CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Table of contents 339 



Prefatory note 345 



The so-called " harmless " poisonous snakes 345 



Delinition of poisonous suakes 346 



"Suspected" snakes 346 



0))isthogly])hs 347 



pjxperimeuts by Peracca and Deregibus 347 



By Dugps 348 



By Eiffe 349 



By Vaillant 349 



Niemann's investigation of the glands 349 



Quelch's experience. 350 



Is it essential for a venomous snake to possess r/rooved fangs 350 



Synopsis of the (Jpisthoglyph snakes occurring in the United States 351 



The Coral Snakes — family Elapidw 351 



Are the coral suakes poisonous 351 



Mimicry and confusion with other snakes 352 



Proteroglyphs 352 



Mr. F. W. True's account of a celebrated case of coral snake bite 353 



Other cases 354 



Bite of coral snake is dangerous 355 



Alleged snialluess of mouth erroneous 355 



Affinity of the Elaps to the Cobra 355 



Comparison between the Elaps and its harmless imitators 356 



Natural history of the Elapidfe occurring in the United States 358 



Genus Elaps 358 



Poison apparatus 358 



Synopsis of species in the United States 359 



Harlequin Snake — Elaps fulrins 359 



Synonymy 359 



Figures 360 



Description 360 



Variation 360 



Geographical distribution 361 



Habits 362 



Sonorau Coral Snake — Elaps eitri/xaii thus 362 



Synonymy 302 



Description 362 



Geographical distribution 363 



The Pit Vii)ers — family Croialidw 363 



The ' ' i)it" 364 



Organ of a sixth sense 364 



339 



