NEN TEER SANN UAL WE POR a: 195 
attempting to grasp it a few inches behind the head, however, it 
turned and bit viciously. 
The preceding illustrations indicate the average actions of a 
large number of Florida specimens that have been examined in 
the manner named. Some specimens, however, when grasped, 
have instantly turned and bitten the operator. This tendency 
has been particularly noticeable in the larger species, Elaps coral- 
linus and E. marcgravu of tropical South America. A specimen 
of the former, 14 inches in length, was very vicious, and would 
turn and bite upon the least provocation, although it never struck 
forward save when grasping its prey. 
Regarding their danger to human life, the Coral Snakes must 
be placed in rather a different class from the long-fanged ser- 
pents that strike. A child running about bare-footed would be 
in danger of receiving a bite from a snake trodden upon; and 
woodmen also are in danger, for these snakes often hide under 
fallen logs. However, the danger from these gaudily colored 
and easily recognized reptiles, with minute fangs, is but slight as 
compared with the long, sharp fangs of a rattlesnake, which could 
easily pierce clothing of ordinary thickness. 
Feeding Habits —Like many of the Elapine Snakes, and espe- 
cially those that are addicted to burrowing habits, the Coral 
Snakes are cannibalistic, feeding almost entirely upon other 
snakes, and upon lizards. The method of feeding is similar to 
that of the King Cobra, though these smaller snakes display less 
ingenuity in overpowering their prey. It is quickly grasped and 
worked along in the jaws until the head points down the throat, 
when swallowing commences. Upon cold-blooded prey the 
poison is slow in taking effect; and, although the fangs may be 
observed to be repeatedly and vigorously employed, the subtle 
fluid appears to aid the snake but little in subduing the quarry, 
which generally struggles energetically during the entire swal- 
lowing process. 
These snakes will consume serpents of surprising dimensions 
in proportion to their own length and thickness of body. On 
several occasions the writer has observed the Harlequin Snake 
(E. fulvius) swallowing snakes that were but a few inches shorter 
than the feeding reptile, and of greater circumference of body! 
After completing a meal of such proportions, the gorged snake 
is rendered so rigid of body that it is unable to coil properly, and 
the skin is so greatly distended that the scales appear as well- 
separated rows of dots on the body. 
All of the species evince a liking for lizards, and especially the 
