238 SNAKES. 



favoured in having tiny orifices for the egress of the tongue 

 tips on each side of its lobulated snout. 



Its profile, being somewhat remarkable, is here presented 

 to the reader, who will perhaps 

 detect a certain determination 

 in that very beak-like snout. 

 This species is found along the 

 Burman coast. Another, though 



. , . , , Enhydfina. From Fayrer's 



keepmg to its native element, has Thanatophidia. 



explored the Pacific to the very borders of America, and 

 has been seen on the western coast of Panama. This is 

 Pelaniis bicoloi% of distinct black and yellow, like a striped 

 satin ribbon. The back is black, and the belly brown or 

 yellowish, and its rather short, flat tail is spotted with a 

 bluish colour as well. None of his relatives venture so far 

 from the oriental islands as Pelaniis. His presence as far 

 north as New Caledonia has not, that I am aware of, been 

 authoritatively recorded ; we cannot suggest, therefore, the 

 probability of *J. J. A.'s ' sea snakes, 'stupid and fearless,' 

 being 'incredible numbers' of the Pelamis family. Dr. 

 Stradling affirms that they are ' not unfrequently met with 

 along the eastern coast of South America, and that one 

 found its way on board the royal mail steamship Douro, 

 and concealed itself under the covering of the patent lead, 

 having probably climbed up the quarter line as she lay 

 made fast to the wharf at Santos.' ^ 



Some slight controversy on the possibility of Pelamis 

 'climbing' followed this statement. But Mr. F. Buckland 

 also recorded one Svhich crawled up the anchor-chain of 



^ See />V/^/ newspaper, June 25, 18S1. 



