ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



substantially, have grown ti) very large size, 

 several specimens being three inches in diameter. 

 Repeated experiments have been made with a 

 view to keeping on exhibition specimens of the 

 brilliant little Coral Snake, of mir southern 

 states. This eccentric reptile, however, will not 

 tlirive unless given plenty of earth and moss in 



snake is almost instantly fatal to birds and small 

 mammals, but it must be explained that the 

 venom does not ahvays figure in such sudden 

 deaths. The fangs of this species are so enor- 

 mously developed that a well-aimed stroke often 

 sends them into the vitals of a small creature. 

 One of the latest accessions to the Reptile 



WATER MOCCASIN=. 



which to burnjw. All the specimens placed in 

 cages where they were frjrced to show themselves 

 to visitors have died within a few months. This 

 peculiar reptile possesses such brilliant colors as 

 to appear grotesque among serpents. It is 

 strictly cannibalistic in captivity, and feeds only 

 upon snakes and lizards. When annoyed, it does 

 not "strike," as do other poisonous snakes, but 

 twists and turns like a spring possessed with life. 

 Should anything of interest come within reach of 

 its jaws, it quietly but decisively takes hold with 

 bull-dog tenacity, and bites and chews with its 

 tiny fangs until they are imbedded to their ut- 

 most length. The writer fully believes that tlnV 

 tiny, but formidable serpent, so closely related to 

 the cobra and its allies, is fully as poisonous in 

 proportion to its size as its deadly Indian relative. 

 Its bite is quickly fatal to other reptiles of small 

 size. 



One of the most interesting specimens in the 

 Reptile House is a full grown female of the West 

 Indian Fer-de-Lance, {Lachesis lanceolatiis), a 

 snake closely related to the copperhead and 

 water moccasin. This fine specimen was pro- 

 cured about a year ago. Contrary to the ill re- 

 pute of the dreaded lance-headed snakes of the 

 West Indies and tropical South America, it is 

 very quiet, and feeds regularly. The bite of this 



House is a specimen iif the South American 

 BushiTiaster, representing the largest species of 

 poisonous snake inhabiting tlie New World. 

 Terrible weapons are the fangs of this huge pit- 

 viper, attaining in a specimen eight feet long, a 

 length of an inch and a quarter. 





WEST INDIAN FER-DE-LANCE. 



This makes the second Bushmaster to arrive 

 at the Park alive, anil we can now boast of being 



