Tin: n:i;-r>B'LAitcs. 

 'I'll.- t.-eth <>r the venomous Serpent > will be described in connection with one of the 



The Serpents, in common with other ivptii,-.. lia\> their I todies covered by a delicate 

 epidermis, populail\ called the skin, which lies over the scale-. and is renewed at t..].-i.,i.|\ 

 regular intervals. Towards the time of changing its skin, tin- Snake becomes dull and 

 sluggish, the ryes look white and dliiul, owing to the thickening of tin- epidermis that coven 

 them, and tin- bright colors become dim and ill-defined. I'lv^-ntly. however, the skin split* 

 ii|Min the back, mostly nir the heatl, and the Snake contrives to wriggle itaelf out <>f the old 

 internment. usually turning it inside out in tin- process. This shed skin is transparent. 

 ha \im: tin- shajN- of ach scale impressed ;I]NUI it, la-ing fine and delicate as goldbeater* B-okin. 

 and bfiti_- applicable to many of the same uses, such as shielding a small wound from the 

 ttterii I aii fa two TO] :':, ipeciinens of ca.si <kins, formerly balooglagto ft Tipvaadboi 

 constrictor, now lying before me, the structure of each si-ale is so well shown, that the 

 characteristics of the two reptiles can be distinguished as readily us if the cr-at'ii 

 present fiiitn whose bodies they were shed. Kven the transparent si-ale that covers the eyes is 

 drawn .>IT entire, and the large elongated hexagonal scales that an- arranged aloni: the 

 abdniH.-n. and aid the animal in its progress, are exhibited so boldly thai they will resist the 

 in. iw-m.-nt of a linger drawn over them from tail to head. 



Tin: first sub-order of Snakes consists of those Serjx*nts which are classed under the name 

 of YM-I.KIVA. All these reptiles are devoid of teeth in the upper jaw except two long, 

 poison-bearing fangs, set one at each side, and near the muzzle. The lower jaw is well 

 furnished with teeth, and both jaws are feeble. The wales of the aMoinen are bold, broad, 

 and arranged like overlapping bands. The head is large in proportion to the neck, and \<-\\ 

 wide behind, so that the head of these Snakes hus been well compared to an ace of spades. 

 The hinder limbs are not seen. 



In the first family of the Viperine Snakes, called the CKOTAI.ID.E, the face is marked with 

 a large pit or depression on each side, l>etwe-n the eye and the nostril. The celebrated and 

 dread'-d Fi i: "i L\\< i U-lonp< to this family. 



This terrible reptile is a native of Brazil, and in some parts is very common, owing to its 

 exceeding fecundity and its habit of constant concealment. It has an e-.|.rial liking for the 

 sugar plantations, and a field of canes is seldom cut without the discovery of se\t-nty or 

 eighty of these venomous creatures. Martinique and St. Lucia are terribly haunted by this 

 Snake, which is held in great dread by the natives and settlers. In general, the Serpents, 

 even those of a poisonous character, avoid the presence of man, but the Fer-de-Lance 

 frequently takes the initiative, and leaping from its concealment, fastens upon the passenger 

 whose presence has disturbed its irritable temper, and inflicts a wound that is almost invari- 

 ably fatal within a few hours. 



Even in those cases where the sufferer recovers for the timo. the system is terribly injured, 

 and the latent virulence of the ]>ison can hardly be eliminated from the frame, even at the 

 cost of painful boils and uh-er.it ions which hist for many years. The nervous system is also 

 much affected, as giddiness and paralysis are among the usual con-vipienoes of the strong 

 \eiiom which this reptile extracts, by some inexplicable chemistry, from jerfectly harmless 

 food. Convulsions, severe pain at the heart, together with distressing nausea, are among the 

 many symptoms produced by this poison. 



To escape this creature in its chosen haunts is a matter of very great difficulty, as it is 

 either concealed under dead leaves, among the heavy foliage of parasitic plants, or coiled up 

 in the nest of some poor bird whose eggs or young it has devoured, and from this spot of 

 vantage makes its stroke, swift and straight as a fencer's thrust, and without the least warning 

 by hiss or rattle to indicate its purpose. 



All animals dread the Fer-de- Lance ; the horse pi-m.-es and snorts in terror on approach* 

 ing its hiding-place, his whole frame trembles with fear, and he cannot be induced by spur or 

 whip to pass within striking distance of this formidable reptile. Birds of all kinds have a 

 horror of its presence, and will pursue it from pl.-n e to plac, . or hover near the spot on which 



