45 



Colouring — Buff or light-brown with three longitudinal 



series of large, dark white edged ring-spots, 



the median series often confluent. Head has 



a pink or salmon V with its apex on the snout. 



Belly : whitish and spotted. 



Habitat — India, chiefly the plains. In some parts quite 

 common. 



The Pit Vipers. 



A.11 the pit- vipers can be readily recognised by 

 the loreal pit, which is a conspicuous opening 

 between the eye and the nostril. 



There are about twelve species, but we need not 

 trouble to distinguish between all these. It 

 is sufficient for our purpose to be able to 

 " spot " a pit-viper. 



The pit-vipers are found only in hilly regions 

 at heights from 2,000 to 10,000 feet. 



I shall give a general description and then 

 specify the two commonest. 



The Pit- Viper. 



Length — Varies from one to four feet. 

 Shape —Head : broad, thick, almost sub-triangular and 

 very distinct from neck. It contains the loreal 

 pit. 

 Body : stout. 

 Tail : moderate or short. 

 Eye : moderate with vertical pupil. 

 Teeth : a long poison-fang. 

 Head shields — Of the twelve species, nine have scaly 

 h?ads. Not, however, quite so scaly as th^. 



