314 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



offending object, advancing the fangs in a series of 

 chewing motions and producing four or five separate 

 wounds with each. The truth is that occasional speci- 

 mens appear to be quite gentle, if handled. The writer 

 has experimented with such examples, protecting his 

 hands with heavy buckskin gloves. The results were 

 interesting, as they showed with what degree of safety 

 a reckless person might handle these apparently quiet 

 and pretty, though poisonous reptiles. 



An example may be handled for some time without a 

 show of temper on the serpent's part — providing the 

 operator employs no resisting motions. A slight pres- 

 sure of the fingers may cause the snake to turn without 

 warning, seize a finger and chew viciously, staining the 

 glove with venom. The larger, tropical species are much 

 more "touchy" than the common species of the United 

 States. Yet they never "strike" unless pursuing their 

 prey. A child running about bare-footed would cer- 

 tainly be bitten if treading upon a snake of this kind, 

 but we may remove the Coral Snakes from the more 

 dangerous class — those serpents that strike at a passing 

 object. The writer has never observed a specimen of 

 Elaps to bite unless actually touched on the body. 

 Especially nervous specimens will thrash from side to 

 side, but do not attempt to seize an object nearby, even 

 though it should be in motion. Their fangs are so short 

 that ordinary clothing would insure good protection — a 

 pair of canvas leggings over thin clothing producing 

 perfect immunity from the largest specimens. 



The breeding habits of the Coral Snakes seem to be 

 comparatively unknown. Until two years before the 

 time of writing, the author's efforts to note^ definite 

 results were unavailing. A specimen of Elaps fulvius 

 finally deposited eleven eggs, which were placed in 



