DEATH ADDER. Acanthophis antdretlca. 



The Viper seems to be well aware of the power of its fangs, and to discriminate between 

 animate and inanimate antagonists. I have tried in vain to make a Viper bite a stick with 

 which I was irritating it, but no sooner did a kitten approach than the reptile drew back 

 its head, and made its lightning-like dart at the little creature with such rapidity, that it 

 would have gained its point had not its back been so much injured as to deprive it of its 

 natural powers. 



The ordinary food of the Viper is much the same as that of the common Snake, and 

 consists of mice, birds, frogs, and similar creatures. It is, however, less partial to frogs 

 than the common Snake, and seems to prefer the smaller mammalia to any other prey. 

 The young of the Viper enter the world in a living state, having been hatched just before 

 they are born. The fat of the Viper was once in high estimation as a drug, and the older 

 apothecaries were accustomed to purchase these reptiles in considerable numbers. Even 

 now this substance is in some repute in many agricultural districts, being employed as a 

 remedy for cuts, sprains or bruises, and especially as a means of alleviating the painful 

 symptoms of a Viper's bite. 



The colour of the Viper is rather variable, but the series of very dark marks down the 

 back is an unfailing sign of the species, and is permanent in all the varieties. Generally 

 the ground colour is greyish olive, brown, or brownish yellow ; along the back runs a chain 

 of zigzag blackish markings, and a series of little triangular spots is found upon each side. 

 The largest specimen I have yet seen in a wild state was one of the yellow varieties. 

 Sometimes the ground is brick-red, and now and then a nearly black specimen is found. 

 Mr. Bell mentions an example where the ground colour was greyish white, and the 

 markings jetty black. 



THE reptile that is called by the significant title of DEATH ADDEE, or DEATH VIPEB, is 

 a native of Australia, where its poisonous fangs render it an object of much fear. A very 

 excellent, though short description of this Snake, is given by Mr. Bennett in his " Wan- 

 derings in New South Wales." 



* The most deadly Snake in appearance, and I believe also in effect, is one of hideous 



