I 46 ] 
feature ol this formidable reptile is that it feeds on other snakes. 
Therefore the scientific name ' Ophwphagus\ the ' Snake-Eater,' 
by which is was formerly known. 
Closely allied to the Banded Adder and the Cobras is a 
gay coloured snake, also poisonous, the Dolioffhis bhirgatus, of 
which a niodd is exhibited too. Its head, tail and lower surface 
are bright red, but the back is dark with a light blue line on 
either side, and this line If followed again by a dark blue one. 
It rarely grows larger than 5 feet 
The last few snakes which we will consider are the 
vipers, well-known to be poisonous too and easily recognized 
by their triangular head. There is a black or purplish-black 
viper {Lackesis purpHreomaculatus), or * Ular bakau,' which is 
frequently found near the sea, in mangrove swamps and such 
like places, and specimens have repeatedly been brought to the 
Museum from Pulo Brani. It is about 5 feet in length. 
There are also several green and greenish yellow vipers, 
the largest of them the ' Ular kapak rimba,' Lachesis wagleri, 
often enough taken on Singapore island, as on Bukit Timah and 
elsewhere. The best known variety is green above ; its scales 
are black-edged, and numerous black and yellow bands run 
across the body. It measures about 2?^ feet. A cast of this 
viper, caught In the Botanic Gardens in March of this year, 
is exhibited. 
