53 



scales, while the scales along the back of vertebrae 

 of the Lycodons are of normal size, and although 

 both snakes are black, with white bands, the band- 

 ing is apparent on the ventrals of the Bungarus, 

 and absent on the belly of the Lycodon. To make 

 the deception more complete, the Lycodon has 

 enlarged front teeth, in imitation of the fangs of 

 the Bungarus Ceylonicus, though the former is 

 quite harmless. (The Hydrophobus Nympha also 

 imitates the latter snake.) 



These enlarged solid teeth go to prove that the 

 colouration is in this case protective ; a protection 

 against mankind, who, taking the snake to be a 

 poisonous Krait, give it a wide berth. It is also, no 

 doubt, safe from snake-eating birds, who leave the 

 Bungarus alone, either because it is unpalatable, 

 or in fear of its bite. 



The Python Molurus, on the other hand, is The 

 aggressively coloured. If it was of uniform colour Coiouraiion 

 its immense body would be at once noticeable, but Moiurus. 

 its skin being yellow and black, it harmonises with 

 the " shadow and sun " effect, so noticeable in the 

 jungle. This harmonising yellow and black colour- 

 ation is noticeable also in the skins of the tiger and 

 leopard. It is somewhat peculiar that the python 

 should be thus coloured, as it is a nocturnal snake, 

 which ambushes its prey at dusk, when, even if it 

 was of a bright uniform colour, it would be 

 invisible. 



At the same time the python would hardly 

 require its coloured skin as a protection whilst 

 lying asleep in the jungle, as its sole enemy is man, 

 and the danger it is exposed to is very slight 

 indeed. When young it is liable to attack by the 

 mongoose, but when it is so small as to be able to 

 be killed by the latter, a variegated pattern on its 

 skin is unnecessary, as its body would not be large 

 enough to attract attention, if of a uniform colour. 



