AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 51 



of 6 feet, and is generally met ^vitli among rocks and 

 fallen timber ; it deposits its eggs to the number of 

 twenty, or thereabouts, among dead leaves or other 

 debris. 



t Collared Brown Snake. 



Diemenia nuchaiis, Giinther. 



S. 17-19, V. 184-224, A. 2, S.C. 55-65 pairs. 



This snake cannot be distinguished from the above 

 without critical examination, and it is possible that the 

 Brown Snakes recorded from West Australia are 

 referable to this species ; it also occurs in the North-west. 

 In dimensions it reaches 5 feet 6 inches. 



t Black Snake. 



Fseudechis porphyriacus, Shaw. 

 Plate 9. 



S. 17, V. 180-200, A. 2, S.C. 50-60 pairs. 



This is our commonest venomous species, and is 



generally found throughout Eastern, Western, and 



Southern Australia. When adult, its bite often proves 



fatal. It is usually found in the vicinity of water, and 



