THE POISONOUS SNAKES OF INDIA. 



63 



behind. Scales in middle of body 23 to 27. Ventrals not ridged 

 laterally. Stihcaudals divided. 



Distribution. — An inhabitant of Northern Africa and South- 

 Bastern Europe, it extends through Asia Minor eastwards so as to 

 include Baluchistan and Kashmir on the fringe of its distribution. 



Poison.- — Nothing known. 



Dimensions. — Grows to 5 feet. 



Colour. — Grey or pale brown above, with a dorsal series of large 

 brown spots, often edged with blackish which may be confluent 

 into an undulous band, or with small dark spots or cross-bars, 

 small dark lateral spots, and vertical bars ; a large V-shaped 

 marking on the upper surface of the head, and a V-shaped one on 

 the occiput, may be present ; a dark streak behind the eye to the 

 angle of the mouth ; and usually a dark blotch or bar below the 

 eye ; whitish beneath, powdered with grey-brown, with or without 

 dark brown spots ; end of tail yellow. All the markings sometimes 

 very indistinct (Boulenger). 



Fig. 41. — Pseudooerastes persicus (nat. size). 



PSEUDOCERASTES PERSICUS- The Perso-Baluch horned viper. 



Identification. — Most easiljr recognised by the so-called " horn " 

 above the eye, and the scales in midbody numbering 23 to 25. 



Supplementary characters — Supraoculars. — Three subequal, elongat- 

 ed, obliquely erect shields, which form the horn above the eye. 



