CROTALID.^. 383 



more or less confluent spots, extending downwards on the sides. Sides and belly with rather 

 irregular series of rounded black or brown spots. This variety is intermediate between var. /3 

 and var. S, and has been named sinuata. 



Var. 5. Yellow, with about fifty brown, black-edged cross bands, extending nearly to the 

 belly, which again is crossed by narrow vertical brownish-black streaks, alternating with the 

 dorsal bands. Some of the dorsal bands are confluent, forming a zigzag band. Head yellow, 

 variegated with black : H. variegata, Schleg. ; P. ornata. Gray ; varietas alternans, Fischer. 



This species is one of the most common Sea-snakes, and has the widest geographical range 

 of all the species of this family ; it appears to be found throughout the tropical and sub- 

 tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. We have received specimens captured oft" 

 the coast of Madagascar, in the sea between Australia and New Zealand, and the Sea-snakes 

 seen off" the coast of Panama appear to belong to this species. Fischer {I. c.) mentions speci- 

 mens, preserved in the Berlin Museum, and marked " West Coast of Mexico," and the British 

 Museum has received a specimen said to be from Panama. None of the specimens we Imve 

 examined exceed a length of 3 feet. 



Third Suborder. 



OPHIDII riPEIUFOBJIES—MVERlNE SNAKES. 



Snakes with a long-, perforated, erectile fang on the maxillary, which is 

 extremely short, without any other teeth. 



They are divided into two families : — 



Loreal region with a pit between the eye and nostril .... Crotalid.e, p. 383. 

 Loreal region flat, without pit ViperidvE, p. 395. 



FAMILY OF F\T-\ l?ER^— CIi07\JLID^. 



Body robust ; tail of moderate length or rather short, sometimes pre- 

 hensile ; head broad, subtriangular, frequently scaly above or imperfectly 

 shielded ; a deep pit on the side of the snout, between the eye and nostril ; 

 eye of moderate size, with vertical pupil. Viviparous. 



The Pit- Vipers are found only in Asia and America ; those of the New World surpassing 

 the Asiatic species in size, and therefore they are much more dangerous. A rudiment of the 

 curious caudal appendage of the American Rattlesnakes is found as a simple spine-lilve scale 

 in some of the Asiatic species (Halys). Some live on bushes, others on the ground. 



