TREE SNAKES. 



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on Skinks exclusively, whilst the African kinds devour mice and some other small nocturnal 

 mammals. 



Some remarkable Snakes come from Madagascar, and have a long fleshy prolongation to the 

 niU77le at least one-third the length of the head. In one species this appendage is toothed, and in 

 iox it is plain. In the Langaha this growth has the shape of a blade, and is sharp at its end. 

 The colour of the Snake is bright brownish-red ; and in the Cockscomb Langaha, the muzzle ia 

 dentated, the Snake being brown and yellow. They belong to the genus Xiphorhynchus. The family 

 is represented in Australia. 



OXYBELIS FULGIDUS. 



A curious Snake of a purplish colour, densely marbled and mottled with brown, with small rose- 

 coloured spots, the cheeks and lips being carnation, has a flat head resembling that of a mastiff in 

 shape. The lips are arched and tumid. It climbs with ease, and frequents, by night, the roofs of the 

 huts of the natives of Java and Borneo, in searching for food, which consists of insects. It attains the 

 length of three feet. This Snake has a slender body, and tail, which is prehensile, but the head is 

 thick and large, and hence it is the type of the Blunt-headed family. They have a very narrow 

 mouth, and the maxillary bone is very short, and is provided with a few small teeth, and the 

 palate and lower jaw have strong teeth in front, but none are grooved. * 



* Family Amblycephalidce (Blunt-head Snakes). The species is Amblycephalus boa. 



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