CROTALUS MILIARIS. 65 



of its colours, being of a yellowish-brown, marked throughout its 

 whole length with transverse irregular blackish bands. The under 

 parts are of a paler colour, and spotted w l th numerous dusky 

 variations or freckles. It is named boic'uunga by Piso and Mar- 

 grave. The Mexicans, according to Hernandez, call it teuhtlacot 

 zaukqui, which signifies queen of serpents; the Portuguese of 

 Brasil call it cascavella, and the natives designate it under the 

 terms hoiguira and boicin'uwa. The bite is considered more fata 1 

 than that of the former species. 



CROTALUS MILIARIS.— Miliary Rattlesnake. 



* Head covered with shields. 



Spec. Char. Body greyish-brown, with a red line 

 along the back, interrupted by a series of black spots, 

 bordered with white ; sides and under parts with 

 smaller spots ; length two feet. 



Vipcra Caudisona Americana minor; Catesby, Carol, ii. t. 42. Crotalopliorus 

 Miliaris ; Gray. 



The upper part of the head is covered with broad scales, placed in 

 four rows; the back is of a greyish-brown colour, marked with a 

 longitudinal stripe of red, which is broken by several small spots, 

 edo-ed with white ; the sides and belly spotted with black. This 

 species has been described by Catesby under the name of the viper 

 of Louisiana ; its small size and its colour prevent its being readily 

 seen, and its rattle can hardly be heard, even when held in the 

 hand; and persons are thus exposed to walk or even to sit upon it. 

 In the United States this serpent is considered as more dangerous 

 than the durissus. According to M. Lebeau, ammonia is the 

 remedy which is employed as an antidote to its bite with the 

 greatest success. 



