HARMLESS SNAKES. 



2 95 



of travellers relative to the enormous size, ferocious habits, and extraordinary voracity 

 of the monstrous serpents of the New World. Still, it is quite formidable enough : 

 one of its provincial names, El Traga Venado, or the " Deer-swallower," sufficiently 

 indicates the idea entertained by the Indians relative to the nature of its food. 



FIG. 319. .SKULL OF PYTHON*. 



FAMILY IV. HARMLE>S SNAKES. 



The Harmless Snakes (Cohtbridce) form a very extensive 

 family, recognizable by having the head small and covered with 

 broad plates, and the tail conical and tapering ; they are quite 

 destitute of poison teeth. Of these not fewer than three hundred 

 ind forty different species have been described. 





- . f 



FIG. 320. COMMON RINGED SNAKE. 



The Common Ringed Snake ( Coluber natrix} affords a good example of the 

 group. It has broad flat plates on the head, and the belly is shod, as it were, with a 



