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174. JOURNAL, NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY OF SIAM Vol. I. 
31. Psammodynastes pulverulentus. The Mock Viper. 
I have seen two specimens of this-little snake, both from Dusit 
Park. It is fairly common in some parts of the country. One which I 
kept alive for some time was shy and very active, but made no attempt 
to bite when handled. It fed upon frogs. 
Distribution. From the Eastern Himalayas and Southern China 
to the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago. 
32. Dryophis mycterizans. The Common Green Whip 
Snake. 
Common in Bangkok. This snake is entirely arboreal in its 
habits, living among the bushes and hedges about the gardens and 
plantations. I have hardly ever seen one on the ground, nor do I 
think they ascend trees to any great height. It is of a gentle and placid 
disposition. Individuals that have only just been caught show hardly 
any fear of one, and will, after a few hours, allow themselves to be 
handled quietly and without protest. As an instance of the placid 
nature of this snake, a half grown specimen was once found in 
my garden and brought in at tiffin time. It was placed among the 
flowers on the table, and remained there calmly throughout the entire 
meal, watching me, but making no effort to get away. Old ones are 
sometimes bad tempered, and cannot always be trusted. Unlike most 
snakes, that bite at your hands, they have a nasty habit of watch- 
ing your face, and especially your eyes, and then suddenly making a 
dart at you. Fortunately the teeth in the front of the jaws are ex- 
tremely small, and they are unable to inflict any damage. It is the 
only snake I know of that the Siamese are not afraid to handle, and 
boys may be sometimes seen carrying one along, fastened with a noose 
of thread or string. 
The Green Whip Snake appears to take more interest in its 
surroundings than most snakes. Captive specimens may be frequently 
seen to observe one, following with both head and eyes whatever is 
taking place before them. The rest of the body is kept absolutely 
still, They hardly ever move about their cage, and will remain ex-. 
tended upon a branch in almost the same position for days together. — 
I should imagine that these snakes in a wild state seldom go in search of 
their food, but rather wait for their prey to come to them. For this 
purpose their protective coloring, harmonizing so perfectly with the 
