6 
DESCRIPTION OF 
OBSERVATIONS. 
The first specimen was sent from Madras by Dr. Anderson, who mentioned, in the letter 
which accompanied it, “ that it was exhibited by the snake-catchers as a show; that it 
“ showed little propensity to bite; that its bite, though not mortal, was said to produce a 
‘ c slow wasting at the extremities of the fingers and toes, like what happens in the pedda 
“ rocum of the natives: a disease nearly resembling the lepra Graecorum.” 
That the bite does not prove fatal, may be inferred from the absence of poisonous organs: 
how far the other effects are justly ascribed to it, is rather a matter of future inquiry, than 
at once to be rejected. 
A second specimen was afterwards sent by Dr. Anderson, under the name of Manooli 
Pamboo, which was of a lighter colour than the former. 
In December, 1 7 88, I received a living specimen from Ganjam, which enabled me to 
make some experiments on chickens. The snake arrived in excellent order, and bit fero¬ 
ciously ; but its bite was followed by no symptoms whatever of poison. 
