236 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



externally in claw -like processes on each side of the vent, 

 as with the pjrthons and boas ; the scales of the body are 

 small, smooth and iridescent; those on the abdomen are 

 but slightljr enlarged. 



The Uropeltidce contains a considerable number of 

 small burrowing snakes inhabiting India and Ceylon. 

 The bod}^ is short, with a stubby tail; the head of some 

 members much pointed. Curiously enough, those sj)e- 

 cies with especially pointed heads have particularly 

 stumpy tails ; when they move they look as if they were 

 crawling backward. 



The scales are smooth and shining; the abdominal 

 j)lates but slightlj^ enlarged. All have minute eyes. 

 From the form and scalation there appears to be a rela- 

 tionship to the Boidcc and the Ilysiidcc; yet there are no 

 vestiges of pelvic bones, or hind legs. Distribution is 

 principally confined to damp forests, usually at some 

 elevation. IMan}' species are prettily colored. 



The family Coluhridce: About ninety per cent, of 

 all living snakes belong to this great, cosmopolitan fam- 

 ily. We may term its members the T3q3ical Serpents. 

 Both jaws are well provided with teeth. The family 

 not onlj' includes an enormous number of entirely harm- 

 less species, but some of the most deadly known snakes. 

 The variety of size and form is great; take, for exam- 

 ple, the wonderfully slender Tree Snakes, so elongated 

 and light of body, they are able to dart like arrows over 

 leaves and slender twigs, or, remaining motionless, might 

 be mistaken for stretched tendrils ; compare these arboreal 

 racers with some of the stout-bodied terrestrial species — 

 the American Hog-nosed Snakes (Heterodon) — the ex- 

 tremely short, thick body causing them to look like mem- 

 bers of some remote family. As to the miscellaneous 

 sizes among the Coluhridce, it is sufficient to explain that 



