THE CORAL SNAKE. 189 



each, the latter color merging into yellow at the edges 

 of the rings. Much discussion has taken place con- 

 cerning the ability of the coral snake to inflict a dan- 

 gerous bite, mainly on account of the smallness of its 

 mouth and the shortness of its fangs. Dr. Loennberg, 

 however, records the death of a Swede whom he knew 

 at Oakland, Orange County, the man dying twelve 

 hours after being bitten by one of these reptiles. He 

 also states that he had heard of several other cases of 

 boys dying from the effect of the Elaps' bite. He 

 adds: "Elaps fulvius is, however, a good-natured 

 snake, and it does not bite unless it is very much 

 provoked. If not handled too roughly, it may be al- 

 lowed to crawl on one's hands from one to the 

 other. I have allowed it myself once, but I hardly 

 think I would do it over again, and would not advise 

 anybody else to try it."* 



I saw none of these poisonous snakes about Or- 

 mond, though I heard all of them mentioned as being 

 found there. The Elaps is said to be common there 

 from mid- April until late autumn, being often plowed 

 or dug up in the gardens, or disclosed to view when 

 overturning logs or rubbish. 



April 10, 1899. This morning I seek the pine 

 woods and the sun a place where nature is open and 

 generous where the breezes freely play, soughing 

 and soaring amidst the needles of the pines where 

 the sun shines only on pines, bunch grass and sand 



* Loc. cit., p. 334. 



