WATER SNAKES. 



309 



hue, so as hardly to be distinguishable from the foliage among 

 which they seek their prey, or where they themselves are liable 

 to be seized upon by their enemies. They are often able 

 vertically to ascend the smoothest trunks and branches, in 

 search of squirrels and lizards, or to rifle the nests of birds. 



The Water-snakes which infest some parts of the tropical 

 seas, though far from equalling in size the vast proportions of 

 the fabulous sea-serpent, are very formidable from their veno- 

 mous bite. They have the back part of the body and tail very 

 much compressed and raised vertically, so as to serve them as 

 a paddle with which they rapidly cleave the waters. 



