334 



BEPTILIA. 



the purpose are applicable to most of the innocuous species. The 

 broad, flat and lanceolate form of head is not exemplified in the Cobra, 

 nor in the genus Bungarus , while the GallopMs genus is characterized 

 by a short obtuse head and a broad snout. The Croialidce and 

 Vrperidce approach the characters rather closely. Theobald says iu 

 the Appendix to his work on the Reptiles of British India, "practically 

 as regards poisonous snakes which are dangerous to man, the question 

 is narrowed to the consideration of a limited number of species, since 

 many from their small size, and others from their rarity, may be dis- 

 regarded, and hence perhaps the simplest way of learning what are 

 poisonous snakes would be to pass an hour or so in some museum 

 where acquaintance might be made with the commoner or more deadly 

 species." He adds " the rule is absolute and without exception that 

 every snake 'possessing a loreal shield (see Plate on p. 373) is harmless." 

 There are, however, a few exceptions of snakes possessing a loreal shield 

 being also innocuous, but these are otherwise readily known and do 

 not occur in Sind. 



The venomous snakes are — (1) The Hydrophidse, which possess a 

 flattened tail, the whole of which are deadly without exception. 

 Their fangs are small, but their venom extremely potent ; next are the 

 vipers possessing tubular, erectile fangs of great length, and then follow 

 the Cobra, the Bungarus and the giant Hamadryas. The Kuppur is the 

 viper of Sind, and is noted for its deadly venom as well as for the 

 great numbers in which it is found throughout the province, inhabit- 

 ing store-rooms and houses. 



Although it is said that the venom of a poisonous snake has no eSect 

 on another of the same kind, yet in the case of the bite of aKuppur it has 

 been proved to the contrary. Dr. Imlach, in his pamphlet on Snake bites 

 in Sind, says of it — " Fierce and aggressive, it is very much dreaded, 

 and numerous deaths are attributed to its bites ; even the Cobra, whose 

 poison is as deadly, falls a victim to it. In the society of the Kuppur 

 (Echis carinata) the Cobra appears as if fascinated, and even when 

 bitten makes no movement indicative that pain had been felt ; 

 still in a few minutes down goes its head and crest (hood), and ere 

 half an hour the reptile that had been capable of dealing death and 

 destruction has succumbed to the poison of one of the same family." 

 Dr. Payrer says " that the poison of the Kuppur killed a fowl in four 

 minutes, another in two minutes, and a dog in about four hours," and 

 Dr. Imlach " that the poison introduced into the system of a fowl induces 

 death in about three quarters of a minute." Death in a fowl occurs 

 much in the same way as in the human subject ; the mucous membrane 

 is powerfully acted on, the head gradually droops, the legs give way, 

 and the creature rolls on its side in the last agony of passing life. 



Of the Cobra {Naja tripv.dians) there are three varieties in Sind, and 

 the most common is that known as the black Cobra or Karo Nag of 

 the Sindees. This attains a length of from 4 to 5 feet. Being 

 commonly exhibited by snake charmers, its identity is perfect, and 

 notwithstanding the virulence of its poison, very few fatal cases are 

 recorded against it. In fact the popular belief of the Sindees is, that 



