1894.] ON THE opniDiA or teinidad, b. w. I. 499 



3. Biological Notes upon some of the Ophidia of Trinidad, 

 B. W. I., with a Preliminary List of the Species recorded 

 from the Island. By Messrs. R. R. Mole and F. W. 



T J T> TpTT 



[Keceived May 3, 1894.] 



The foUowino; biological notes are based on observations on a 

 number of Ophidia kept in confinement from time to time, and on 

 others seeu in the field daring the past four years. As we have 

 not had access to any literature bearing on this subject, we hope 

 to be pardoned if we have reiterated any well-known facts. Most 

 of the determinations have been the results of the examination, by 

 Mr. G. A. Boulenger of the British Museum of N. H., of hving 

 specimens sent to the collection of the Zoological Society of 

 London, and of spirit-specimens determined by Professor Dr. O. 

 Boettger of Fraukfort-on-the-Main. We are indebted much to 

 the Society and to these gentlemen for their kindness. We append 

 a preliminary list (necessarily incomplete) of the snakes found in the 

 island by others and ourselves up to the present time. The 

 following species do not seem to have been previously recorded 

 from Trinidad : — 



1. Epicrates cenchris, L., \ar. fusca. Gray. 



2. Corallus cooldi. Gray, var. nscheuheiyii, Cope. 



3. Strej>to2)Jiorus atratus. Hallow. 



4. Liophvs ref/ince, L. 



5. Spilotes poecilostoma, Wied. 



6. Herpetoclryas macropliilialmus^ Jan. 



7. Ahfi'tulla liocercus, Wied. 



8. Homalocranium melanocephalum, I/, 



9. Lepitof/nathus nefmlatus, L. 



10. Lachesis muia, L. 



11. Bothrops atrox, L. 



Epicrates cencheis, 



A snake of this species in captivity gave birth to twelve young 

 ones. The little snakes are very beautifully marked with dark 

 brown spots and stripes upon a light or coloured surface. 

 Although called " Thick-necked Tree-Boas," we have only heard 

 of one being caught in a tree, though they can climb well. They 

 are more usually found in holes, and often frequent the palm- 

 thatched roofs of kitchens in the country, where they go after 

 mice and rats. They are also caught under houses, and often 

 in or near water. The species exhibits many of the habits of the 

 Anaconda, being fond of lying in water. In order to enjoy a bath 

 it will contrive to get into a bottle of water, in which it would be 

 almost impossible to put a dead specimen. So tightly does it coil, 

 that it is with difScnlty that it extricates itself from the bottle. 

 It will remain in such a situation for a week or ten days at a time. 



