SERPENTS. 



383 



and they rarely attack animals too large for them to swallow. Not- 

 withstanding that their food consists of birds, squirrels, &c., they do 

 not climb trees. These serpents usually keep themselves coiled 

 spirally near a watering place frequented by small mammals. There 



Fig. 314 —rattle-snake. 



they patiently wait until some victim presents itself, and when 

 within roach they spring upon it with the rapidity of lightning. 

 There are many species of these terrible animals. The negroes eat 

 their flesh. 



The Fer-de.lance {CraspedocepJicdus* lanceolatus) is one of the most 

 deadly serpents of the West Indies, where it principally haunts the 

 plantations of sugar-cane. Concealing themselves under the long 

 leaves wherewith the earth is strewn, they carry on a constant 

 warfare against lizards, small birds, and rats. The latter animal 

 forms the chief article of their food. When at rest this snake coils 

 itself up in four circles of equal diameter one above another, under 

 the last of which is placed the tail ; the head, terminating the upper 

 extremity of the coil, is a little reared and drawn backward. From 

 this position it throws itself with the rapidity of an arrow upon its 

 victim. 



The Horned Vipers (Cerastes) found in the burning sands of 

 Africa ; the Hooded Snakes {Naja), common in India ; the Puff- 

 Adder (Clotho), of the Cape of Good Hope, and hosts of others 



* KodaiTidou, craspedon, an edge or border; k? ^ay\ /?, cejihale, the 

 head. 



