AUSTfiALIAX SNAKES. 81 



The larger number of Death Adders are of a uniform grey color 

 al)ove, with forty or more darker rings from the neck to the tip of the tail ; 

 in very aged specimens these rings disappear or become very indistinct. 

 There are many other varieties, some very pale grey or red, and some quite 

 brick red, always more or less spotted or rcottled with a darker color. 

 The lower labial and chin shields are black-spotted in the centre, as also are 

 frequently the scales of the first or outer row on each side ; pink spots also 

 occur on these scales occasionally — in fact, all the grey Death Adders show 

 them distinctly ; but in spirits these pink spots disappear. The ventral 

 plates, in all varieties, are clouded with black ; the subcaudals show the 

 same color, and the tip of the tail is yellow or orange. 



The habitat of this species extends over the whole of Australia, 

 except Tasmania, South Victoria, and perhaps South and South-west 

 Australia. Dr. Gray records specimens from Port Essington, and from 

 N.W. Australia. Our own specimens were collected in almost every dis- 

 trict in New South Wales, and in parts of Queensland, extending as far 

 even as Cape York. 



That enterprising naturalist, Mr. Wallace, observed Death Adders 

 on some of the Islands of the Arafura Sea. 



Erom ten to fifteen young are produced annually, which, as soon 

 as they have broken the covering, and are scarcely dry, begin to snaj) right 

 and left when touched. There is one comfort, however, in the undoubted 

 fact that this snake is not so venomous as has been represented. A 

 few days ago experiments were made with a Lizard {Cyclodus yigas), a 

 young specimen about 7 inches long, and though a large Accmthophls was 

 appHed to its body, the Lizard lived for twelve hours afterwards. A Green 

 or Golden Tree Erog {Hyla aurea) bitten by the same snake, survived 

 about as long. Eormer experiments have been made with similar results.* 



* The popular name of " Adder" is applied to snakes and lizards ; the Sleeping Lizard is known as an 

 ■' Adder," and considered highly Tenomous by many persons. Not long ago, the death of a boy from tlie bite of 

 an " Adder," was recorded in the daily papers ; it was stated that the brave little fellow tried to rescue his two 

 dogs, both of which were bitten and died, and that the "Adder" jumped at him and wounded him in the leg ; 

 the Death Adder being rather sluggish in its habits, it is more tlian probable that the attacking reptile was a 

 Brown-banded Snake, Soplocephalus curtvs. 



