Jhi 



50 THE POISONOUS SNAKES OP INDIA. 



LACHESIS MUCROSQUAMATUS-The Formosan Viper. 



Identification. — The scales in the posterior part of the body 

 number 21 or 19, the nasal not 

 united to the 1st labial, and 

 the presence of a subocular 

 establish the diagnosis, but all 

 three characters must co-exist. 



Supplementary characters. In- 

 ternasals. — A pair separated by 

 from 2 to 4 small scales. Supra- 

 ocular. — A single shield. Nasal 

 — Not united with the 1st 

 labial, one or more minute 



scales intercalated between it 



„_,JI a.i,„ o J 1 1 • n r, . Fl&- 32 — Laohesis mucrosquamatus. 



and the 2nd labial. Subocular („,,. ,i,,). 



not touching the 3rd labial, ^nd labial with a furrow in its 



upper part directed into the loreal pit. ScaZes.— Anterior, 25 to 



27; midbody, 23 to 27 ; posterior, 19 to 21. 



Distribution.— l<iaga Hills, Assam ; also Formosa. 



Poisow.— Nothing known. 



Dimensions.—Grows to 3^ feet. 



CoZowr.— Brownish with 3 longitudinal series of blackish spots, 

 the vertebral series being the largest. Belly mottled brownish and 

 white, or uniform whitish. 



LACHESIS JERDONI-Jerdon's Viper. 



Identification — The subocular 

 touching the 3rd labial to- 

 gether with 7 to 8 supralabials 

 make diagnosis certain. 



Supplementary characters. 

 Internasals. — A pair, separated 

 by from 1 to 3 small scales. 

 Supraocular. — A single shield 

 preceded by an enlarged shield 

 peculiar to this species. Nasal 

 not united with 1st labial ; 

 small scales may or may not be 

 intercalated between it and the ^,^. 33.-Lachesis jerdoni (nat. size). 



