SERPENTS. 



381 



It should be bovno in raiiul that there are jjerfectly harmless snakes that have the 

 o-eneral coloration of the Elapides, though belonging to the previous sub-order. By 

 those unfamiliar with their nature these harmless forms are also called harlequins. 



Allied to the harlequin-snakes is the genus Bximjarus, the several species of which 

 inhabit India. The generic title is a so-called Latin form of the vernacular name, 

 liungarum. The representatives are terrestrial forms, li\ing chiefly on small mammals 

 and'^reptiles, for which they are continually searching during the day, though they 

 avoid the direct rays of the sun. They are shy, and invariably seek a retreat on being 

 surprised, though they are active on being attacked, defending themselves with great 



Fig, 221. — Bungarus fascianis, bunga: 



vigor. Their bite is extremely dangerous, though the degi-ee of its virulence depends 

 on the age of the reptile, as well as on the size and position of the wound. As the 

 fangs are short, the abrasion can generally be excised or cauterized, which should 

 always be done immediately, though the dangerous symptoms are not likely to show 

 themselves until the lapse of consider.able time. The largest Bungarus reaches a 

 length of four feet, and inhabits Java, the Malay Peninsula, Penang, and portions of 

 China. It is known in science as B. fascuitns, and much resembles B. ceylonicus, 

 which is abundantly found in the island from which it receives its specific name. 

 From the stomach of this Ceylon species, sjiecimens of Ui-opeltis have been taken. 

 Hoplocephalus includes nearly twice as many species as any other Australian genus. 



