194 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



of burrowing habits, with rather poorly developed eyes, is quite 

 out of its element when placed upon hard and flat ground, but 

 when on ground that favors its burrrowing existence it displays 

 proper resourcefulness. 



In comparing these two genera of serpents, however, the stu- 

 dent will appreciate that these New World representatives of 

 the large Subfamily Elapinac are but degenerate allies of the 

 Cobras. Between the latter and the Genus Elaps, in the annals of 

 technical classification, come many connecting genera ; but all 

 are of the Old World. 



Manv observers allege that the Coral Snakes are (|uite mild in 

 disposition, and seldom or never attempt to bite. Such intima- 

 tions are not only fallacious, but dangerously misleading, and 

 tend to invite accidents from reptiles that are highly formidable. 

 Observed closely, these snakes will be found to evince methods 

 of defense that are unique in comparison with the other poisonous 

 snakes of the Western Hemisphere. They seldom strike forward 

 at an offending object, but twist and snap from side to side with 

 the rapidity of motion of a well-tempered steel spring upon lac- 

 ing released from a strained position. So energetic are these 

 actions at times, that specimens touched lightly with a stick, will, 

 with lightning-like agility, swing about and grasp their own bod- 

 ies. These snakes bite as do the Cobras. They gras]) the object 

 of their anger, and by a chewing motion advance the fangs so as 

 to sink them in a line of perforations usually producing al)out four 

 separate wounds with each fang. 



The truth is that occasional specimens. especiall\- of our south- 

 ern species, I-.laps fiil:'iiis, appear to be very docile if handled. 

 The writer has ex]x'rimented with such specimens, protecting his 

 hands with heavv buckskin gloves, through which the fangs could 

 not penetrate. The results were interesting, and demonstrate 

 with what degree of safety a reckless i>ersoii might handle these 

 poisonous, but apparently gentle, and ])retty creatures. 



Specimen a. arrived fmm I.akt' Kerr, j-'lorida. and with a 

 gloved hand was lifted from its box. It did not at all a])j)ear 

 to resent the familiarit}', and f^r tiw minutc-s or more was ])er- 

 mitted to glide from one hand to the other. I 'rt^rntly a restrain- 

 ing motion, resulting in a slight pressure of the lingers, caused 

 it to turn and grasp an index finger, advancing the fangs in raj^d 

 succession, and staining the glove with a flow of poison. 



Specimen h. from Hamjiton Count\-. .Sciuth Carolina, was yet 

 more docile. It was carried about U'V t\\cni\ niiiuites or more, 

 and unceremoniously handled with no iraer ot anger. l'])on 



