528 



THE BUSH MASTER. 



Even birds seem to have a slight dread of this fearful 

 serpent, and may be seen hovering about the spot where it 











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lies coiled up, uttering cries and screams, produced by fear 



and anger. 



THE BUSHMASTER. 



Almost as much dreaded as the jararaca is the enormous 

 cuanacouchi (Lachesis mutus), or bushmaster, as it is called 

 in Demerara. Its proper name is the curucucu. It some- 

 times reaches to a length of fourteen feet, being the largest 

 known poisonous snake. It is equally remarkable for the 



