108 OPHIDIANS. 
Curers ; and it is an undoubted fact, that on the Great Plains 
of Casanare and Saint Martin, so many species and varieties 
do exist that it is probable that the preceding tabular list 
embraces only about one-third of the existing number. Such 
individuals as have been seen on the Great Plains seem to 
possess every possible variegation of marks, macule, and 
colors in the skin; and it is easy to trace every step in a pro- 
gressive development through individuals which have no 
traces of limbs up to the Torcoral, which bears strongly 
marked characteristics of the Ophidian on the one side, and 
of the Guataca (the lowest species in the Saurian family) 
on the other, thus affording an argument in support of the 
Darwinian theory of progression of species. 
Toxical effects of the Elaps Corrall. poison are less violent 
than those of the Crotalus or E. Cuprocephalus, but are none 
the less worthy of study, as its action is very marked on par- 
ticular organs and viscera. The respiratory organs, those of 
deglutition and the brain, are first affected. Sudden and 
excruciating pains present themselves in a particular organ or 
viscera, or muscles, are felt for a short time, and as suddenly 
cease, to reappear in some other organ or part. <A flow of 
venous blood,* in coagula, presents itself from the mouth, 
eyes, ears, urethra, and from the wound or bite; pains in the 
abdomen ensue; there is extreme sensibility to the touch in 
the whole body ; an almost total extinction of the pulse; colic, 
diarrheea ; tremors in the muscles; excessive thirst and subse- 
quent cedema in the bitten part, succeeded by vomiting and 
fainting fits. Death does not always ensue, and this poison 
is undoubtedly less virulent than that of Crotalus. 
* The mixture of poison with the blood causes the latter to change its 
color to a very dark purple-red, in all cases of poisoning by that of the 
Crotalus type. 
