342 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



gined with dull yellow or greenish. Unlike the pattern 

 of the Bushmaster, these bands are narrower on the back 

 than on the sides ; they widen considerably as they extend 

 downward. Several species of similar pattern and con- 

 figuration inhabit Central America and tropical South 

 America. They give birth to large litters of young — 

 as many as three dozen in a brood. 



To appreciate the life of this nocturnal prowler we 

 must draw a crude pen picture of the tropics and no- 

 where can we select a more appropriate spot than the 

 beautiful island of Martinique. Prior to the cataclysm, 

 when Mont Pelee let down its pall of death, the Lance- 

 Head Snake was becoming menacingly common in many 

 parts of the island. The eruption killed great numbers 

 of the snakes, but in proportion to those areas saved 

 from the rain of ashes by the winds, the danger from 

 poisonous snakes has not been materially lessened. 



It is night over the tropical luxuriance of Martinique 

 — the night born only in the Caribbean. During the 

 sultry day preceding, the sun has beaten down upon the 

 palms and tangled vines until its merciless rays drove 

 all the forest dwellers into shelter. But the great red 

 orb has plunged away into the west, bringing sudden 

 half-light and quicker darkness. 



In the trunk of a mighty tree that has long since suc- 

 cumbed to a bolt from a passing shower, the Fer-de- 

 Lance has been coiled and waiting for the night. The 

 interior of the hollow trunk is damp and forms a snug 

 resting place for the velvety folds of the snake. Around 

 it crawl large scorpions, while clinging high above in the 

 rotting shaft a nervous bat prepares for flight. This 

 creature creeps toward a crevice in the tree ; with the un- 

 folding of the clammy wings a few particles of debris 



