254 Dr Smith on the Snakes of Southern Africa. 



length of the snake, which is usually about two feet two or three inches. 

 Scales smooth and slightly imbricate, towards neck and tail inclined to ovate, 

 but, about the middle of the body, a little disposed to an orbicular shape. 

 Scuta about 159, squamae 20. Motion rather quick; disposition ex- 

 tremely fierce ; and bite often mortal. 



This sort of snake is but rarely met with here ; indeed the pre- 

 sent is the first I have seen, though for the last four years I 

 have been endeavouring to procure one. The inhabitants assert 

 that it only moves about during the night, and thereby account 

 for its being so seldom found. 



ELAPS. 



a. With Fangs. 



6. Elaps punctatus. 



Koussehand or Garter-Snake of the Inhabitants. 



Ground colour, a deep jet-black, variously marked by minute white dots and 

 blotches. Along the centre of the back the spots are largest, and of irre- 

 gular forms, some being roundish, and others triangular, oblong or waved. 

 On each side of this central row is a zig-zag line of white dots, which 

 forms more or less frequent connections with the spots of the central row 

 just mentioned. Immediately under this second row, is a third also of 

 white dots, nearly straight, and extending distinctly from the head to the 

 tail. Colour below black and white, disposed in alternate transverse nar- 

 row lines, which, under the tail, appear in a double series. Head small, 

 somewhat ovate, roundish in front, and covered above by plates, the colour 

 of which are black, with an interrupted whitish line running along the 

 middle of the crown, and the sides slightly spotted with yellowish-white. 

 Mouth small. Neck not less than the head ; nor is any part of the body 

 larger than the neck ; so that the whole is therefore nearly of the same 

 thickness, except the tail, which tapers gently to a fine slender point, and 

 measures about one-eighth of the length of the whole, which, in the speci- 

 men described (the only one I have seen), was about nine inches, and no- 

 where thicker than a common quill. Scales smooth, slightly ovate, and 

 scarcely, if at all, imbricate. Scuta 183, squamse 38. 



This is a rare species of snake at the Cape ; its motion is 

 quick ; its appearance beautiful ; and its bite highly venomous ; 

 having in several instances occasioned death while it continued 

 alive in my possession. Other snakes besides this, which are 

 either remarkable for their beauty, or the variety of their colours, 

 Ivhen of a small size, are generally considered by the inhabitants 

 as a Kousseband. 



( To he continued.) 



