COLUBRINE GROUP. 
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measured upwards of 7 feet 3 inches, this cobra is distributed over the whole of 
India and Ceylon, ranging westwards through Afghanistan to the Caspian, and to 
the east to the Malayan region, and the south of China. The other Indian species, 
or giant cobra (IV. bungarus), is a larger snake, distinguished by the presence of a 
pair of large shields on the head behind the parietals, while the shields beneath the 
tail usually form only a single series. When adult, its colour is yellowish or brown, 
YOUNG GIANT COBRA OR HAMADRYAD {} Hat. size). 
with more or less distinctly marked dark crossbands; but young specimens are 
usually black, with yellow rings on the body and bars on the head, and in some 
instances there are light spots on the upper surface, and the inferior shields are 
whitish with black margins. In size, the giant cobra is known to measure as much 
as 13 feet, and probably grows larger. Fiercer than the common species, this 
cobra is fortunately far less abundant; its range extending from India through 
Burma and Siam to the Malayan region and the Philippines. Another species is 
the asp or Egyptian cobra (IV haie), which is widely spread over Africa, and 
