TREE SNAKES. 439 
ONE group of snakes is composed of the TREE SERPENTS, or Dendro- 
phide, so called from the habit of residing among the branches of trees. 
Our first example of this family is the well-known BOOMSLANGE of South- 
ern Africa. In-pronouncing this word, which is of Dutch or German origin, 
and signifies Tree Snake, the reader must remember that it is a word of 
BOOMSLANGE. —(Bucephalus Capensis.) 
three syllables. The Boomslange is a native of Southern Africa, and is 
among the most variable of serpents in colouring, being green, olive, or brown, 
of such different colours, that it has often been separated into several 
distinct species. 
Dr. A. Smith has given the following valuable description of the Boom- 
slange and its habits;— 
