80 OPHIDIAN EEPTILES. 



liead, which is large, is remarkable for a triangular space, the three 

 angles of which are occupied by the muzzle and the two eyes. 



This space, raised at its front edge, rejjresents the head of a 

 lance, large at its base and slightly rounded at the summit. On 

 each side of the upper jaw, one, sometimes two, and even three, 

 fangs are visible ; all of which the animal makes use of for the 

 purpose of wounding and discharging his venom. Of the poison 

 fangs of the Fer-de-lance, Professor Owen remarks, *' that the}^ 

 (in common with the Rattlesnake nnd Viper) are coated with a 

 thin layer of a sub-transparent and minutely cellular cement. 

 This disposition of the dentinal tubes is obedient to the general 

 law of verticality, and the external surface of the tooth can be 

 exposed to no other pressure than that of the turgesceut duct 

 with which it is in contact." It feeds on Lizards and the 

 smaller ]\Iammals, especially Rats, but it is cajmble of killing 

 large animals, such as Oxen. The Negroes working among 

 the sugar-cane, and soldiers in the Martinique service, often 

 become victims to the Fer-de-lauce. This Snake is, unfor- 

 tunately, very prolific, and its venom is so subtle, that animals 

 stung by it die three hours, twelve hours, one day, or several 

 after the accident ; but their death is certain. The wound pro- 

 duces extreme pain, and is immediately followed b}^ more or 

 less livid swelling; the body becomes cold and insensible, the 

 pulse and respiration become slower, the head becomes confused, 

 coma appears, and the skin turns bluish ; sometimes extreme 

 thirst and sj)itting of blood are experienced, and paralysis attacks 

 the whole system. 



Another species is known in Brazil as the " Jai'araca " {C. brasi- 

 liensis), and there is a third in the same country, the C. hilineatus ; 

 a fourth, C. elegans, is believed to be from the west coast of South 

 America ; and a fifth, C. atrox, inhabits from Demerara to Mexico- 

 All of them are most highly formidable and dangerous Snakes, 

 which are held in especial dread. 



The ten or more species of Trimeresiiriis occupy their place in 

 the woodland districts of tropical Asia and its islands. In them 

 the hinder labial shields are the smallest. The head is triangular, 

 covered above with small scales, except the foremost part of the 

 snout and the superciliary region, which generally are shielded ; 



