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Echis carinatus (the Phoorsa). (Fig. 30).—This viper is characterised by the subcaudal shields being arranged in a single row. It is savage and very aggressive, being always ready to attack. Its length does not exceed 600 millimetres at the most. The colour of the body is grey, more or less dark and adorned with streaks, spots, and dots of blackish-brown. The back displays yellowish-white wavy lines, forming X-shaped markings. The upper side of the head exhibits a yellow spot surrounded by brown, and other small black spots, the whole arrangement forming a fairly good representation of a cross.

Fig. 30.—Echis carinatus. India. (After Sir Joseph Fayrer.)

This species is found in India, Persia, Baluchistan, Arabia, and Palestine; while, as we shall see, it also occurs in Africa. It is fairly common in the environs of Aden.

In moving over the ground a peculiar sound is produced by the friction of its scales. It is capable of springing with great agility a fairly long distance on to its prey. When it believes itself in danger it coils up, doubling its body twice in the shape of a crescent, in the middle of which it places its head, ready to strike. Its venom is very rapid in taking effect.