NOTES. \1"97 



3. On the constricting habit o/Cohiber helena. — With reference 

 to my note (vol. III., part X., p. 157) on the constricting habit of 

 Coluber helena, I have since been able to prove the correctness of 

 rax supposition that this action is normally employed in the 

 capture of its prey. I have several times observed its capture of 

 a small skink {Lygosoma, sp.). On one occasion the Coluber had 

 captured a lizard and was tightly constricting it, the whole body of 

 the snake being twisted into a complicated knot. It commenced 

 work upon the tail, which became detached from the body of the 

 lizard and was promptly swallowed. The snake then apparently 

 forgot that the largest part of its captive was still enclosed in the 

 folds of its body, and began looking about for another victim. 

 Eventually it re-discovered its original capture and commenced 

 to engulph it, drawing it gradually through the encompassing coils. 



In huntingthe lizards it seems to be very inexpert, and repeatedly 

 failed to effect a capture. As soon as the lizard stopped the snake 

 lost interest in it and was attracted only by moving objects. 



E. ERNEST GREEN. 



4. Scorpion stings. — The sting of the small gray scorpions 

 (Isometrus, spp.) is popularly reputed to be more virulent than 

 that of the large black — or rather, dark blue-green — scorpion 

 {Palanuiceus, sp,). If this is really the case the sting of the latter 

 must be almost negligible. I have been recently stung on the 

 palm of my hand by a full-grown male Isometrus europceus. The 

 pain was by no means intense — not nearly as severe as that 

 caused by the sting of a bee or wasp — and completely passed off 

 within a very few minutes, without the application of any 

 remedy, leaving no trace or mark of any kind. It is possible that 

 the poison spine could not fully penetrate the thick skin, though 

 the puncture was in the median softer area of the palm. But I 

 have observed a case in which a child of three years old was 

 stung on the finger. The skin of a child at such a tender age 

 cannot afford any serious obstacle to penetration. In this case 

 also the pain was very transient. Though productive of 

 momentary tears, within ten minutes the incident had been quite 

 forgotten. I have been assured by other persons that no seriously 

 unpleasant effects have followed the sting of Palamnceus. 



Are these cases exceptional, or is the popular apprehension of 

 scorpion stings greatly exaggerated ? It would be interesting to 

 collectevidence on this question. Will readers of this Journal, 

 who may have had personal experience in the matter, come forward 

 with particulars of their sensations under such circumstances ? 



E. ERNEST GREEN. 



