€4 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 



The scales are keeled, and the tail, which is short 

 and narrow, terminates in a spine. Many persons 

 imagine that the venomous properties are contained in 

 this spine, an idea which may be at once dispelled. 

 Although the function of the spine is not clear, it 

 probably assists in progression. Another popular notion 

 is, that the Death Adder is not a snake, but some 

 creature without affinities. Both these fallacies may 

 owe their origin to the Bible, wherein we read : 

 (Proverbs xxiii., 32) " It biteth like a serpent and 

 stingeth like an adder." 



The Death Adder occurs almost throus^liout Aus- 

 tralia, frequents sandy districts, and is often observed 

 on roads. It produces from a dozen to fifteen young, 

 and is usually met with only during the warmer period 

 of the year. 



t Central Australian Death Adder. 



Acanthophis pyrrhus, Boulenger. 

 S. 21, Y. 146, A.l, S.C. 50. 



Recently described from a single specimen, it is 

 improbable that this species will ultimately prove to be 

 distinct. It is very like the red variety of the common 

 Death Adder, with which we are familiar from the more 

 arid regions. Length, 1 foot 9 inches. 



This sub-family may be closed by the enumeration 

 of the following snakes, assigned to four genera : — 



