406 



VERTEBRATA. 



Oetius II()KTrLIA: JIurtulia. — Of this is the Natal Rock-Snake, //. A^a^a^ensis, which 

 lit tains an eiiorinous Hizo. 



'I'ho (ItiNKA Rock-Snakk, J/. Srlxc, n'soiii])les the precodiiii; ; it is found in Western Africa, 

 and is the Ftli.ih Sir/>eni worsliiped by the natives of Guinea. Tlic Royal Rock-Snake, H. 

 rri/ia, is an inhabitant of ( Jaml>ia anil the contiguous country. 



Gams Kl'l( 'liATICS : Epicrutcs. — This includes several species, known under the general name 

 of AfMiiui. The Tamaciilla IIiilia or Auoma, E. cenchria, appears to be the serpent worshiped 

 bv the ancii-nt Mexicans. It is of gigantic size, and has its haunts in marshy places in the tropical 

 parts of Soutii America; it susj»cnds itself l>y the tail to some branch of a tree overhanging 

 the water, allowing the head and body to float upon the surface. In this situation it waits 

 patiently till sonic animal comes near, when it darts upon it, crushes it in its folds, and devours 

 it at leisure. 



The Hkown AnoMA, E. maurus^ resembles the preceding, and is a native of Venezuela. 



6Vh»/s Xll'll(>S(.)MA : Xiphosoma. — This includes a single species, the Bojobi or Green 

 Boa. This is a large and formidable serpent, whose bite produces lock-jaw, and is therefore 

 often fatal. It is a native of tropical America. 



Oi'iuts BOA: Bwi. — Of this there are four species, all of which have been described as the 

 Boa Constrictor. The true Boa Constrictor, B. constrictor, appears to be confined to Guiana 

 and Brazil. Some authors consider it as the sacred serpent of the Mexicans. It is a gigantic 

 species, and frequently devours deer, goats, and other quadrupeds of large size. 



Genus EUNECTES: Euncctcs. — This includes the Anaconda, E. murinus, though it is 

 proper to observe that the term Anaconda, like that of Boa Constrictor, has been popularly ap- 

 plied to all the more powerful serpents. This species is brownish, Avith a double series of black- 

 ish-brown blotches down the back ; the lateral spots are annular and oscellated. When young 

 it feeds on mice ; at maturity it devours goats, sheep, &c. Its provincial name signifies Deer- 

 Swallower. It is found in Venezuela, where it is called Culehra de Agua. 



There are still many other genera and species belonging to the great family of Boidse. 



UIXDOO JUGGLER. 



