THE FlUNCIPAL SPECIES OF POISONOUS SNAKES 31 



teeth (fig. 23). Scales smooth, obhque, in 13—17 rows, enlarged 

 and hexagonal in shape on the vertebral column ; ventral scales 

 round. Tail relatively short ; subcaudal scales in one or two rows. 



Two very dangerous snakes found in India and Indo-China 

 belong to this genus, B. fasciatus and B. candidus (var. cmruleus). 

 Both are fairly common. lu Ceylon B. ceylonicus is met with, 



Pig. 23. — Skull of Bungarus. (After G. A. Bouleager, op. cit.) 



and in South China B. candidus (var. piulticinctus). The length 

 of these snakes is from 1,000 — 1,500 millimetres. The back is 

 compressed in the shape of a keel. The neck is not dilatable. 



1. B. fasciatus {Banded Krait). 



Colour bright yellow, ringed with black, with a black band 

 commencing between the eyes, and broadening behind upon the 

 nape and neck (fig. 24). 



