238 THE VIVARIUM. 
and the former has seven upper labials and two post- ocular shields, 
while the latter possesses generally eight (hardly ever seven) 
upper labials and three post-oculars. The colour of the 7. viper- 
inus above is brownish-grey, or reddish, marked down the back 
with a dark brown or black zigzag stripe; along the sides there is 
a series of black or dark-brown spots, each having a yellowish or 
greenish centre. Thereis generally a V-like dark marking on the 
back of the head and neck, which tends to increase the animal’s 
likeness to the viper. J’. viperinus sometimes reaches a length 
of 3ft.; it is therefore a much larger reptile than that for 
which it is frequently mistaken. It should be fed and treated 
exactly as has been suggested for the Dice Snake. These two 
Snakes and the Ringed Snake (7. natrex) live very well together 
in the same Vivarium, All these Snakes, when young, will feed 
upon earthworms. 
Mr. Boulenger describes a variety of 7. viperinus—N. ocellata, 
Wagl., C. aurolineatus Gerv.,—-having ‘“‘ two yellow or reddish 
longitudinal dorsal lines in addition to the usual markings.” 
The Seven-Banded* Snake (Tropidonotus septemvittatus) is an 
exceedingly hardy reptile, and very well fitted for confinement, 
where it will live, under good treatment, for a considerable time. 
It is a handsome ‘Snake, and easily tamed. Its head is small 
and hardly distinct from the neck, its eye is also small, and 
possesses two prze-ocular shields and two post-ocular ones. This.. 
Snake has the same number of labials as 7. natriz, and its scales 
are also arranged in nineteen rows; but the ventrals of the former 
animal number from 140 to 151, and the sub-caudals are placed 
in from sixty-four to eighty-six pairs. 
T. septemvittatus is dusky olive-brown above, with a lateral 
yellow band, and, generally, three dark dorsal lines ; the belly of 
the creature is yellowish, with four dusky or brown stripes; the 
middle stripes, however, are sometimes broken up into spots. 
The Seven-Banded Snake is a native of North America, éast 
of the Mississippi. It is also found in Texas. This reptile 
has frequently been bred in captivity, where the young have 
been produced alive, and reared on tiny frogs. It reaches a 
length of more than 2ft., of which the tail measures 6in. It 
may be sometimes bought in England for 10s., but it is generally 
