-THE POISONOUS SNAKES OF INDIA. 3 



but I hope to do more, and to incorporate with each species a few- 

 remarks so as to make the paper useful to the medical profession as 

 well as to the naturalist. , 



The abbreviations marked on the shields in the outline figures 

 attached to these papers are the same throughout, and read as 

 follows : — 



Roman numerals — Infralabials. 



With reference to midbody the point indicated is midway be- 

 tween the snout and the anus or vent (a transverse slit in the 

 hinder part of the belly, see fig. 9). Anterior with reference to scales 

 indicates a point 2 head lengths behind the head ; posterior similarly 

 implies a point 2 head lengths in front of the vent. 



The conception of a poisonous snake, as alluded to hereafter, 

 demands some remarks on the classification of these reptiles. 



Mr. Boulenger considers the Ofliidia (snakes) a Suborder of 

 the Order Squamata (which includes lizards and chameleons). He 

 divides snakes into nine families based on osteological peculiarities 

 which can only be made apparent by the minutest and most care- 

 ful dissection or disintegration of the soft tissues, and hence are of 

 far too complicated a character for the general enquirer to readilj'' 

 investigate or comprehend. I venture to think the same end may 

 be equally well attained by attention to external characters alone. 

 The recommendation for such a method is obvious, since it enables 

 the enquirer to ascertain at a glance the requisite points by an 

 examination of the creature as it lies dead before him. Without 



