384 LOWER VERTEBRATES. 



The Callophides are characterized liy the small number of scale rows, there being 

 only thirteen, and by the grooved maxillary fang standing alone. The several species 

 are very similar to one another. The head is of moderate length, and not separate 

 from the body ; the cleft of the mouth is but little extensible, and the scales of the 

 body are smooth and polished. Tlie genus is restricted to British India, and the 

 members are more abundant on the continent than in the Archi2jelago. They repre- 

 sent the American JElaps, the African Sbmorelaps, and the Australian I'^ermicella. 

 They are thus terrestrial forms, preferring the hilly countries to plains, and are of 

 slow and sluggish movement. In their general form they closely resemble the abun- 

 dant Calamaridse, on the members of which genus they chiefly feed ; the venomous 

 reptile being able to overpower the non-venomous. It is a strange fact that the dis- 

 tribution of these two genera is over the same geographical area, and, though both are 

 abundant in India, a sj^ecimen of neither genus has ever been found in Ceylon. The 

 sight and hearing of CaHo2)his is extremely defective, making it an easy matter for 

 the collector to secure them. Though they can only be induced to bite after consider- 

 able agitation, they are nevertheless very poisonous, and the greatest caution is neces- 

 sary in collecting or handling them. Animals inoculated with the venom have died 

 in from one to two hours, though the small fangs and scanty supply of poison renders 

 it quite easy, in case of accident, to prevent any fatal results, j'rovided onlj' that the 

 proper remedies are at hand. 



One of the most beautiful of Australian opliidians is the scarlet-spotted snake J^ra- 

 chysoma diadema. Its general color is brown, each scale having a yellow spot in its cen- 

 tre, and the neck, which is distinctly constricted, is surrounded by a bright scarlet collar. 

 While the scales of this species are disposed in fifteen rows, those of J3. triste are in 

 seventeen. The genus J^ermicella has the head like H^laps, and a j'air of minute 

 grooved fangs, without any other teeth in the upper jaw. These characteristics con- 

 nect it, as well as allied Australian forms, more intimately with the Ela2ndes of the 

 western than of the eastern hemisphere. 1'^. annidaia is called by the native collectors 

 the black-and-white ringed-snake, and inhabits nearly every part of the insular conti- 

 nent. It is at once recognized by the alternate black and white rings, which encircle 

 the bod}', and by its peculiar dentition. 



The arrow-headed Dendraspis, Dendraspis ayigusticeps, is an inhabitant of South 

 Africa, and is quite abundant at Natal. It is long, sometimes reaching six feet, slen- 

 der, very active, and a good climber. Its color is olive brown, Avith green above and 

 a paler shade below. JNIuch different in fornr is the death-adder of Australia, known 

 to science as Acanthophis antarctica. Its popular name is most characteristic, as it 

 is a very dangerous reptile, being provided with long immovable fangs, and jjossessing 

 venom of a most dangerous character, though not so virulent as that of the cobras or 

 rattle-snakes. A frog severely bitten l)y a large death-adder has been known to live 

 more than twelve hours. The peculiar tail, the terminal portion of which is com- 

 pressed, and covered with enlarged scales, the last being formed like a thorn, though 

 it only becomes hard in old individuals, is neither an instrument of offence or defence, 

 though the natives suppose it to be a most effective instrument of death. It is from 

 this peculiar appendage that the generic name has been given. 



The gcwws, Denisonia'i?, peculiar in having — though it is a poisonous snake — a 

 loreal shield, an ornament Avhich is usually characteristic of innocuous ophidians. It 

 is a rare snake, of only ordinary size, inhabiting Queensland. 



The family IIydrophid^, or sea-snakes, includes a group of highly specialized 



