134 THE GREY SNAKE. 



doomed creature in its mouth, it leaps forward, flings itself over the victim, envelopes it 

 with coil upon coil of its lithe body, so as tc Q ntangle the limbs and bind them to the 

 body, and, in fact, makes itself into a living lasso. One of these Snakes was seen engaged 

 in battle with a hawk, and would apparently have conquered in the seemingly unequal 

 combat had not the foes been separated. It had grasped the hawk by one wing, had 

 dragged it to the ground, and had succeeded in disabling the terrible claws from striking, 

 when the sudden approach of the narrator alarmed the Snake, which released its hold, 

 darted into the bushes, and permitted the rescued hawk to fly away in peace. 



The colour of this Serpent is rather variable. Generally it is shining black above and 

 lighter beneath, with splashes of purple-brown. Sometimes, however, it is cream or clay- 

 coloured, and occasionally has been seen almost white. But, whatever colour may be the 

 body, the portion near the head is always raven-black. The length of this Snake is about 

 five or six feet. 



ANOTHER very slender Snake, also a native of America, is closely allied to the pre- 

 ceding species. This is the GEEEN SNAKE, well known for its grass-green colour and its 

 singular activity. 



The Green Snake is fond of climbing trees, traversing the boughs in search of food 

 with marvellous celerity, and darting at its insect prey through considerable distances. 

 So slender is this Serpent, that a specimen which measures three feet in length, will 

 barely reach one-third of an inch in thickness at its widest part. Partly owing to this 

 extreme delicacy of form, and partly on account of the leaf-green colour of its body, the 

 Green Snake is not easily seen among the foliage, and in many cases would be undis- 

 covered but for its rapid and energetic movements. The food of this Snake consists 

 mostly of insects. It is very readily tamed, and many persons are fond of carrying the 

 beautiful creature about them, tying it round their throats as a necklace, or as a bracelet 

 on the wrist. The eye corresponds in beauty to the rest of the person, being very large 

 and of a beautiful topaz-yellow. 



The colour of the Green Snake is delicate grass-green above, and silvery white below. 

 Its average length is about three feet. 



BEAZIL possesses a most lovely example of these Serpents, the EMEEALD WHIP SNAKK 

 (Ph ilodryas viridtssimus) . 



Dr. Wuchever, of Bahia, writes as follows concerning this pretty species in a letter 

 quoted by Sir J. E. Tennent, in his " Natural History of Ceylon : " " I am always 

 delighted when I find that another tree-Snake has settled in my garden. You look for 

 a bird's nest : the young ones have gone, but you find their bed occupied by one of 

 these beautiful creatures, which will coil up its body of two feet in length within a space 

 not larger than the hollow of your hand. 



They appear to be always watchful, for at the instant you discover one, the quick 

 playing of the long, black, forked tongue, will show you that you too are observed. On 

 perceiving the slightest sign of your intention to disturb it, the Snake will dart upwards 

 through the branches and over the leaves, which scarcely seem to bend beneath the weight. 

 A moment more, and you have lost sight of it. Whenever I return to Europe, you may 

 be sure that in my hothouse these harmless lovely creatures shall not be missing." 



The green colour of this species is paler below than above. 



The GREY SNAKE of Jamaica (Dromicus ater] is another instance of this family. It 

 is often called the BLACK SNAKE, but as that title has already been employed, it is better 

 to use the popular name which is first mentioned. 



This reptile is extremely plentiful in Jamaica, where it is mostly found haunting 

 heaps of dead leaves, rocks, and buildings. It is especially fond of the crevices found in 

 old walls, and will lie for hours with its head and neck hanging out of some cranny, 

 partially awaiting the approach of any miserable lizard which may come within read 

 while searching after flies. It is rather a savage ophidian, darting fiercely at its adversary 

 if irritated, and innicting a wound which, though not dangerous, is very unpleasant, and 

 causes the limb to swell and ache for some time. It is said, that if i is attacked by a 



