CHAPTER XXII. 



THE XE NO DONS. 



AND MY 'discovery: 



THOUGH there are only about eight species that have a 

 legitimate right to this patronymic, there are — as my 

 readers have seen in chap. xix. — great numbers of * strange- 

 toothed ' snakes that have a zoological, or rather a dentitional 

 right to it. The present chapter, however, will comprise only 

 a few of those most nearly allied to the recognised Xenodons, 

 which with Heterodon must occupy some pages. 



The Xenodons have an especial interest, not only on account 

 of their remarkable dentition, but their vernacular names, 

 which in Brazil, where these snakes are common, have led to 

 much and frequent confusion. This can be remedied only 

 after considerable lapse of time, for the confusion has un- 

 fortunately been disseminated in print, and the vernaculars' 

 confused by local prejudices, still obtain. The incident of my 

 own first acquaintance with a Xenodon will in part explain 

 the kind of puzzle which prevails ; and a little personal 

 gossip about this may, I trust, be tolerated. 



595 



