OPHIDII YIPERIFORMES. 
This sub-order has two families: the Viper idee or Vipers, the 
Crotalidce or Pit-Yipers. 
I shall pass on to the description of the Indian forms of this 
sub-order, to complete that of the terrestrial poisonous snakes, 
leaving the Hydrophidce or pelagic Thanatophidia for subse¬ 
quent consideration. The Ophidii Viperiformes or viperine, 
differ essentially from the colubrine snakes. The maxillary 
bone is very short, and bears only one tooth, the long scimitar¬ 
like poison fang. A description of it has already been 
given. 
The head is generally broad, triangular, and covered with 
small scales instead of shields (there are exceptions, as Peltope- 
lor macrolepis). The body is short and robust, and the tail is 
sharp. The scales are frequently carinated. Some of the 
Indian forms are arboreal, and all are venomous. The 
broad triangular head generally without shields, the long 
moveable fang, and the comparatively short and robust body 
distinguish the viperine from the colubrine snakes. A deep 
pit in the loreal region between the eye and the nostril is 
characteristic of the Crotalidce. 
The family of Viperidce is represented in India by one of its 
most formidable genera, Baboia. 
The family of Crotalidce is represented by Primer esurus, 
Hypnale, and others ; but they fall far short of their congeners 
in the New World, where the Crotalus horridus and Craspeclo- 
cephalus braziliensis are almost, if not quite, as deadly as the 
Ophiophagus, Najci, and Baboia of India. 
The Calloselasma, the single species of a genus of the Crota¬ 
lidce of the same name, is represented as attaining to the length 
of three feet, and being very deadly. Gunther says, “ Kuhl 
was eye-witness of a case where two men, bitten by one and 
the same snake, expired five minutes after.” But this snake is 
an inhabitant of Java and Siam, and is not, that I am aware 
of, found in India. I allude to it merely to show that there is 
at least one deadly form of Asiatic Crotalus. The Indian 
species are mostly arboreal, and, though venomous, are much 
less dangerous and fatal than the venomous colubrine or 
viperine snakes, but deaths from their bite have been recorded. 
The Crotalidce of America are remarkable by a peculiar 
series of horny scales or rings at the tip of the tail, which 
make a rustling or rattling sound when the snake is agitated, 
and hence the name “ rattlesnake.” The only rudiment of this 
rattle in the Indian Crotalidce. is found in the genus Ilalgs, where 
the tail terminates in a horny point or scale. The viperine snakes 
are as a rule viviparous. Dr. Anderson, of the Indian Museum, 
informs me that he has taken as many as forty young ones out 
of a Baboia russellii. 
I have heard it stated that the Trimeresuri are oviparous, 
perhaps ovo-viviparous, but I have no personal knowledge that 
such is the case. 
VI PERI DM. 
I describe the Viperidce or Yipers first, for although represented 
by only two species, yet one, the Baboia, so far surpasses any of 
the Indian Crotalidce in death-dealing power, that, as Thanato¬ 
phidia, they are entitled to precedence. 
Gunther gives the following general description of the 
family :— 
" Body robust; tail rather short, not prehensile ; head broad 
or thick, generally scaly above, or incompletely shielded; no 
pit in the loreal region ; eye of moderate size, with vertical 
pupil.* Viviparous.” 
* Daboia russellii ha-3 a round pupil.—Cope, Philadelphia. I have myself 
recently examined the Daboia’s pupil in different lights. It is not round, but 
oval, and when exposed to a strong light, it contracts to a vertical slit. The iris is 
yellow, but across it there is a dark brown streak which aids in giving the ap¬ 
pearance of roundness to the pupil when dilated. 
A Pupil dilated in shade. 
A 
B ,, in moderate light. 
C ,, in strong light. 
The Yipers are terrestrial snakes. British India produces 
only two forms, the Baboia and Echis, whilst the Crotalidce are 
represented by a variety of Trimeresuri, Peltopelor, Ilcdys, and 
Ilypnale. Other formidable representatives of the Viperidce are 
found in Africa and Australia. 
DABOIA. 
Daboia russellii. 
There is only one species of the genus Baboia :— 
Daboia russellii or Tic-polonga, Gunther. 
Tic-polonga, Bavy. 
Coluber russellii, Shaw. 
Yipera elegans, Baud. 
„ daboia, Baud. 
Daboia elegans, Gray. 
„ pulcliella, Gray. 
„ russellii, Gray. 
Gunther gives the following description of the Baboia, which 
corresponds with those I have examined and experimented with : 
“ Greyish ” (light chocolate colour) “ brown, with three series 
of large black, white-edged rings, those of the middle series ovate, 
those of the outer circular; sometimes very small black, white- 
