HOODED SNAKES. VIPERIDJE. 571 



when excited or irritated, at which times he raises the fore part 



of his body to a considerable 

 height, so as to be ready to strike 

 his enemy with his formidable 

 fangs. The jugglers of the 

 countries where these snakes 

 are found, however, contrive to 

 draw their fangs, and then teach 

 them to assume their attitude of 

 excitement, and move their heads 

 from side to side to the sound 

 of some musical instrument. 

 Only two species of this family 

 , are known, one found in Egypt, 

 and the other in India; the latter 

 has a singular mark upon the 

 back of its neck, resembling a 



pair of spectacles ; from this character it is frequently called the 



Spectacle Snake. 



511. The Viperine Snakes, of which the characters have 

 been given already, form two families, the VIPERID^ and the 

 CROTALID^E. The latter, including the Rattle- Snakes and a 

 good many allied species, are distinguished by the presence of 

 a deep pit, lined with small plates, on each side of the nose, be- 

 neath and generally a little behind the nostril. This pit is en- 

 tirely wanting in the true Vipers. 



512. The family VIPERID^E is a numerous one, and pretty 

 widely distributed, although its members are restricted to the 

 Eastern Hemisphere. One species, and this among the smallest, 

 is an inhabitant of our own country; giving preference to 

 dry woods, sandy heaths, sunny banks, and similar places. The 

 Viper, or Adder (as it is commonly termed), is subject to great 

 differences in colour ; thus we have black, red, and blue-bellied 

 varieties, which have been described (though erroneously) as 

 distinct species. The Viper feeds upon small animals, such as 

 mice, rats, birds, &c., which are very speedily killed by its bite ; 

 it never attacks Man, unless provoked to do so ; and although 



