Biology of the new species, Lachesis insularis 
During two excursions made to Queimada Grande Island, the 
natural habitat of this snake, I had occasion to study this 
species and made an apreciable number of observations, which 
later I was able to reproduce with entire success in a snake-hut, 
purposely prepared in the park of the Butantan Institute. The 
first excursion which lasted 8 days was made in the first days - 
of April 1920; the second, which lasted 10 days, was made in 
November of the same year. 
Queimada Grande Island — This island is situated on the 
coast of the State of São Paulo about 40 miles S.W. of the bay 
of Santos, It is formed by a very steep rock and has about 1 km.? 500 
of surface and there the Marine Ministry maintains a 4th. rate 
light-house (Plates V; VI, fig. 1; VII). Surrounded on nearly 
every side by enormous rocks which offer safe shelter to sea- 
gulls (« mergulhões», «gaivotas») and other birds oí the sea, and 
unprovided with any bay or protected landing, it is entirely 
inacessible when the sea is rough. (Plates VI, fig. 22 VIE fios À 
and 2). There are 3 or 4 light-house watchmen and 1 or 2 
sailors living there who are obliged to save rain water for coo- 
king and drinking, as the island has no spring of fresh water. 
The absolute lack of resources is what most impresses the 
traveller. To make bad matters worse, the dwellers on the island 
are sometimes deprived of even the chickens which they raise 
for their nutrition for, as it is a regular «paradise of snakes » 
the unfortunate fowls are frequently decimated by the Lachesis 
insularis which are found in amazing numbers. It will be enough 
to state that, quite contrary to what might have taken place 
in another locality, I was able on my first trip to easily capture 
42 specimens of the Lachesis, and 24 on the second. The Bu- 
tantan Institute has up to date received 463 specimens of this 
snakes from that region, 203 of which were preserved and are 
incorporated in the snake collection and 32 which are at present 
bsing raised in a snake cage. 
Besides this species of snake only the Dipsas albifrons (SAUV.) 
occurs in the Island. It seems, however, to be of very rare 
occurence. It is tree-living and feeds on snails (Vaginula sp.). 
Lachesis insularis — In acordance with very minute obser- 
vations which I made and which have been confirmed by the 
intelligent light-house watchman, MR. ANTÓNIO ESPERIDIÃO DA SILVA, 
I was able to ascertain on my first excursion that;the Lachesis insula- 
ris, although provided with a pupil conformed for night life are also 
