IIAJE, OR SPUUGH-SLANGE. Naja 



appeared, familiar as the existence of the Spitting-Snake has been to naturalists for many 

 years. 



The Haje is one of the fiercest among poison-bearing Snakes, seldom running from an 

 adversary, but generally turning to fight, and not ^infrequently beginning the attack. 

 Generally, it moves slowly, but when angry, it darts at its foe, and strikes and spits with such 

 rapid energy, that the antagonist stands in need of a quick hand and eye to conquer the 

 furious reptile. It is a good climber, and is in the habit of ascending trees in search of 

 prey. It is fond of water, and will enter that element voluntarily. While immersed, it 

 swims well, but slowly, scarcely elevating its head above the surface. 



In colouring it is one of the most, variable of Snakes;- Sometimes it is light yellow- 

 brown, either of a uniform tint, or covered with irregular blotches. Other specimens are 

 black when adult, having, when young, a series of broad yellow bands on the fore part of 

 the body. Another variety is black, with a greyish white spectacle-like mark on the neck, 

 and the fore part of the abdomen yellow, with some broad cross-bands. This is the variety 

 shown in the illustration. It is rather curious that the hood of the black specimens is 

 not so wide as in the yellow and brown varieties. The length of the Haje is about five 

 or six feet. 



OSTE of the brightest and loveliest of Serpents is the BEAD SNAKE of North America. 



This beautiful little reptile inhabits the cultivated grounds, especially frequenting the 

 sweet-potato plantations, and burrowing in the earth, close to the roots of the plants, so 

 that it is often dug up by the negroes while getting in the harvest. It possesses poison- 

 fangs, but is apparently never known to use them, permitting itself to be handled in the 

 roughest manner, without attempting to bite the hand that holds it. 



The colours of this Snake are bright, pure, and arranged in a manner so as to contrast 

 boldly with each other. The muzzle and part of the head are black, the remainder of the 

 head is golden yellow, and the front of the neck jetty black. A narrow baud of golden 

 yellow with undulating edges conies next the black, and is followed by a broad band of 

 the lightest carmine.- From this point the whole of the body and tail are covered with 

 narrow rings of golden yellow, alternating with broad bands of carmine and jetty black. 



L 2 



