THE ORDER OF S'SAKES— OP HIDI A. 3 



the Ophidians, and which is only somewhat less developed in Blind Snakes 

 and other Burrowing Serpents than in the typical forms. The two halves 

 of the lower jaw in Ophidians are only united by an elastic ligament, and 

 even the bony portions of the head are not firmly joined together, and, with 

 the exception of the part protecting the brain, admit of a certain degree 

 of expansion ; by which means these snakes are enabled to extend their 

 gape to an extraordinary degree, and swallow animals larger than themselves. 



Some kinds, such as the Australian Rock Snakes, are furnished 

 with rudimentary hind limbs, in the form of small spur-like appendages 

 near the vent, which, being absent from venomous species, serve as an 

 indication that the reptiles which possess them are harmless. 



In a state of repose, serpents generally coil themselves up with their 

 heads resting upon top of the coil. They are enabled to raise the body 

 for a short time to about half its length without any support, but in a few 

 seconds the raised part falls to the ground ; this may perhaps accovmt for 

 current stories abou.t snakes springing at men and beasts. Those Australian 

 Snakes which are allied to the Najas of India, such as the Black, Brown- 

 Ijanded, and Tiger Snakes, when irritated, remain for some time with their 

 heads erect and moving backwards and forwards ready to strike, but no 

 more than a third of their body is thus elevated. Nearly all snakes are good 

 climbers, and with the least assistance, such as the sides of a box, they 

 can support the whole body, resting upon nothing but a part of the tail ; 

 even the short clumsy Death Adder is capable of performing this feat. 



The climbing power of the arboreal species — Tree Snakes and 

 Rock Snakes — is truly wonderful. For instance. Tree Snakes which had 

 been closely confined in an empty room, and could not be found for some 

 time, were at last discovered upon the moulding of a door nine feet from 

 the ground. 



Beyond a hissing and often peculiar drumming noise, snakes emit 

 no sound. Neither the harmless nor venomous kinds will offer to bite 

 unless they are hurt or driven into a corner whence escape is difficult, and 

 if left alone they will scarcely stir. An instance is known of a person who 

 picked up several stones close to a large Black Snake, without observing 

 his danger till warned by the hissing sound peculiar to snakes when 

 molested ; but no sooner had he proceeded to attack the rei)tile, by raising 

 his foot to crush it, than it uncoiled and escaped. 



