LYCODON CAPENSIS. 



teeth of each row, near its anterior termination, considerably larger than the 

 rest, and a similar character is distinctly exhibited at the corresponding 

 point of each row of the lower jaw. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Length from the nose to the tail 12 inches. 



of the tail 2 inches. 



Circumference of the thickest part of the body ... 1 inch. 



From the facts mentioned when describing the colours of the specimen here figured, it must 

 doubtless be considered as a variety of the species, since the specimens which exhibit the other 

 colours also mentioned are the most common. It is the only example of the description I have 

 yet seen, and was found among some decayed wood, near to a small stream immediately beyond 

 Kurichane, in about 25° south latitude. When, by the removal [of some of the rotten masses, 

 the reptile was exposed, it moved slowly among the remaining ones, in search of a place of con- 

 cealment, and when it was interrupted in its advance it simply coiled itself up without mani- 

 festing any disposition to resist the opposition offered. A similar course I had previously ob- 

 served others of the same species pursue, when attempts were made to secure them, and neither 

 did the one here described nor the others ever move with any considerable rapidity, nor appear 

 much in fear of their assailants. All the specimens which I have seen of this species were 

 obtained in damp situations, and never remote from localities where they could readily and 

 without much exertion conceal themselves if necessary, and in the latter respect they resemble 

 most of the innocuous snakes of South Africa, which are not endowed with the powers of 

 effecting rapid movements. 



One may generally form a pretty accurate idea of what will be the speed of a snake, though 

 observed at rest, by mere attention to the character of the locality in which it is discovered. 

 If the locality abounds with opportunities for ready concealment, it may be inferred that its 

 motions will be slow, but if few of these opportunities appear, the chances are, that its motions 

 will be the opposite, and that it is of a species which trusts for its safety, principally, to its 

 powers of flight. 



