222 The Under-Water World 



the body being encased in scales of more 

 or less uniform size, suggestive of fish, 

 the eyes being situated on the top of the 

 head, and the tail being compressed to 

 form a paddle. All are highly poisonous 

 and bear living young. The colouring of 

 most species is usually of the " dazzle ' 

 pattern, the design being cunningly 

 tinted and arranged to blend with the 

 restless waves and seaweeds, thus render- 

 ing the beast more or less invisible. 

 Sea snakes are wholly pelagic, chasing 

 fish and crabs in the surface waters and 

 only swimming inshore for breeding pur- 

 poses. The female anchors, by means of 

 her pliant tail, to corals and seaweeds 

 during the mating season, but at other 

 times keeps to the open sea. 



No dissertation upon aquatic reptiles 

 is complete without some reference to 

 the giant " sea serpent/' although one 

 does so with apologies, for all accounts 

 of the beast to date are at the best 



