THE PRINCIPAL SPECIES OF POISONOUS SNAKES 



45 



(4) V. rw.s.scZiM (Daboia, or Russell's Vipei-). (Fig. '2,S.) — This 

 viper, which may attain a length of as much as '2,000 luillimetres, 

 is magnificently coloured. Its dorsal surface is brownish-yellow. 



Fig. 28.— Vipcra russellii (Syn. Vipera elcgans. Daboia, or Russell's Viper). India. 

 (After Sir .Joseph Payrer.) 



marked with large oval spots of blackish-brown, edged with yellow 

 or white. The belly is covered with transverse bands, with beautiful 

 triangular black spots, bordered with white. The head, which is 

 lono-, ends in front in a thick, rounded snout ; it is covered above 



