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This genus is characterised by the size of the maxillary bones, which is equal to that of the palatines; a pair of large poison-fangs followed by two to four small teeth; head not distinct from the neck; eye small with round pupil; nostril between two nasal shields. Body cylindrical; scales oblique, smooth, in 13 or 15 rows; ventrals rounded. Tail very short, subcaudal shields in 2 rows.

Six species are known:—

(1) E. guentheri.—Scales in 13 rows. Snout short, rounded; first lower labial shield in contact with its neighbour behind the symphysis. Internasal shorter than the præfrontals; length of frontal three-fourths of that of the parietals.

Coloration whitish or grey above, with black, white-edged cross-bands. Belly dirty white, brownish, or grey.

Total length, 520 millimetres; tail 50.

Habitat: Gaboon, Congo, Angola, Central Africa.

(2) E. niger.—Snout and arrangement of scales as before. Internasal shields three-fourths of the length of the præfrontals; frontal two-thirds of the length of the parietals.

Colour, black all over.

Total length, 420 millimetres; tail 30.

Habitat: Zanzibar.

(3) E. hessii.—Snout as in foregoing. Symphysial shield of the lower lip in contact with the anterior chin-shields.

Colour grey, with black cross-bars; a series of black spots on the sides, between the bars; large black blotch on nape; belly white.

Total length, 160 millimetres; tail 12.

Habitat: Congo.

(4) E. decosteri.—Snout obtusely pointed.

Colour, dark grey, each scale edged with black; belly white.

Total length, 380 millimetres; tail 38.

Habitat: Delagoa Bay.

(5) E. sundevallii.—Snout obtusely pointed.

Colour reddish-brown, with yellow transverse bands, the scales in which are edged with reddish-brown; upper lip and belly yellow.

Total length, 510 millimetres; tail 43.

Habitat: Caffraria.

(6) E. boulengeri.—Scales in 15 rows.

Colour black on the back, with narrow white transverse bands; head white, with a black streak along the parietal suture; belly blackish-grey.

Total length, 170 millimetres; tail 14.

Habitat: Zambesi.