Page:The poisonous snakes of India. For the use of the officials and others residing in the Indian Empire (IA poisonoussnakeso01ewar).pdf/26

 12 NAJA

following list was furnished by a very intelligent Mohammedan, who has had much experience, and who, though not a snake-catcher originally by profession, lias been one for several years, and is exceedingly expert in catching and handling these reptiles. The first great distinction made by these people is between cobras with spectacles on the hood, or "Gokurralıs,' and those with one ocellus or other mark on the hood, named "Keautiahs. They maintain that these are distinct species, and that they vary considerably not only in appearance, but in habits and properties. Some gokurrahs, however, have no mark on the hood.

“The Gokurrah lias the following varieties :

"1. Kála, black; 2. Koyah, black and white; 3. Gomunalı, wheat-coloured; 4. Puddah, yellow coloured; 5. Dudiah, whitish coloured 6. Tentuliah, tamarind seed coloured; 7. Kurrees, earthy coloured; 8. Tameshur, copper coloured; 9. Puddun nág, golden coloured. The 2nd, 3rd, and 7th are the most common varieties about Calcutta.

"The Keautiah has the following:

"1. Kála, black; 2. Tentuliah, tamarind seed coloured; 3. Kurrees, carthy coloured; 4. Sonera, gold coloured; 5. Dudiah, whitish coloured; 6. Bans-buniah, mottled white and black; 7. Giribungha, brownish coloured; 8. Koyah, black and white coloured; 9. Sankha-mooklii, like the Sankni or Bungarus fasciatus, black and yellow. The Cobra is called in many parts of Hindostan Kúla samp,' Nág sanj.' The 1st, 2nd, and 6th are most common about Calcutta, and no doubt in different parts of Bengal many other varieties are described, and different names are given to those above-mentioned, for the natives are fond of refining on points of this kind."