CLASS REPTILIA. 



115 



The Sea Snakes inhab- 

 it the Pacific and Indian 

 oceans, and are venomous, 

 though, owing to the fact | 

 that when removed from 

 the water they are inca- 

 pable of seeing well, they 

 are not considered dan- 

 gerous. Living a pelagic 

 life, their body is compressed 

 and posteriorly forms a broad 

 paddle-like tail. 



Rattlesnakes have on the 

 end of the tail a series of 

 horny enlargements, loosely 

 attached to each other, which, 

 when shaken, make a buzzing 

 noise. Each slough may leave 

 several new buttons, while the 

 end ones are dropping off 

 from wear ; hence the num- 

 ber is no indication of age. 

 The Copper-head, Moccasin 

 (mok'ka sin), etc., are venom- 

 ous snakes belonging to this 

 family. They are more 

 dangerous than the Rat- 

 tlesnake, as they give no 

 warning.* 



* On being bitten by an un- 

 known snake, the wound should be 

 examined, and if two large punct- 

 ures are not found, there need be 

 little apprehension, If it js found 



FIG. 197. 



Sea Snake. 



FIG. 198. 



C'ro' td lus hor' ri dus. Rattlesnake. 



FIG. 199. 



Skull of Rattlesnake, showing fangs. 



