288 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



the Elapine snakes. As a rule, their scales are small 

 and not overlapping, as seen among most snakes. Many 

 of the species lack the abdominal scutes so characteristic 

 of the terrestrial snakes; on a few these scutes are well 

 developed. The eyes are usually quite small with a 

 round pupil. With the Sea Snakes the tongue is but 

 slightly employed, only the forked tips being protruded 

 from the mouth. 



In the development of the poisonous fangs the Sea 

 Snakes are quite similar to the members of the Elapince. 

 The fangs are very short; while they are permanently 

 erect and show a well-defined groove on the anterior 

 surface, the A^enom is conducted through an interior ca- 

 nal and discharged through an orifice at the tip. The 

 poison produces a strong benumbing influence on the 

 nerve centers, which characteristic is associated with the 

 poison of the deadly cobras (Naja) and their allies. 



The Sea Snakes have no gills ; they come regularly to 

 the surface for air. Their methods of breathing are 

 much like those of the marine turtles, enabling them to 

 remain under the surface for a considerable time. If 

 removed from the water their movements are very er- 

 ratic. The awkward attempts at crawling show them 

 to be much out of their element. At such times their 

 vision seems to be defective; they show considerable 

 viciousness, biting wildty at moving objects or shadows. 

 As captives thej^ are nervous and delicate, generally re- 

 fusing all food amid a stubborn inclination to hide in the 

 darkest corner of the tank. 



In the Indian Ocean and waters of the Malay Archi- 

 pelago, Sea Snakes may be seen swimming in schools of 

 several dozen individuals. My friend, Mr. Rudolf 

 Weber, informs me that when nearing the coast of Su- 

 matra upon one of the regular steamers, he was treated 



