THE PRINCIPAL SPECIES OF POISONOUS SNAKES 113 
sharply keeled; 150—240 ventrals; 46—70 subcaudals, all or the 
greater part in two rows. 
Coloration very variable, grey, brown, yellow, olive, or reddish: 
uniform or with more or less distinct dark spots, or cross-bands, 
or with dark triangles on the sides enclosing pale rhombs; a dark 
streak from the eye to the angle of the mouth; belly yellowish, 
uniform, or spotted with brown. 
Total length, 1,600 millimetres; tail 190. 
Habitat : Tropical America; Mexico, Martinique, St. Lucia, 
Bequia Island near St. Vincent, Venezuela, Guianas, Rio de Janeiro. 
This snake does not exist in Guadeloupe. ‘In the islands in 
which it is found,” says Dr. Rufz de Lavison, “its presence makes 
itself felt even where man has built his dwelling and cultivates 
the soil. Because of it no one can carelessly lie down to rest in 
the shade of a tree; no one can walk in the woods or enter un- 
concernedly into the pleasures of the chase.” It is especially 
abundant in coffee and sugar plantations, and is met with from the 
sea-level up to the summits of the highest mountains in Martinique 
and St. Lucia. It not infrequently makes its way into human 
habitations, and is not uncommon in gardens, even entering those 
of the town of Fort-de-France. 
It does not seek its prey by day, but remains on the alert, 
always ready to bite. With open mouth, and fangs projecting for- 
wards, it strikes with the rapidity of lightning. It swims in the 
rivers and moves over the ground with great speed. Oviposition 
takes place in July, and the young are hatched forthwith, the 
usual number being from about 50—60. 
It feeds upon lizards and rats, but also destroys a certain number 
of fowls and turkeys. All the large animals are afraid of it. Its 
bite is extremely dangerous, and causes about a hundred deaths 
in Martinique every year. 
In striking at its prey or at a man, the Fer-de-lance throws 
back its head and opens its jaws widely, with the fangs directed 
forwards. It drives in its poison-teeth as with the blow of a 
8 
