HARMLESS SNAKES. 43 
thick, and its hapits are( nocturnal. } The following illustrates its 
ferocious nature:--I once remarked a Colubrine Snake (tyas 
mucosa), some five feet in length, in the hedge of the Circuit-house of 
Bassein. On running down-stairs, the snake had vanished, but on 
searching for it I saw its tail sticking out of a hole beneath a wooden 
plant-case. Do what I might I could not drag it out, as it seemed 
held fast within. I therefore, with some trouble, overturned the 
plant-case, and then saw that the unlucky Colubrine Snake was 
firmly pinned by a large Xenofeltis, into whose hole it had unwittingly 
entered. The Xenopeltis seemed about four feet in length; but, on 
perceiving itself uncovered, released its hold of the Péyas, and made 
its escape.” ‘The Xenopeltis preys chiefly on small mammalia, which 
it hunts for in their subterranean holes; and in some respects it 
approximates the Pythonide. 
The Uropeltide, or shield-tails, constitute a very curious family of 
Burrowing Snakes, which bear considerable resemblance to the 
Typhlopide, but have a very peculiar, short, strong, posteriorly 
shielded tail, adapted for working their way below the surface. The 
species are mostly small, and hitherto they have been found chiefly 
in Ceylon, a few only in the peninsula of India. In that island they 
are by no means scarce, but escape observation from their peculiar 
mode of life. Dr. Kelaart remarks that ‘they are timid creatures, 
seldom making their appearance above ground; living chiefly in ant- 
hills or dunghills, sometimes also several feet deep in rich loamy soil. 
They feed on ants, small earth-worms, and the larvze of insects, and at 
least one species has been ascertained to be viviparous. Five genera 
and eighteen species of them are recognised. 
The Calamaride form an extensive family of diminutive slender 
snakes, from one to two feet in length, many species of which 
inhabit both the Old World and the New, though the same kinds 
are not found East and West. ‘They keep to the ground, beneath 
stones, fallen trees, &c. ; and their food appears to consist chiefly of 
insects. ‘They are gentle, and never attempt to bite; they not un- 
commonly become the prey of the smaller Z/afide, certain of 
which bear considerable resemblance to the family, but are readily 
distinguished by possessing the poison-fangs. 
The Olfigodontide are another extensive family of small Ground- 
Snakes, which are peculiar to South-eastern Asia and its great 
archipelago, They conduct to the terrene genera of the great family 
Colubride. 
. The Colubridz are divided by Dr. Giinther into Ground Colubrines 
( Coronelline), True Colubrines(Co/ubring), Bush Colubrines(Drvadine), 
