72 SERPENTS 



Classification of Serpents. — Unfortunately, it is im- 

 possible to offer the general student a diagram of the Fami- 

 lies of living ser])ents, based on the highest scientific authori- 

 ties, which would be either simple or understandable. The 

 species are many, and their teeth, scales, bones and other 

 features are diversified. Thus far no scientific authority has 

 succeeded in dividing the world's serpents into logical groups 

 without basing the divisions upon anatomical features, and 

 describing them in technical terms which only the special 

 student of reptiles can understand. 



By way of example, take Professor Gadow's simple state- 

 ment of the distinguishing characters of the Family Colu- 

 hridae: " ectopterygoids are present: the squamosals are 

 loosely attached to the skull, and carry the quadrates, which 

 are not reached by the pterygoids: the prefrontals are not in 

 contact with the nasals; the maxillaries are horizontal, and 

 form the greater portion of the upper jaws: the mandibles 

 lack the coronoid pi'ocess or element: both jaws are toothed." 



Under the circumstances, our wisest course will be to 

 select and set forth a series of small groups of serpents which 

 will introduce the species most worth knowing, and at the ' 

 same time convey a fair amount of general information re- 

 garding serpents as a whole. 



Popular Questions and Misapprehensions. — Regard- 

 ing the habits of serpents there are many unsettled ques- 

 tions and many disputes. The perennial "Hoop-Snake" de- 

 lusion, for example, will not down, and probably it never will 

 lack exponents and defenders. 



The question "Do snakes swallow their young?" is also 



