DEATH ADDER. 217 



semblance to a sting, it is considered by popular 

 rumour to inflict a deadly sting with it. 



This hideous reptile is thick in proportion to 

 its length ; the eye is vivid yellow, with a black 

 longitudinal pupil ; the colour of the body is dif- 

 ficult to be described, being a complication of 

 dull colours, with narrow, blackish 'bands, shaded 

 off into the colours which compose the back ; 

 abdomen slightly tinged with red ; head broad, 

 thick, and flattened. The specimen I examined 

 measured two feet two inches in length, and 

 five inches in circumference. It is, I believe, an 

 undescribed species.* A dog that was bitten by 

 one, died in less than an hour. The specimen I 

 examined was found coiled up near the banks of 

 the Murrumbidgee river ; and being of a torpid 

 disposition, did not move when approached, but 

 quietly reposed in the pathway, with its head 

 turned beneath the belly. 



The "diamond snake" is handsome, attains a 

 large size, and I believe is not considered ve- 

 nomous. It is said, that when cattle are bitten 

 by a venomous snake, they resort immediately 

 to the water. A cow was found lying dead near 

 the river, at " Gudarigby," during the time I 



* There is a fine stuffed specimen of this reptile deposited 

 in the Colonial Museum, in which the colours are well re- 

 tained. 



