420 SNAKES. 



to arrive at the truth. In the Encyclopcedia Metropolitana, 

 1845, we find another clue to identification. 'TrigoiiocepJialus 

 inuttis, a native of the Brazils and Guiana, and from six to 

 seven feet long, is known to the Brazilians as Sicrnkuku, 

 and is probably the Boschmeester of the Dutch and the 

 Ccenicoussi of the native inhabitants.' 



Many writers of travels give the vernacular names only, 

 while the more scientific who do give generic and specific 

 names, may each give a different one and perhaps omit the 

 vernaculars ; and in none of the authorities does one discover 

 the name 'Bushmaster' at all; while as to colour and the 

 true size we can be sure of nothing. 



Presenting these complications to Dr. Stradling, whose 

 kindly proffered co-operation I had gladly accepted, he 

 wrote : * The vulgar names are often local in a limited area, 

 so that the same snake may be known by half-a-dozen 

 different synonyms in as many different provinces — not only 

 that, but these names are often applied to other snakes ; 

 and thus, while some species are blended together, many 

 imaginary ones are created.' 



This in part explains the varieties of spelling seen above ; 

 the two names coiianacoiicJii and ciiriicooai being applied to 

 one snake by different tribes of the native races extending 

 over a rather wide area. 



Further confirmation of these indiscriminate terms we find 

 in three other writers, viz. : — First, Dr. Dalton :i ' The boa 

 constrictor is known as " Bushmaster " by the colonists. 

 " Camoudi " is a name indiscriminately applied to all large 

 snakes. There is the land Camoudi, and the water Camoudi, 



1 History of British Giciana^ vol. ii. p. 370. By G. Dalton, M.D. Lend. 1855. 



