200 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



or purplish-brown. Others are yellowish-green streaked laterally 

 with black. Others again, are uniform green. The degrees of 

 light and shade, climate, colouration of the surroundings, and 

 nature of the diet, seem the most likely factors in determining 

 this variety in colour. It is the male which differs mostly in 

 colouration in the case of the Boomslang. 



A Difficult Problem. 



The diversity of opinion is very great as to whether the Green 

 Mamba changes colour when it attains the full adult stage. Many 

 colonists assert most positively that the Green Mamba has never 

 been known to attain a length over nine feet, and that no Black 

 Mamba has ever been seen of a lesser length than eight feet. 

 Some say the green variety changes colour, others assert the con- 

 trary, while others claim to have seen and killed young specimens 

 of both varieties. However, I usually found on inquiry that most 

 of the opinions were put forth without any actual knowledge. 

 Other persons confused different species of snakes with the Mamba. 



A well-known gentleman living at Stamford Hill, Durban, 

 writes to me as follows : " Mambas are generally found amongst 

 roots and rubbish, especially the exposed roots of the bamboos, 

 which have been grubbed round and left after having been cut 

 down. Those I have seen have been from eighteen inches 

 upwards, and when disturbed will attack at once. They make 

 straight for you." 



Matthew Bedlington, Esq., of the Berea, Durban, says : 

 " Some eighteen months ago I saw a young Black Mamba about 

 five inches in length. Colour glossy black, eyes disproportionately 

 large, and very glittering. Again, only a few months ago, I killed 

 a young Black Mamba, length seven inches. About the same 

 time two Black Mambas were killed, length eight feet each. I 

 have not seen or heard of a Green Mamba exceeding eight feet, 

 while Black Mambas of twelve feet and upwards are common." 



The late Mr. C told me that he was once out shooting 



attended by a Kafir, when the latter, who happened to be some 

 distance in front, ran back shouting " Mamba, Baas ! " and Mr. 

 C— — saw the snake chasing the native, but, owing to the 

 man's position, he was unable to shoot. The Mamba reared 

 up and struck the Kafir at the back of his neck, and he shortly 

 afterwards died. I merely mention this incident as proof of the 



