492 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



in adequate doses, cannot be expected to save a patient who 

 is suffering from cardiac weakness _due to non-toxic causes. 

 A feeble or rapid pulse, with cold body surface, specially 

 noticeable in the extremities, and a subnormal temperature 

 are, though silent, vociferous appeals from an inarticulate 

 subject for vigorous stimulation of the heart. 



Parasites. — («) Ectozoa : A very common parasite to infest 

 the cobra is the tick Aponomma Iseve variety paradoxum, 

 which attaches itself between the scales. The adult is about 

 the diameter of a lentil, flat, and of a dark plumbeous colour. 

 I have also seen minute scarlet mites, apparently the same as 

 those found on Oligodon sublineatus, which Professor Nuttall 

 identified as larval forms, probably of a Gekobia. 



(6) Entozoa : Both nematode and cestode worms inhabit 

 the stomach and intestine, the identity of which I have not 

 been able to determine. 



(c) Hmmatozoa : Laveran mentions having found heemo- 

 gregarines, viz., Hmmoc/regarina najse, in the red blood cells. 



Lepidosis. — (a) Typical — Rostral : The rostro-nasal sutures 

 are about half the rostro-internasals, and subequal to the 

 rostro-labials. Internasals : The suture between them is 

 about half to three-fifths that between the prsefrontals, and 

 half or less than half the internaso-preefrontals. Preefrontals : 

 The suture between them longer than the praefronto-frontals ; 

 touching the internasal, prseocular, and supraocular. 

 Frontal : The fronto-supraocular sutures are about twice the 

 fronto-parietals. Supraoculars : Longer than the frontal, 

 about three-fourths the breadth of the frontal along a line 

 connecting the centres of the eyes. Nasals : Subequal in 

 depth. Prseocular. Longer than deep ; hardly reaching the 

 top of the head ; touching the internasal. Postoculars : 

 Three ; subequal. Temporals : Lower as long as the supra- 

 ocular. Supralabials : Seven ; the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 

 touching the nasals ; 3rd and 4th the eye ; and the 5th and 

 6th the temporals. Sublinguals : The posterior subequal to 

 the anterior ; complete^ separated by a single scale nearly as 

 large ; touching the 4th and 5th infralabials. Infralabials : 

 Five ; the 4th and 5th subequal, 5th nearly as long as the 



