AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 57 



the tail commences ; a series of irregular loop-like bands a scale wide which 

 diifer considerably in shape in each reptile cover the back. The belly is of 

 a shining dark lead color, much resembling that of the black-lead used 

 for polishing grates or stoves. Plates and scales of the head, and the side 

 of the face, yellow-spotted. In spirit, all the yellow marks turn white. 



The Broad-headed Snake is very local, and has never been found in 

 any part of Australia except on the south-east coast. All the specimens in 

 the Museum, and many hundreds distributed among kindred institutions, 

 were obtained in the immediate neighbourhood of Sydney. 



During the summer months they are very scarce, perhaps on 

 account of their nocturnal habits, but as they hibernate under flat stones 

 in sunny localities, it is not difficult to collect a good many during the 

 cold season ; they are, however, not so numerous as they were six or 

 eight years ago, their haunts having been invaded by the builder and 

 the gardener. Broad-headed Snakes frequent open scrubby country ; and 

 the rocky coast-line from the entrance of Port Jackson to Botany Bay is 

 still much frequented by them. On the shores of Middle Harbour, and of 

 the Lane Cove and Parramatta inlets, many specimens occur. Few persons 

 have ever seen this species, as it is not often met with in the day-time. 



The bite of this snake is not sufficiently strong to endanger the life 

 of man or of the larger animals; and experiments with goats and other 

 quadrupeds, such as dogs, ant-eaters {EcJiidna), &c., have never proved fatal. 

 The greater number observed seldom exceeded eighteen inches in length — 

 individuals of thirty-six inches are perhaps the largest ever obtained. If a 

 person be bitten by one of them, the simple act of sucking the wound is 

 sufficient to avert any unpleasant sensation ; but should nothing be done, 

 a violent headache, a certain stiffness in the spine, and some local swelling, 

 is generally the consequence. It takes from thirty minutes to an hour 

 before these symptoms set in. 



The snake which Mr. Schlegel describes as Noja humjaroides, in his 

 Ahh'Mungen, tab. 4*-^, figs. 17 and 18, is one of the many varieties of the 

 present species. 



M 



