THE PEINCIPAL SPECIES OF POISONOUS SNAKES 77 



himself to destroy an Efa, of which he has the greatest dread. 

 If, as often occurs, he finds one of these reptiles in his house, he 

 addresses himself to the Hani, or juggler, in order that, by his 

 magic art, he may expel the dangerous visitor. From this custom 

 the juggler evidently derives no smah advantage, for, as is only 

 right, he does not ply his craft for nothing. In many cases, 

 indeed, the juggler releases a snake in a house, and then goes and 

 informs the owner that he knows that a reptile is concealed in his 

 dwelling, and that, in consideration of a stipulated reward, he will 

 rid him of it (Brehm). 



Pig. 41. — Echis colornliis. (After G. X. Boulenger, op cil.) 



(■2) E. cohratus (fig. 41). — Scales on the snout and vertex 

 convex, smooth or bluntly keeled, 13 — 15 from eye to eye ; no 

 supraocular shield ; 17 — '22 scales round the eye ; 12 — 15 supra- 

 labials ; scales on the body in 31 — 35 rows; 171 — 205 ventrals ; 

 42 — 52 subcaudals. No cruciform mark on the head. 



Total length, 750 millimetres ; tail 80. 



Habitat: Palestine, Arabia, Socotra. 



