THE USE OF SNAKES. 193 



two large snakes, just killed, which I Avould gladly have 

 preserved had it been possible. They were, the ^egros told 

 us, " Dormillons," or " ^Mangrove Cascabel," a species as yet, T 

 believe, undescribed ; and, of course, here considered as very 

 poisonous, owing to their likeness to the true Cascabel,^ 

 whose deadly fangs are justly dreaded by the Lapo hunter. 

 For the Cascabel has a fancy for living in the Lapo's burrow, 

 as does the rattle-snake in that of the prairie dog in the! 

 Western United States, and in the same friendly and harmless 

 ashion ; and is apt, when dug out, to avenge himself and 

 his host by a bite which is fatal in a few hours. But these 

 did not seem to me to have the heads of poisonous snakes ; 

 and, in spite of the entreaties of the terrified Kegros, I opened 

 their mouths to judge for my "self, and found them, as I ex- 

 pected, utterly fangiess and harmless. I was not aware then 

 that Dr. De Yerteuil had stated the same fact in print ; but 

 I am glad to corroborate it, for the benefit of at least the 

 rational people in Trinidad : for snakes, even poisonous ones, 

 should be killed as seldom as possible. They feed on rats 

 and vermin, and are the farmer's good friend, whether in the 

 Tropics or in England ; and to kill a snake, or even an adder 

 who never bites any one if he is allowed to run aAvay is, 

 in nineteen cases out of twenty, mere wanton mischief. 

 Tlie way was beguiled, if I recollect rightly, for some miles 



^ Trigonoceplialus Javaraca. 

 VOL. II. 



