292 



REPTILES. 



animals too large for them to swallow. Notwithstanding that their food con- 

 sists of birds, squirrels, &c., they do not climb trees. These serpents usually 

 keep themselves coiled spirally near a watering-place frequented by small 

 Mammals. There they patiently wait until some victim presents itself, and 

 when within reach they spring upon it with the rapidity of lightning. There 

 are many species of these terrible animals. The negroes eat their flesh. 



The FeF-de-lailce ( Craspcdocepnalns* lanceolatus] is one of the most deadly serpents 

 of the West Indies, where it principally haunts the plantations of sugar-cane. Conceal- 

 ing themselves under the long leaves wherewith the earth is strewn, they carry on a 

 constant warfare against lizards, small birds, and rats. The latter animal forms the 

 chief article of their food. When at rest this snake coils itself up in four circles of equal 

 diameter one above another, under the last of which is placed the tail ; the head, termi- 

 nating the upper extremity of the coil, is a little reared and drawn backward. From 

 this position it throws itself with the rapidity of an arrow upon its victim. 



The Horned Vipers (Cerastes), found in the burning sands of Africa ; the 

 Hooded Snakes (Najd], common in India ; the Puff-Adder (Clotho) of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and hosts of others might be mentioned, whose names 

 are familiarized to us by the accounts of travellers. 



FIG. 316. Yii-ER. 



The Viper ( Vipzrus bents] inhabits the mountainous, stony, and woody districts of 

 our own island. It feeds on mice, moles, young birds, reptiles, and even insects and 

 worms. During the cold season these reptiles remain benumbed in holes, where several 

 are often found entwined together. They are most frequently seen on the first fine 

 days of spring, warming themselves in the sunshine ; but when the weather becomes 

 very hot, they are rarely to be met with. The bite of the viper is very dangerous. 



, craspedon, an edge or border ; 



cephale, tJie liead. 



