An. das Mem. do Instituto de Butantan — Vol. 1 - fase. 1 (Ofiologia) 87 
capim »; and, sometimes, Platycichla flavipes (VIEILL.), known as 
the « Sabiá-una ». 
These interesting facts are reproduced in the various pho- 
tographs consisting of Plates IX, DE XI er Setur ENS XVI amd 
XVII which: correspond to some of the many snapshots taken 
by the photographers who accompanied me, Mr. J. DOMINGUES DOS 
SANTOS on the Ist. excursion, and Mr. C. R. FISCHER 0n the 2nd. 
Besides these, I was able to follow up many interesting 
facts on Queimada Grande Island, the most important of which 
concern the influence exercised by the wind towards the appearance 
of snakes, When, for exemple, a strong N.W. wind blows, flocks 
of birds fly from the coast to the Island and it is not long 
before the Lachesis will be seen on the S.E. side, exactly where 
the fugitive birds generally look for shelter. Again, when am 
implacable S.W. storm springs up bringing disquiet to the hearts 
of the inhabitants of the island, one is sure to find the snakes 
on the N.E. sides where the birds are driven. 
With the live examples which I transported I was able to 
continue my observations at the Institute, having found that, 
contrary to what takes place with other Lachesis, they pay no 
attention to the presence of people, feed with facility (Plates XIV, 
fics: W and 2; XV, fig. 1), and even copulate in captivity, if 
the surrounding; conditions are more or less like those to which 
are accustomed on the Island. 
Rutting time generally begins in August and lasts till tho 
middle of September. 
The act of copulating which is very delayed generally takes 
place on trees or sometimes on the ground, 
Their young, 9 to 16 in number, are born in the second 
half of January and immediately seek a hiding place under dry 
leaves or under moss found on the ground. 
In conclusion to these notes on biology, I believe it will 
be convenient to transcribe here, in a rapid synopsis, some of 
the principal data from, a monograph which I am already outlining, 
concerning the properties of the Lachesis insularis poison. 
The poison has approximately the same reaction and colour 
as that of Lachesis jararaca (WiED) and of L. atrox (L.). However, 
it is different in its heamolytic, proteolytic and coagulant properties, 
and above all, by the toxic activity, which is far stronger. 
Thus, for example, in tests with the pigeon, which is the 
most apropriate species of animals for such, due to its sensitiveness 
and the uniform results, obtained, the minim lethal dose of Lachesis 
insularis poison is by intra-venous channels — O gr. 000004, against 
