264. CLASS REPTIHA. 



AciiocHORDUs, Hornstedt, 



Are easily distinguished in this family, by the small 

 uniform scales which cover the body and head, above 

 and underneath. 



The species known, Oular Caron of Java, {Aero- 

 chordus Javensis, Lac. II. xi. 1, 2. Anguis Gra- 

 nulatus, Schn.) has its scales raised, each with 

 three small ridges. It grows very large. Hornstedt 

 has advanced, but erroneously, that it lives on fruits, 

 which would be very extraordinary in a serpent.* 



The true venomous serpents, or those with isolated 

 fangs, have a very peculiar structure in their organs 

 of manducation. 



Their upper maxillary bones are very small, and 

 supported on a long pedicle, analogous to the exter- 

 nal pterygoid apophysis of the sphenoid, and are 

 very mobile. Tliere is fixed in them a sharp tooth, 

 pierced by a small canal, which gives issue to a 

 liquor secreted by a considerable gland situated 



Atratus, Seb. I. 9. ix. 2., and even Terlineatus, Lac. II. xiii. 1 ; Col, Sibi- 

 lans, Seb. I. ix. 1. II. Ivi. 4; and Col. Chapelet^ Lac. II. xii. 1, appear 

 equally identical, as well as the Col. Esculapii, Jacq., and Flavescens, Sco- 

 pol, &c. &c. As to the transposition of synonyms, they are innumerable. 



N B. The Enhydres of Daudin should be the non-venomous adders 

 with compressed tail ; but the only species which he cites, Anguis Xy- 

 phura, Herm, AfF. An, p. 269, and Obs. Zool. p. 288, is evidently an hy- 

 drophis, or a pelamides. 



* We have seen nothing which resembles the peculiar bone which M. 

 Oppel says that he has observed in the Acrocko-dus, and which is a substi- 

 tute for the poisonous fangs, and we are moreover assured, by the testi- 

 mony of M. Leschenauit, tliat the uchrocordus is not venomous. 



