a 
CORAL SNAKE. 67 
But, according to Dr. Mure,* the variety existing in Brazil 
has the teeth alternated with small bifurcated valves, which 
cover the mouth of the secretory glands of the poison. It is 
to be hoped that some Brazilian naturalist will examine 
minutely several individuals of the species, to determine this 
point with precision, for its existence would furnish a charac- 
teristic which would place the variety found in the United 
States of Colombia and Northern South America under another 
name. Possibly, Dr. Mure mistook the salivary-glands and 
duct for the secretory apparatus of the poison. The lower 
jaw is provided with two series of teeth, lower maxillary and 
lingual, which are furnished with short, fine, closely set teeth, 
all considerably curved backwards, the upper ones being the 
usual series of marginal maxillary and palatine teeth. 
This species has no habits which lead it to choose one re- 
gion or locality in preference to another, except that it does 
not frequent low, swampy places. Individuals are found in 
the walls of houses; under loose boards; in cribs of corn; 
in the thatch of the roof; under the pillows and clothes of 
the bed ; in any kitchen utensil, and everywhere in the forest. 
The male is often seen copulating with the Viba. Aznfrada, 
and many other varieties; but the female is never found 
copulating with any but the male of her own species! This 
is a singular fact, and shows how nature preserves the kind 
by endowing the female with this instinctive preference. 
Varieties of this species found in South Africa are, viz. : 
No. 1. N. Elaps Sunderwallii. 1 sub-variety. 
eth, " hygeee. 1 4 
oe, Gs dorsalis. 1 « 
oe 66 aspidelaps rubricus. 1 fe 
* Pathogenesie Brésillienne. 
