HARMLESS SNAKES. 43 



thick, and its habits are nocturnal. The following illustrates its 

 ferocious nature : — I once remarked a Colubrine Snake (Ptyas 

 mucosa), some five feet in length, in the hedge of the Circuit-house pf 

 Bassein. On running down-stairs, the snake had vanished, but on 

 searching for it I saw its tail sticking out of a hole beneath a wooden 

 plant-case. Do what I might I could not drag it out, as it seemed 

 held fast within. I therefore, with some trouble, overturned the 

 plant-case, and then saw that the unlucky Colubrine Snake was 

 firmly pinned by a large Xenopeltis, into whose hole it had unwittingly 

 entered. The Xenopeltis seemed about four feet in length ; but, on 

 perceiving itself uncovered, released its hold of the Ptyas. and made 

 its escape." The Xenopeltis preys chiefly on small mammalia, which 

 it hunts for in their subterranean holes; and in some respects it 

 approximates the Pythonidce. 



The Uropeltidce, or shield-tails, constitute a very curious family of 

 Burrowing Snakes, which bear considerable resemblance to the 

 Typhlopidce, but have a very peculiar, short, strong, posteriorly 

 shielded tail, adapted for working their way below the surface. The 

 species are mostly small, and hitherto they have been found chiefly 

 in Ceylon, a few only in the peninsula of India. In that island they 

 are by no means scarce, but escape observation from their peculiar 

 mode of life. Dr. Kelaart remarks that " they are timid creatures, 

 seldom making their appearance above ground ; living chiefly in ant- 

 hills or dunghills, sometimes also several feet deep in rich loamy soil. 

 They feed on ants, small earth-worms, and the larvae of insects, and at 

 least one species has been ascertained to be viviparous. Five genera 

 and eighteen species of them are recognised. 



The Calamaridce form an extensive family of diminutive slender 

 snakes, from one to two feet in length, many species of which 

 inhabit both the Old World and the New, though the same kinds 

 are not found East and West. They keep to the ground, beneath 

 stones, fallen trees, &c. ; and their food appears to consist chiefly ot 

 insects. They are gentle, and never attempt to bite ; they not un- 

 commonly become the prey of the smaller Elapidce, certain of 

 which bear considerable resemblance to the family, but are readily 

 distinguished by possessing the poison-fangs. 



The Oligodontidce are another extensive family of small Ground- 

 Snakes, which are peculiar to South-eastern Asia and its great 

 archipelago. They conduct to the terrene genera of the great family 

 Colub?'idce. 



The Colubridse are divided by Dr. Gunther into Ground Colubrines 

 ( Coronellince), Tmt Colubrines ( Colubrince), Bush Colubrines (Dryadince), 



