ECHIS.
Echis carinata.
Of the genus Echis, the Echis carinata is the only Indian species. It prevails in the North-West Provinces, Punjab, Rajputana, Central India, Sind, and in some parts of the Madras Presidency. About Delhi its indigenous name is “Afåe" (Fayrer). By Russell it is figured under the name of "Horatta Pam." In Sind it is known as the "Kuppur." The genus is described by Günther as follows:~"Head covered with keeled scales; a pair of very small frontals behind the rostral shield. Nostril small, round, directed upwards, situated in a large nasal shield, which is subdivided behind the nostril. Sides of the head covered with keeled scales, two series of which are between the eye and the low upper labials. Scales much imbricate, strongly keeled, in from twenty-five to twenty-nine series; those in the lateral series have their tips directed obliquely downwards." "With these they make the rustling sound" (Fayrer). "Sub-caudals one-rowed." The species Echis carinata is described by Günther as follows:-“Brown or brownish grey, with a series of sub-quadrangular or ovate whitish spots, edged with blackish brown; a sub-semicircular whitish band on each side of each of the dorsal spots, enclosing a round, dark brown lateral spot. A pair of oblong brown, black edged spots on the crown of the head, convergent anteriorly; a brown spot below, and an oblique broad streak behind the eye. Belly whitish, with more or less numerous round brown specks. Ventrals, 149-154; sub-caudals, 21-26."
“The Echis," says Sir Joseph Fayrer, “is fierce and aggressive. It is always on the defensive, ready to attack; it throws itself into a double coil, the folds of which are in perpetual motion, and as they rub against each other, they make a loud rustling sound, very like hissing. This sound is produced by the three or four outer rows of carinated
