192 OPHIDIA. COLUBRIDiE. 



motions, and of some, as the Black Snake {Coluber 

 const7'ictor) of North America, the fieetness on 

 the ground is reported to be equal to that of a 

 horse. Many of them climb about trees in 

 search of prey, and are often seen lying along upon 

 the branches, with the foreparts hanging down, or 

 ghding from bough to bough ; and there are 

 some species {Lepto'phis) of great length and 

 tenuity, distinguished by their bright colours and 

 changeable metallic reflections, which spend their 

 lives among the foliage of trees. Most of the 

 Family will voluntarily take to the water on 

 occasion, in which, though not displaying any 

 especial natatory structure, they are able to swim 

 with great elegance and rapidity both at and 

 beneath the surface. The common Ringed Snake 

 of our fields will often, as it is said, go into the 

 water in the pursuit of frogs, its favourite prey. 



The smaller harmless Snakes are exceedingly 

 numerous in warm countries, and inhabit various 

 localities and situations. Rocky places, old dry 

 walls, heaps of stones and rubbish, are favourite 

 haunts of many, others glide among the heaths 

 of upland plains, and others rustle the fallen 

 leaves beneath the trees of the damp forest ; some 

 live in the long grass of savannahs, some in the 

 dense and impenetrable jungle ; some resort to 

 the naked and burning deserts of sand and stone, 

 and not a few prefer the vicinity of swamps and 

 morasses. They occur, in fact, everywhere ; ^^ but 

 the numerous enemies they have among the 

 smaller quadrupeds and birds keep their increase 

 in check. The wild hog, peccary, badger, hedge- 

 hog, weasel, civet, ichneumon, and other Car- 

 nivora, devour them with avidity ; the stork, the 



