Russell's viper

Full body study of a Russell's viper ("Daboia russellii") with two head studies, includes details of specimen size. The reptile is noted as being drawn from life. This painting forms plate 11 of "The Thanatophidia of India: being a description of the venomous snakes of the Indian peninsula, with an account of the influence of their poison on life, and a series of experiments", by Sir Joseph Fayrer FRS (1824-1907), J & A Churchill, London, 1872. From a set of paintings and drawings executed by students of the Government School of Art, Calcutta, under the direction of Sir Joseph Fayrer for his book "The Thanatophidia of India......". Images are occasionally endorsed by Fayrer's initials or monogram.