SNAKE-POISON LITERATURE. 5 



Bungarus Fasciatus (Raj Samp of the natives) Bimgarue 

 is triangular-shaped, and has a prominent back, 

 along which runs — as in the only other snake, the 

 Krait — a row of hexagonal scales. It has alter- 

 nate bands of blue and yellow running across its 

 body. I have seen one six feet long, though much 

 smaller ones are usually met with. The natives of 

 Eastern Bengal believe that this snake has two 

 heads. The Daboia Russelli — Shiah Chvmder, Daboia. 

 Chundra Bora, and Ulubora of the natives 

 of Bengal, and the Tic Polonga of Ceylon — is 

 usually found about four feet long. It has a 

 triangular-shaped head and a distinct neck ; its 

 body is robust and its tail thin; its body has 

 a grey or chocolate-coloured ground with black 

 white-edged rings, some round, and others some- 

 what oval, and not unlike the markings on a 

 Paisley shawl. The fangs are larger than those 

 of any other Indian snake. It is believed that 

 these snakes are common in Bengal, but much 

 correspondence, and the offer of rather large 

 rewards for live creatures, have brought me 

 only one miserable specimen during the whole 

 year.* I think, however, that they must 



* Since writing the above, three good specimens have 

 been sent from Midnapore. 



