188 REPORT OF THE HARVARD AFRICAN EXPEDITION 
rechis and Atractaspis corpulenta. Of the cobras, which are all large snakes 
ranging from four to eight feet in length, the Dendraspis is thought to be the 
most dangerous and the most likely to attack human beings if disturbed under 
certain conditions. A specimen found in our camp under the bed in Dr. Shat- 
tuck’s tent measured six feet eight and one-half inches. The Causus viper, which 
is common in the country, is sometimes referred to as the “spitting snake” 
on account of its dribbling the venom from the point of its fangs when angry 
or disturbed. However, the natives sometimes also refer to the cobra as the 

No. 158. — Crocodilus cataphractus 
“spitting snake,” for some of the West African species, Naja goldw for example, 
are able to eject their venom to a distance. 
C. rhombeatus is an olive brown viper only about two feet in length. It 
is nevertheless very venomous, and is all the more dangerous because of its 
insignificant appearance and size. Atheris chlorechis, a tree-dwelling viper often 
found in low bushes, is bright green in color. It also is a small snake, not over 
two feet in length. 
The puff adders, Bitis gabonica and nasicornis, are variegated with black, 
yellow and brown, and grow to a length between four and five feet. They are 
frequently called by the natives “cassava snakes.” 8B. nasicornis is known 
also as the horned puff adder or the rhinoceros puff adder, from the two little 
quill-like horns above the nostrils, which are often erected when the snake is 
