48 



MiNOMS 



(d) Echis. 



Ecltis cariitatus (the Phooi'sa). (Fig. 30). — This viper is I'barac- 

 terised by the subcaudal shields being arranged m a single row. 

 It is savage and very aggressive, being always ready to attack. Its 

 length does not exceed ()0(^ millimetres at the most. The colour 

 of the body is grey, more or less dark and adorned with streaks, 

 spots, and dots of blackish-brown. The back displays yellovs'ish- 



PiG. 30. — Ecltis carinaliis. India. (After Sir Josepli Fayrer.) 



white wavy lines, forming X-shaped markings. The upper side 

 of the head exhibits a yellow spot surrounded by brown, and otlier 

 small black spots, the whole arrangement forming a fairly good 

 representation of a cross. 



This species is found in India, Persia, I]aluchistan, Arabia, and 

 Palestine ; while, as wc shall see, it also occurs in Africa. It is 

 fairly common in the environs of Aden. 



