420 MR. 6. S. WEST ow 



enveloped in any capsule of strong fibrous tissue, but is only held 

 in position by an attacliment of fibrous connective tissue along 

 its inner surface. The alveoli of the poison-glands of all the 

 snakes of this group have only small cavities and can hold but 

 little of the secretion. There are no muscles related in any way 

 to the gland *, and therefore the secretion which finds its way to 

 the grooved teeth — and this can be but small in quantity — must 

 do so by the pressure of the bite alone. The gland more or less 

 overhangs the grooved teeth in most genera, and as the latter do 

 not come into use unless the snake has obtained a very firm bite, 

 it is evident that under these circumstances the pressure on the 

 gland will be considerable and will suffice to propel the poison 

 through the comparatively short duct to the teeth.. 



The superior labial gland consists of two distinct and isolated 

 portions. The anterior part {g.l.') is composed of a series of 

 somewhat irregular lobules, slightly embracing the anterior end 

 of the poison-gland behind and reaching as far forwards as the 

 nostril; the posterior portion (yi.") is very small and consists of 

 a few lobules situated in the ventral hollow of the poison-gland 

 near its hinder end. 



The inferior lahial gland extends along the greater part of 

 the outer side of the mandible. 



The Harderian gland (g.h.) is visible, on removing the skin, as a 

 glandular mass of considerable size posterior to the eye, partially 

 covered by the poison-gland. 



The maxilla (fig. 2) possesses in all 12 teeth. The 10 anterior 

 teeth, which are in a uniform series, are short, thick, and much 

 curved, and they slightly increase in size towards the hinder end 

 of the maxilla. The two posterior teeth are larger, almost 

 straight, and directed backwards at a much greater angle than 

 the others. On their anterior face they possess a shallow, 



* In the Hydrophiinse (marine snakes) there are no museles connected with 

 the poison-gland in Distira cyanocincta, Enhydris HardwicJcii, or Platurus 

 fasciatus, but in Hydrus platurus the gland is in relation with the masseter 

 muscle. 



0. J. Martin, " Snakes, Snate-poison, and Snake-bites," Journ. Sydney Univ. 

 Medical See. vol. i. no. 2 (Hermes Med. Suppl.), remarks, p. six, that " the 

 fang, except in sea-snakes, is a functional tube." I find the fangs of sea-snakes 

 to possess a closed groove quite as functional as that of the fang of an Elapine 

 or Viperine snake. 



