107 



shields, the two anterior being temporals. Scales smooth, 

 large, 15 rows. Ventrals above 200. 



O. ELAPS, Schlegel. The Hamadryad. Plate XVIII. 



Scales 15 ; on the hood there are about 19. Ventrals 

 215-262, subc. 80-100 ; about the first ten subcaudals are 

 entire, and sometimes the last few ventrals are two-rowed. 

 There are two varieties distinguished by the Burmans, the 

 dusky gnan bok and the banded gndn hwa. The former is 

 of general brownish olive colour. The latter is yellow, with 

 about 50 bands formed by black interstitial skin and black 

 margins to the scales, the latter increasing until towards the 

 tail the colour becomes black, with yellow bands, lower 

 pai'ts yellow, posteriorly black. The young snake is jet 

 black, with bright yellow bands ; in addition there are three 

 yellow bands on the head, one through the occipitals, one 

 through the vertical behind the eyes, and one through the 

 anterior frontals ; the two posterior of these consisting of a 

 large yellow spot on each shield. 



This snake grow,s to 12 feet in length ; when at bay its 

 head stands about two feet off the ground. From its large 

 size it i.s much less manageable than the cobra, but Burman 

 jugglers make it go through much the same performance. 

 It wiU eat other snakes, and there appears to be enmity 

 between it and the cobra, the latter (I am credibly informed) 

 attacking it with fatal effect. When watching its eggs it is 

 very savage, and will drive away by hostile demonstration, 

 or even pursuit, any passers-by ; at other times it is peace- 

 able enough. It is found in the jungles of Cuttack and 

 Burma, and in the Anamullays. 



BUNGARUS, Daudin. 



Tail short, head small, hardly distinct from the neck, the 

 skin of which is not dilatable. Eye small. Scales 15, smooth, 

 the vertebrals large and hexagonal. Ventrals above 200 



