194 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
of burrowing habits, with rather poorly developed eyes, is quite 
out of its element when placed upon hard and flat ground, but 
when on ground that favors its burrrowing existence it displays 
proper resourcefulness. 
In comparing these two genera of serpents, however, the stu- 
dent will appreciate that these New World representatives of 
the large Subfamily Elapinae are but degenerate allies of the 
Cobras. Between the latter and the Genus Elaps, in the annals of 
technical classification, come many connecting genera; but all 
are of the Old World. 
Many observers allege that the Coral Snakes are quite mild in 
disposition, and seldom or never attempt to bite. Such intima- 
tions are not only fallacious, but dangerously misleading, and 
tend to invite accidents from reptiles that are highly formidable. 
Observed closely, these snakes will be found to evince methods 
of defense that are unique in comparison with the other poisonous 
snakes of the Western Hemisphere. They seldom strike forward 
at an offending object, but twist and snap from side to side with 
the rapidity of motion of a well-tempered steel spring upon be- 
ing released from a strained position. So energetic are these 
actions at times, that specimens touched lightly with a stick, will, 
with lightning-like agilitv, swing about and grasp their own bod- 
ies. These snakes bite as do the Cobras. They grasp the object 
of their anger, and by a chewing motion advance the fangs so as 
to sink them in a line of perforations usually producing about four 
separate wounds with each fang. 
The truth is that occasional specimens, especially of our south- 
ern species, Elaps fulvius, appear to be very docile if handled. 
The writer has experimented with such specimens, protecting his 
hands with heavy buckskin gloves, through which the fangs could 
not penetrate. The results were interesting, and demonstrate 
with what degree of safety a reckless person might handle these 
poisonous, but apparently gentle, and pretty creatures. 
Specimen a, arrived from Lake Kerr, Florida, and with a 
gloved hand was lifted from its box. It did not at all appear 
to resent the familiarity, and for five minutes or more was per- 
mitted to glide from one hand to the other. Presently a restrain- 
ing motion, resulting in a slight pressure of the fingers, caused 
it to turn and grasp an index finger, advancing the fangs in rapid 
succession, and staining the glove with a flow of poison. 
Specimen b, from Hampton County, South Carolina, was yet 
more docile. It was carried about for twenty minutes or more, 
and unceremoniously handled with no trace of anger. Upon 
