PSEUDOBOA FASCIATA. 79 



Scytalc Ziczac ; Baud, HorrataPam ; Russell Ind. Serp. p, 2, t. 2. Boa llonala ; 

 Shaw, Zool. iii. p. 359. 



This serpent inhabits India. It is a small species, rarely exceeding 

 fifteen inches in length, and is called by the natives Horrata Pam. 

 Its colour is a dark brown, with a row of spots on the ridge of the 

 back, from the neck to the extremity of the tail, varying a little in 

 size and figure, but all of a dull yellowish colour edged with black. 

 Along each side runs a conspicuous waving fillet of the same 

 colour, and on the head are four remarkable dark spots, the largest 

 of which bears some resemblance to a horse-shoe. The scuta are 

 yellowish white, and all the abdominal ones are marked with three 

 or four dusky spots. The head is rather small than large, depressed, 

 obtuse, and entirely covered with very small carinated oval scales. 

 The scales on the body are carinated, oval, and larger than those 

 on the head. The mouth is small, and the lower jaw somewhat 

 shorter than the upper. There are two rows of palatal teeth ; but 

 no marginal row, and the fangs are large, one on each side of the 

 upper jaw. The eyes are lateral, orbicular, very large, and placed 

 very forward. The trunk gradually swelling from the neck, and 

 tapering towards the tail, which is short and pointed. The poi- 

 sonous organs of this snake show it to be very noxious, but in what, 

 degree it is so has not hitherto been correctly ascertained. It is 

 reported, however, to be one of the most fatal of serpents ; and is 

 supposed by Dr. Russel to be the Virgen Pamhoo of the Tamools, 

 against whose bite a double dose of the Tranjore pill is directed to 

 be given. 



XIV. 

 PSEUDOBOA FASCIATA, 



Fasciated Pscudoboa. 



Gen. Char.— Plates on the belly and under the tail 

 single ; head short, covered with large plates ; occiput 



