256 



VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 



tactile organ; for it is thrust out with a flickering motion against any 

 object that requires investigation. 



The internal organs are greatly elongated, having the relations that 

 those of a lizard would have if it were stretched out to more than twice 

 the normal length. The copulatory organ is usually covered with re- 



FIG. 141. Group of Ophidia. A, African Python (Python seba) swallowing a 

 bird; B, Cobra, Naja tripudians; C, Crolalis durissus (Rattlesnake); D, Banded 

 Sea-Snake, Platurus laticaudatus. (Redrawn after Lydekker.) 



curved hooks and spines, which ensures prolonged copulation in spite 

 of writhing of the two bodies. Though the majority of snakes lay eggs, 

 many of them, including the common garter snakes, are viviparous. 

 Accordirg to Gadow, "Snakes are intelligent creatures; some be- 

 come quite affectionate in captivity, but most of them are of a morose 

 disposition, and they do not care for company." So far as the average 

 man is concerned this feeling is mutual; for the first human reflex is 

 to kill a snake on sight. Whether this is the result of tradition or is a 



