A. hypnale ([fig. 31]).—Snout more or less turned up, with a hard, pointed end; 7-8 supralabial shields; body scales in 17 rows; 125-155 ventrals; 28-45 subcaudal pairs.
Coloration very variable; brown, yellowish, or greyish above, sometimes with dark brown spots or transverse bands. Cheeks brown, with a longitudinal, white, black-edged streak on each side of the neck. Belly more or less speckled with dark brown.
Total length, 480 millimetres; tail 65.
Habitat: Ceylon, and Western Ghats of India as far north as Bombay.
In Ceylon this snake is known as the Carawalla. It is much dreaded, but its bite is not rapidly fatal.
(f) Lachesis.
This genus has many representatives in Asia and the New World. The American species are for the most part of larger size and more formidable.
They are characterised by a triangular head, covered with small scales or small shields, and by a cylindrical or compressed body. The Asiatic species have the subcaudal scales in two rows and the tail short, and often prehensile, which enables them to climb trees or bushes, where they lie in wait for their prey.
Their classification is based upon the following characters:—