REMARKS ON SOME FLORIDA SNAKES. 1 29 



The small chance of seeing a poisonous snake, much less being 

 bitten by one, is, perhaps, well illustrated by the fact that such 

 hunters as Quartermain and Davis care nothing for snakes, although 

 they have hunted for many years in Florida, often with bare feet, in 

 the most " snaky localities." 



It should be remembered that there are several species of so-called 

 water snakes, which are often seen on the banks of streams and 

 ponds, none of which are poisonous. They are blackish and dark 

 brown generally, with indications of marking on the back. 



These harmless varieties are the kinds which are usuall} pointed 

 out by the natives as the dreaded Water Moccasin. 



ELAPS FULVIUS (Z/////.). 

 Harlequin Snake. 



This pretty little species is conspicuous on account of its transverse 

 bands of yellow, red, and black. It is a small snake, and for many 

 years was considered harmless. It is poisonous, however, and has 

 two very small perforated fangs ; but, unlike other venomous snakes, 

 it has both fangs and teeth on the upper jaw. 



There are several cases on record where persons have died from 

 the effects of a bite from this snake, and there are also numerous 

 instances where people have been bitten and suffered no ill effects 

 whatever. Still, we know that in some cases the bite of the Harle- 

 quin Snake /las proved serious : so it is just as well not to treat the 

 little fellow in too familiar a manner. 



There are three species in Florida which resemble each other so 

 much that any one but a specialist would probably consider them to 

 be identical. They are very different, however, belonging to differ- 

 ent genera ; although their general color and appearance is somewhat 

 similar, the colors are differently arranged. The present one, which 

 is the only venomous one of the group, has a roundish head, with 

 the eyes on top, while the others have the eye on the side of the head. 

 One of them has a ver}^ pointed head. 



The non-venomous ones are as follows. They have teeth on both 

 jaws, but no fangs. 



