SNAKES. 191 



Family III. Colubrid^. 



(Snakes.) 



More than half of the total number of species 

 belonging to the Order Ophidia are of this Family, 

 which is the most extensive of all the natural 

 groups of Reptiles. They are widely scattered 

 over the regions of both hemispheres, extending 

 nearly to the limits of the Frigid Zones, though, 

 like other Reptiles, most abundant in the tropics. 

 Few of them attain a large size ; but their form is 

 for the most part slender and elegant, and many 

 are adorned with the most brilliant hues and re- 

 flections. 



The true Snakes are destitute of poison -fangs ; 

 they have two rows of teeth in the palate, and 

 a similar row in each jaw ; the head is covered 

 with broad plates, the 

 under parts with pa- 

 rallel shields or scuta, 

 which beneath the tail 

 are arranged in two 

 series ; the tail is 



1 ,1 T , T HEAD OF SNAKE. 



lengthened, tapered, 



and destitute of any terminal appendage; there 

 are no spurs or other vestiges of limbs, either 

 externally or internally. 



The prey of the Snakes consists of any small 

 animals which they can procure ; lizards and frogs, 

 small birds, mice, and shrews, are the food of the 

 smaller kinds, and the larger devour rats, voles, 

 and poultry ; eggs and milk are delicacies with 

 these reptiles. They are remarkably agile in their 



