26 THE vicToraAX naturalist. 



also liv-e spider and n^st, ty' D. Le Souef ; two Orchids in bloom, 

 also specimen of rare beetle, Scliizorhina Bakewelli, by G. 

 Coghill ; Fossils from upper Eocene beds, at Headon Hill, Isle of 

 Wight, viz. : — Limna? afu-siformis, L. longiscata, L. caudata, 

 Paludina lenta, I'lanoibis euomphalus, also Helix giobosa from the 

 Bembridge Beds, by A. H. S. Lucas. 



After the usual conyersazione, during which attention was 

 directed to the annual one to be held in the Royal Society's Hall, 

 on Wednesday, 80th inst., the meeting separated. 



NOTES ON VICTORIAN VENOMOUS SNxVKES. 



Bv. D. Le Souef. 



Assistant Director of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society's 



Gardens. 



(Read 21st April, 1884.) 



SxAKES of the some species differ very much in colour, a fact which 

 often causes a good deal of confusion in their classification. This 

 is especially the case with our Tiger snake, some specimens being 

 nearly yellow, while others are dark brown, with their bands hardly 

 discernible. I hare seen a dnrk-red variety of the Copper-headed 

 Snake. This is rare. The Rer. F. Hagenauer, of the Aboriginal 

 Station, Lake Wellington, who sent me the single specimen I have 

 seen, informed me that in the course of twenty years he had only 

 seen two. 



Snakes do not charm or fascinate their prey in any way, but 

 approach the object of their attack so imperceptibly as not to create 

 any alarm. [ have frequently seen venomous snalves approach 

 within half-an-inch of a sparrow without frightening it, and the only 

 object the bird seemed to take any notice of was the reptile's tongue, 



