VAKANUS ALBOGULAKIS. 
former oval, on the latter circular. On the nape and upper part of the neck the 
scales of a larger size than on any other part of the animal, and are besides 
more raised, with the granulations surrounding the discs very distinct. 
On the back and sides, the scales are disposed in waved transverse bands, 
and only differ from those of the neck in being of smaller size and less 
convex ; on the tail they are arranged in regular rings ; towards its base 
oval, and more or less completely margined by granulations ; towards the tip 
oblong, subcarinated and almost without any edging. On the chin, throat, 
and sides of the neck, the scales are small and oval ; on the breast somewhat 
circular, on the belly oval, in transverse rows, and only margined behind 
by granulations ; on the outer and anterior sides of the limbs towards the 
body, they are oblong ; towards the toes somewhat circular ; all surrounded 
by granulations ; on the inner sides again they are smaller and nearly circular. 
The inner toe of hinder foot very short and robust ; the outer one much 
removed from the rest ; on the fore foot the inner toe is shorter than any of 
the others, but longer than the corresponding one of the hinder foot. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Feet. Inches. 
Length from the nose to the tip of 
the tail 2 8* 
of the tail 1 6 
from nose to base of fore 
legs 0 5 ^ 
Inches. Lines. 
Distance between the fore ancl the 
hinder legs 0 7 
Length of the fore legs to the apex of 
the nail of the longest toe... 4 9 
of the hinder leg to ditto 5 6 
The female, as regards external appearances, differs but little from the male. 
Though no specimens of this species were obtained south of Latakoo, yet there is reason to 
believe it occasionally occurs within the limits of the Cape Colony ; it is, in all proba- 
bility, the animal which is called the Das adder by the colonists, and which is so much 
dreaded under an idea of its being extremely venomous. It is usually discovered in rocky pre- 
cipices, or on low stony hills, and when surprised seeks concealment in the chinks of the former, 
or in the irregular cavities of the latter ; and when any inequalities exist upon the surface of 
the rocks or stones, it clasps them so firmly with its toes, that it becomes a task of no small 
difficulty to dislodge it, even though it can be easily reached. Under such circumstances, the 
strength of no one man is able to withdraw a full-grown individual ; and I have seen two per- 
sons required to pull a specimen out of a position it had attained, even with the assistance of a 
rope fixed in front of its hinder legs. The moment it was dislodged it flew with fury at its 
enemies, who by flight only saved themselves from being bitten. After it was killed, it was 
discovered that the points of all the nails had been broken previously, or at the moment it lost 
its hold. It feeds upon frogs, crabs, and small quadrupeds ; and from its partiality to the two 
former, it is often found among rocks near to springs or running streams, which fact having 
been observed by the natives, has led them to regard it as sacred, and not to be injured with- 
out a danger of drought. 
* Specimens arc occasionally obtained, which measure between four and five feet. 
