SNAKES. 269 
The Variegated Bush-Snake should be provided with artificial 
heat during the whole time of its captivity in this country, and a 
_ bushy tree in which it may hide and climb. Its food ought to 
consist of frogs and lizards. The frogs supplied to these slender 
Snakes must not be more than half-grown. Some of the Tree- 
and Bush-Snakes will eat hairless mice. 
The Banded-tail Tree-Snake (Leptophis liocercus, Bouleng., or 
Ahetulla liocercus, Ginth.) It is a most beautiful and elegant 
creature. For so slender an animal it has an enormous gape of 
mouth. This Snake and the other members of the same genus 
are natives of Central and South America. JZ. Jliocercus, in 
captivity, should be provided with artificial heat, and fed upon 
rather small frogs. It has an elongated head, a large eye, with a 
round pupil, no loreal, one prz-ocular, and two post-oculars ; the 
posterior frontals in contact with the upper labials, which number 
eight or nine, and five or six lower labials; its scales, which are 
strongly keeled, with the exception of the outer rows and those 
on the neck and tail, are arranged in fifteen rows. Its angulated 
ventrals number from 151 to 167, its sub-caudals are in from 140 
to 173 pairs, and the anal scute is divided. The following 
description of its colouring is given by Mr. Boulenger: ‘‘ Bronzy 
or golden above, head, neck, and usually vertebral region bright 
green ; or a bright green above and on the sides ; the keels on the | 
scales dark brown or black; a black streak on each side of the 
head, passing through the eye; scales and head-shields some- 
times black-edged, upper lip and lower parts white or yellow.” 
This Snake, which is occasionally called the ‘‘ Parrot Snake,”’ 
sometimes grows to a length of 5ft., of which the tail measures 
nearly one third. 
Merrem’s Snake (Liophis pecilogyrus, Boulenger ; or Lwphis 
merremii, Dum. and Bibr.) is a very nice little Reptile indeed, 
and hardy. It is easily tamed. Its food should consist of frogs. 
Merrem’s Snake has a most extended range, being found nearly 
all over South America. It needs no artificial heat while in captivity , 
in this country, except during the colder months, if it be not 
allowed to hibernate. It might be naturalised in England. J. 
merremii has a nearly square loreal, one prze-ocular, two post-oculars, 
eight upper labials, and four or five lower ones. Its smooth, 
