrcr; B is after Bell.) 



Ilimlostan, and is tlie snake usually carried iibont by the Imlian Sliake- 

 c hariiicis. II varies IVoiii two tn six feet in leiigUi, and the neck can be 

 cxtrlJ^ively dilated, covering the head like a liood. A nearly allied species is 

 the iV»>( //<(/> (tig. 189) of Egyjd, The genus Bmigariis, including the deadly 

 " Ker:iit" (/;. L'lini/riis) of India, is nearly allied to A'aja, but the neck is not 

 dilatable. Aiiin ica has rrjircsciil;iti\es of this faiiiilyin the beautifully marked 

 I iiral-siiakcs and I l.irlci|iiiii-siLil.cs ( Klujrs) ; and they abound in the Australian 

 region, a well klinwn ty|ic being the 1 Icat li-adder {Aniil/lni/ili is). 



(•■).) 'I'lie //i/i/n'/ilinl,i cMininise aipialic 0]iliiiliails which liave the tail ver- 

 tically ((iiiipics.M'd and brnadeiird out. They are found ]naiicipally in the 

 Indian and fliiiii-;!' seas, oClcn liv(]uciit ing the mouths <A' risers, though some- 

 times rnin,dic.' far Irnni lainl. Tlicy are extremely poisonous, and swim with 

 great ease ami rajiiility. 



