CHAPTER Vi. 
SuB-FAMILY I1V.—HYDROPHIN2. 
Division II].—PROTEROGLYPHA. 
THE Sea Serpents belong to the division of snakes known as the 
Proteroglypha, so called because they have fangs in the front 
part of the upper jaw. These fangs, which are set in the anterior 
maxillary bone, are deeply channelled or grooved, the sides of 
the channels showing a tendency to unite and form a complete 
perforated or hollow tooth similar to the hollow fangs of the 
Viper family. These are the typical poison fangs. Independent 
Fic. 65.—Head and neck of the poisonous Black and Yellow Sea 
Snake of the African Coast (Hydrus platurus). 
of the fangs there is a set of small solid teeth, also set in the front 
part of the upper jaw. 
The sub-family Hydrophine are all Sea Snakes. There are 
about fifty-five species or kinds known. 
All are highly venomous, except one single species (Distiva 
