404 Mr. J. J. Quelch on the 



severe pain by means of the enlarged posterior maxillary 

 teeth, whether grooved or not. 



To those who have an exact knowledge of snake-structure 

 the matter is simple enough, but to the ordinary mind every 

 dark snake is likely to be a labarria ; and whether the nature 

 of the fangs be rightly determined or not, the deadliness of 

 the serpent would be regarded as evident even before inflam- 

 mation and severe pain began. 



In the case of the other common pit- viper, the rattlesnake, 

 there is no such doubtfulness of identification, the rattle 

 affording a certain means ; and it is noteworthy that while 

 one seldom or never hears here of a case of recovery from the 

 bite of a rattlesnake unless some such certain method of 

 treatment as amputation of the part has been resorted to, the 

 reputed cases of recovery from the bite of the labarria are 

 as common as the remedies employed are inefficacious for the 

 purpose. 



The species of rattlesnake (Grotahis terrijicus) which is 

 found in the Colony is commonly distributed over tropical and 

 subtropical America, ranging from Texas and New Mexico 

 to Northern Argentine. Specimens vary somewhat in tint 

 and markings, at times being very dull-coloured and at others 

 quite bright and striking. The brown ground-colour is 

 usually marked on the neck by two black lines which pass 

 into a series of dark rhombs with lighter centres along the 

 back, the whole being outlined by a series of yellow or paler 

 scales ; and the scales are tuberculate and give a very rough 

 aspect to the skin. Owing to the peculiar markings the skins 

 are in great request for pouches, purses, belts, and other such 

 objects — neckties even being at times prepared from them. 



A peculiar feature in these and the other American vipers 

 is the pit situated on each side of the face below and between 

 the nostril and the eye, and which has secured for them the 

 distinctive title of " pit-vipers," though its function is by no 

 means evident. 



The most characteristic feature of the species is, of course, 

 the rattle, which, as is well known, is made up of a number 

 of separable three-lobed pieces, closely packed together and 

 interlocked by the incurving of the first lobe of each piece 

 over the second lobe of the preceding, which allows the free 

 movement of each, with the resulting shrill sound. Detailed 

 reference to the structure and development of the peculiarities 

 of this appendage is, however, unnecessary here, since in 

 vol. v. new series, 1891, of ' Timehri ' the matter has been 

 already dealt with ; but it may be as well to point out that 

 the popular idea that a new ring is added each year, and 



