THE PBINCIPAL SPECIES OF POISONOUS SNAKES 113 



sharply keeled : LsO — 240 ventrals ; 46 — 70 subcaudals, all or the 

 greater part in two rows. 



Coloration very variable, grey, brown, yellow, olive, or reddish ; 

 uniform or with more or less distinct dark spots, or cross-bands, 

 or with dark triangles on the sides enclosing pale rhombs ; a dark 

 streak from the eye to the angle of the mouth ; belly yellowish, 

 uniform, or spotted with brown. 



Total length, 1,600 millimetres ; tail 190. 



Habitat : Tropical America ; Mexico, Martinique, St. Lucia, 

 Bequia Island near St. Vincent, Venezuela, Guianas, Rio de Janeiro. 



This snake does not exist m Guadeloupe. " In the islands in 

 which it is found," says Dr. Eufz de Lavison, " its presence makes 

 itself felt even where man has built his dwelling and cultivates 

 the soil. Because of it no one can carelessly lie down to rest in 

 the shade of a tree ; no one can walk in the woods or enter un- 

 concernedl}^ into the pleasures of the chase." It is especially 

 abundant in coffee and sugar plantations, and is met with from the 

 sea-level up to the summits of the highest mountains in Martinique 

 and St. Lucia. It not infrequently makes its way into human 

 habitations, and is not uncommon in gardens, even entering those 

 of the town of Fort-de-France. 



It does not seek its prey by day, but remams on the alert, 

 always ready to bite. With open mouth, and fangs projecting for- 

 wards, it strikes with the rapidity of lightning. It swims in the 

 rivers and moves over the ground with great speed, Oviposition 

 takes place m July, and the young are hatched forthwith, the 

 usual number being from about 50 — 60. 



It feeds upon lizards and rats, but also destroys a certain number 

 of fowls and turkeys. All the large animals are afraid of it. Its 

 bite is extremely dangerous, and causes about a hundred deaths 

 in Martinique every year. 



In striking at its prey or at a man, the Fer-de-lance throws 

 back its head and opens its jaws widely, with the fangs directed 

 forwards. It drives in its poison-teeth as with the blow of a 

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