212 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
glides over the stubble, the head and anterior part of its body 
being sometimes several feet off the ground. When a bush fire 
is raging Mambas may be seen escaping in this way at a swift 
pace. Viewed at a distance they seem to be gliding over the 
tops of the long grass and low shrubs. Cases are on record of 
men being bitten as high up as the thigh, when mounted on 
horseback. 
DISTRIBUTION. 
The Mamba (Dendraspis angusticeps) is very abundant 
throughout the wooded districts of Natal, Zululand, Eastern 
Transvaal, British Bechuanaland, Rhodesia, and north to Central 
Africa. 
Another species of Mamba has recently been discovered in 
the Transvaal by Dr. Gough. It is named Dendraspis Mamba. 
This makes two species found in South Africa. 
