CROTALID^. — LXXVI. 183 



short muzzle; no loral plate. Genera 15; species about 

 50, chiell)^ East Indian, a few inhabiting the warmer 

 parts of America. 



* Aual plate entire ; urosteges two rowed ; scales in 15 rows. 



Elaps, 1. 



/. ELAPS, Schneider. Harlequin Snakes, 



1. E. fulvius, (L.) Cuv. Bead Snake. Jet black, 

 with about 17 broad crimson rings, each bordered with 

 yellow, and spotted below with black; a yellow occipital 

 band; tail with yellow rings; L. 30; G. 200 to 215; U. 

 32. Va. to Ark. and S. A beautiful snake, mild in dis- 

 position and apparently harmless, although provided with 

 venom-fangs. Resembles Osceola and Ophibolus. 



FAMILY LXXVI. — GROT ALIDiE. 



{The Crotalid Snakes.) 

 Upper jaw destitute of solid teeth, but provided 

 with an erectile, grooved poison-fang on each side in 

 front; a deep pit between eye and nostril. Tail often 

 provided with a rattle, composed of horny rings of modi- 

 fied epidermis. Urosteges generally undivided, at least 

 anteriorly. Scales carinated in all our species. Species 

 50, more or less, all American, and renowned for the 

 deadliness of their venom. 



* Tail with a rattle. 



f Top of head covered with small, scale-like plates, larger ones 

 in front; size large; rattle large. , Crotalus, 1. 



ff Top of head with 9 large plates; size small; rattle small. 



Caudisona, 2. 

 ** Tail without a rattle ; general color chestnut, variegated. 



Ancistrodon, 8. 



/. CROTALUS, Linnaeus. Rattlesnakes. 

 1. C. horrid us, L. Banded or Northern Rattle- 

 snake. Sulphur brown of various shades, with two rows 



