THE SHOOTER SUN. 115 



ground color is grayish-olive, brown, or brownish-yellow ; along the back runs a chain of zig- 

 zag blackish markings, and a series of little triangular spots is found upon each side. The 

 largest specimen I have yet seen in a wild state was one of the yellow varieties. Sometimes 

 the ground is brick-red, and now and then a nearly black specimen is found. Mr. Bell 

 mentions an example where the ground color was grayish-white, and the markings jetty- 

 black. 



THE reptile that is called by the significant title of DEATH ADDER, or DEATH VIPER, is 

 a native of Australia, where its poisonous fangs render it an object of much fear. A very 

 excellent, though short description of this Snake is given by Mr. Bennett in his "Wanderings 

 in New South Wales." 



"The most deadly Snake in appearance, and I believe also in effect, is one of hideous 

 aspect, called by the colonists the Death Adder, and by the Yas natives ' Tammin,' from hav- 

 ing a small, curved process at the extremity of the tail ; or, more correctly, the tail terminat- 

 ing suddenly in a small, curved extremity, bearing some resemblance to a sting. It is consid- 

 ered, by popular rumor, to inflict a deadly sting with it. 



"This hideous reptile is thick in proportion to its length ; the eye is vivid yellow, with a 

 black longitudinal pupil. The color of the body is difficult to be described, being a complica- 

 tion of dull colors, with narrow, blackish bands shaded off into the colors which compose the 

 back ; abdomen slightly tinged with red ; head broad, thick and flattened. The specimen I 

 examined measured two feet two inches in length, and five inches in circumference. A dog 

 that was bitten by one died in less than an hour. The specimen I examined was found coiled 

 up near the banks of the Murrumbidgee river ; and being of a torpid disposition, did not 

 move when approached, but quietly reposed in the pathway, with its head turned beneath its 

 belly." 



The generic title of Acanthophis, or Thorny-Snake, is given to this species on account of 

 the structure of the tail, which is furnished at its extremity with a recurved horny spine. 



RIVER OR SEA SERPENTS. 



WE now arrive at a very remarkable family of Snakes, which pass their lives in water, 

 either fresh or salt, and are river or sea Serpents as the case may be. In order to enable them 

 to pass through the waters without injury to the organs of respiration, the nostrils are 

 furnished with a valve so as to prevent the ingress of water while the creature is below the 

 surface. 



A good example of these marine Serpents is the BLACK-BACKED PELAMIS (Pelamis 

 bicolor) the Nalla Whallagee Pam of the Indian fishermen. This Snake is found only at sea, 

 and is said seldom if ever to approach the shore, except for the purpose of depositing its eggs, 

 which are laid on the beach sufficiently near high-water mark for the young Snakes to seek 

 their congenial element as soon as they are hatched. The Black-backed Pelamis is frequently 

 found sleeping on the surface of the sea, and is then caught without much difficulty, as it is 

 forced to throw itself on its back before it can dive. It has been suggested that this 

 movement is intended to expel the air in the ample lungs. Sometimes it is unwillingly 

 captured by the fishermen in their nets, and is an object of considerable dread to them on 

 account of the formidable character of its teeth. In these Serpents the fangs are but little 

 larger than the other teeth of the jaw, but can be distinguished by their slightly superior 

 size a.nd the groove that runs along their front edge. The average length is about one yard. 



THE SHOOTER SUN (HydropMs obscura) is another of the sea Serpents. This reptile 

 is also one of the Indian species, and inhabits the sea or the saline waters of the river-mouths, 

 not being able to exist in fresh water. It is an admirable swimmer, but is very awkward 

 on dry land, and cannot survive for any length of time unless it has access to salt water. The 

 outline of this Serpent is most remarkable. The head and neck are almost absurdly minute 



