E C H I S. 



Echis cariiiata. 



Of the genus Echis, the Echis carinata is the only Indian species. 

 It prevails in the North-West Provinces, Punjab, Rajputana, Central 

 India, Sind, and in some parts of the Madras Presidency. About Delhi 

 its indigenous name is " Afae" (Fayrer). By Russell it is figured under 

 the name of " Horatta Pam." In Sind it is known as the " Kuppur." 

 The genus is described by Gtinther as follows : — " Head covered with 

 keeled scales ; a pair of very small frontals behind the rostral shield. 

 Nostril small, round, directed upwards, situated in a large nasal shield, 

 which is subdivided behind the nostril. Sides of the head covered with 

 keeled scales, two series of which are between the eye and the low 

 upper labials. Scales much imbricate, strongly keeled, in from twenty- 

 five to twenty-nine series ; those in the lateral series have their tips 

 directed obliquely downwards." " With these they make the rustling 

 sound" (Fayrer). " Sub-caudals one-rowed." The species Echis cari- 

 nata is described by Gtinther as foUows : — " Brown or brownish grey, 

 with a series of sub-quadrangular or ovate whitish spots, edged with 

 blackish brown ; a sub-semicircular whitish band on each side of each of 

 the dorsal spots, enclosing a round, dark brown lateral spot. A pair of 

 oblong brown, black edged spots on the crown of the head, convergent 

 anteriorly ; a brown spot below, and an oblique broad streak behind the 

 eye. Belly whitish, with more or less numerous rotmd brown specks. 

 Ventrals, 149-154; sub-caudals, 21-26." 



" The Echis," says Sir Joseph Fayrer, " is fierce and aggressive. It 

 is always on the defensive, ready to attack ; it throws itself into a 

 double coil, the folds of which are in perpetual motion, and as they rub 

 against each other, they make a loud rustling sound, very like hissing. 

 This sound is produced by the three or four outer rows of carinated 



