56 
POPULAR SCIE^'CE RETIEW. 
more graceful in its movements, and turns more rapidly. It is 
occasionally seen with the snake-charmers, who prize it highly 
as a show ; but they say it is exceedingly dangerous to catch, 
and difficult to handle before its fangs are removed.” 
The Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), having a slender body and 
no hood, wears an aspect much less formidable than either the 
Cobra or Hamadryad. In length it reaches fifty-four inches. 
Three varieties are distinguished by Dr. GKinther, none ranging 
beyond the Indian peninsula. This species is very common, 
‘‘ and next to the Cobra is the snake most destructive to 
human life.” Its fangs are much smaller, “ and its poison is 
not so rapid in its action, which circumstance, with the com- 
parative smallness of the wound, gives greater hope of cure,” 
but such hope is not to be relied on. 
Dr. Fayrer points out that the Krait “ may be mistaken for 
Lycodon aulicus, an innocent snake, the colouring and general 
appearance being in many cases very similar. The least ex- 
amination of the mouth * would detect the difference, but at 
first sight they are much alike, and are often mistaken, the 
Lycodon suffering for its resemblance to its poisonous fac- 
simile.” 
The Indian viper (Vipera Eussellii), a hardy snake, fifty 
inches in length, is sometimes placed in a distinct genus, 
Daboia. Though without a hood, its physiognomy is more 
decidedly thanatophidian than that of the three preceding 
serpents, from which it is at once distinguished by its well 
defined relatively broader viperine head, unlike that of any 
non-venomous snake. The top of the head is covered with 
ordinary scales ; the pupil is vertical ; the large nostril lies 
between three shields ; the body-scales are strongly keeled ; 
similar scales cover the sides of the head. This dangerous 
snake is stoutly built, and its greyish-brown body is most 
beautifully dappled with large black, light-edged rings, calling 
to mind the spots of the jaguar. These markings are very 
variable. A common species, it abounds in Burmah, Southern 
India, and Ceylon. Dr. Fayrer says it is often caught in the 
Botanic Gardens near Calcutta. It has several local names ; that 
of Tic-polonga, given to it in Ceylon, is the best known. Its 
prey consists of various small animals, and it is reported that it 
“ often kills cattle, biting them when grazing.” Though a 
terrestrial snake, “ it will go into water.” Dr. Bussell believed 
the Indian viper to be as poisonous as the Cobra. The experi- 
ments of Dr. Fayrer incline him “ to agree with Dr. Bussell, 
and to give it, at all events, a place next to the ( Ci . : . ^ c 
* Dr. Fayrer does not tell ns how this pleasant operation is to he per- 
formed. 
