102 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



Harmless Snakes. 



It is unnecessary to notice in detail each of the SoUd-toothed 

 Snakes, the names of which are given above. They are, one 

 and all, entirely non-venomoiis, possessing no vestiges of poison 

 glands, and their teeth show no signs of grooving. 



It is very desirable that the general pubhc should become 

 acquainted with the different species of snakes in order that the 

 present indiscriminate slaughter of these innocent and exceed- 

 ingly useful reptiles should be checked. Through lack of know- 

 ledge of the habits and ways of these creatures of the earth, a bitter 

 warfare has been waged against them, and great numbers of 

 species of exceedingly useful reptiles have been, and are being, 

 exterminated. 



The Egg-eating Snakes. 

 Sub-family II. RACHiODONXiNiE. 



The Egg-eating Snake or Eier Vreter. 

 {Dasypeliis scabra.) 



The Egg-eating Snake is truly a remarkable creature, and 

 serves to bring forcibly home to us the wonderful and awe- 

 inspiring workings of Nature. In the study of Nature we see 

 the operation of a mighty All- Wise Intelligence. It reveals to us 

 the fact that there are great and mighty forces at work which we 

 call Laws, and through the operation of these great forces or 

 Laws, the Creator works. The student of Nature sees the results 

 of the operation of this mighty Power or Intelligence in everything. 

 In the Egg-eating Snake we have a living example of how Nature 

 takes away that which is no longer required, or which through 

 neglect or indolence is not used. We also see how wonderfully 

 she provides for tlie altered habits and en\'ironment of the 

 creatures of the Earth. 



The only species which represents this sub-family of Colubrine 

 snakes is the Egg-eating Snake of Africa. It is different from all 

 other snakes in having only five very rudimentary teeth in the 

 upper jaw, and four in the lower jaw, situated about the centre 

 part of the mouth. Tn fact, practically speaking, its jaws are 



