THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
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Genus ATRACTASPIS. 
Two Species in South Africa. 
IIB NG- IO) Walle Sie aCINS Sy 
Ventrals 221-260 .. ee 5 sie .. Atvactaspis bibronit. 
Ventrais 199 ne ae Atvactaspis duerdent. 
I, ATRACTASPIS BIBRONII. Oviparous Adder. Ei-leggend Adder. (Eier- 
leggend slang.) 
Synonyms—Atractaspis inornatus ; Atvactaspis ivregularis. 
Colour—Dark purplish-brown above, yellowish or pale brown beneath. 
Average length—2 feet. 
Distribution—Cape Colony; Orange River Colony; Griqualand ; 
Natal; Zululand; Transvaal; German South-West. Africa ; 
Angola; Delagoa Bay; Portuguese East Africa. 
2. ATRACTASPIS DUERDENI. Duerden’s Adder. 
Colour—Cream coloured above, lighter below. 
Average length—trz foot 6 inches. 
Distribution—North-East Kalahari. 
THE PuFFr ADDER. 
(Bitis arietans.) 
ZuLvU: tbhululu. 
The Puff Adder is South Africa’s typical viper, being one of 
the commonest and most widespread snakes in the sub-continent. 
It is exceedingly venomous and dangerous to man, owing to its 
habit of haunting the vicinity of dwellings, enticed thither in 
search of rats, mice, and chickens. It is quite a common occur- 
rence to find Puff Adders actually crawling about the rooms. 
One day a lady at Walmer, a suburb of Port Elizabeth, went 
to her kitchen-dresser for a dish, and there amongst the plates 
was a large live Puff Adder. Aided by her daughter, she captured 
it alive, and brought it in triumph to me. 
Once I was staying with a friend for a few days one winter in 
Natal. He and his wife proposed a walk. She retired to put 
on her bonnet, when presently she rushed forth and fell into her 
husband’s arms in a fainting condition. It seems a venturesome 
Puff Adder had gained access to the house, found the wardrobe 
door ajar and no lid on the bonnet box, and forthwith settled 
himself to hibernate for the winter in the bonnet, evidently 
congratulating himself on finding so cosy a place. 
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