112 



VENOMS 



The name is derived from one of the Parcne, daughters of Night, 

 who placed the thread on the spindle, and upon whom depended 

 the fate of men. 



In addition to the 19 Asiatic species, of which we have already 

 given descriptions, the genus Lachesis includes '21 American species. 



(1) L. ))iiifi(s (Bushmaster, or Surucucu). — Two or three scales 

 separating the internasals in front ; 10 to 15 scales on a line be- 

 tween the supraoculars ; 9 or 10 supralabials. Scales tubercularl}' 

 keeled, feebly imbricate, in 35 or 37 rows ; '200 — 230 ventrals ; 

 32 — 50 subcaudals. 



Fig. G'.). — Lacliesis Innceolatus (Fer-dc-lancc of Martinique). 



(After Stejneger.) 



Colour yellow or pinkish on the back, with a series of large 

 rhomboidal brown or black spots enclosing smaller light spots ; 

 a black streak from the eye to the angle of the mouth. 



Total length, 1,995 millimetres ; tail 170. 



Hahitat : Central and Tropical South America. 



(2) L. hniceolafus (known as the Fer-de-lance in Martinique, 

 and Jararacussu in Brazil; fig. 69). — Snout obtuse, slightly turned 

 up ; upper head-scales small, imbricate, more or less strongly 

 keeled, in 5 — 10 longitudinal series between the supraoculars, 

 which are large ; 7 or 8 supralabials. Scales in 23 — 33 rows, 



