310 COLITBBID^. 



Subfam. 8. ELAPIN^. 



Elapidse, Boie, Isis, 1827, p. 510. 



Holochalina, part., J. MilUer, Zeitsehr.f. Physiol, iv. p. 270, 1831. 

 NajidsB, Bonaparte, Mem. Ace. Torin. ('2) ii. p. 393, 1840. 

 Oonocerques, Dum^ril, Mhn. Ac. 8c. xxiii. p. 514, 1853 ; Bumiril 8f 



Bibron, Erp. Oen. vii. p. 1187, 1864. 

 Eurystomata lobola, part., Stannius, Zoot. Amph. p. 5, 1856. 

 Dendreohides, A. DumAril, Rev. ^ Mag. Zool. viii. p. 565, 1856. 

 Elapsidse, Deudraspididse, Oiinther, Cat. Col. 8n., 1858. 

 Najidse (Najines, Dendraspidinse), Cope, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1859, 



p. 342. 

 ElapidsB, part., Jan, Elenco sist. Ofid. p. HI, 1863. 

 Elapidse, Ounther, Rept. Brit. Ind. p. 337, 1864. 

 Elapida, part., Sirauch, Syn. Viper, p. 18, ]869. 

 Elapidse, Najidee, Dendraspididse, Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Sac. 



xxiii. p. 480, ]886. 

 Elapinae, Bouleng. Faun. Ind., Rept. p. 382, 1890. 



Tail cylindrical. Hypapophyses more or less developed throughout 

 the vertebral column. 



Distributed over Africa, Southern Asia, the Southern parts of 

 North America, Central and South America, and Australia. In the 

 latter Continent they constitute the great majority of the Ophidian 

 fauna and present the greatest variety of forms. Mostly viviparous. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



I. MaxiUary bone without posterior process ; no isolated anterior 

 mandibular tooth. 



A. Maxillary bone not extending forwards beyond the palatine ; 



vertebral scales not enlarged. 



1. Poison-fangs followed by 6 or 7 grooved teeth ; subcaudals 



in two rows ; eye very small ; head not distinct from neck. 



Maxillary and mandibular teeth gradually decreasing in size; iirst 



upper labial bordering the nostril . . 214. Ogmodon, p. 312. 

 Anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth abruptly enlarged. 



215. Glyphodon, p. 313. 



2. Poison-fangs followed by 7 to 15 small grooved teeth ; sub- 



caudals in two rows ; head more or less distinct from neck. 



No canthus rostralis ; eye small, with vertical pupil ; tail moderate 

 or short 216. Pseudelaps, p. 315. 



Canthus rostralis distinct ; eye moderate or large, with round pupil ; 

 tail moderate or long 217. Siemenia, p. 320. 



3. Poison-fangs followed by 1 to 5 fmall teeth, which may be 



indistinctly grooved. 



a. Head more or less distinct from neck. 



