50 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



well at the fountain. I endured great pain all night, but next day 

 my eye was all right." * 



Of a beautiful green species (Philodryas viridissi7?ius), apper- 

 taining to the family of Dendrophidce, in Brazil, Dr. Wurcherer 

 writes : — " I am always delighted when I find that another Tree 

 Snake has settled in my garden. You look for a bird's nest, the 

 young ones have gone, but you find their bed occupied by one of 

 these beautiful creatures, which will coil up its body, of two feet 

 in length, within a space not larger than the hollow of your hand. 

 They appear to be always watchful ; for at the instant you dis- 

 cover one, the quick playing of the long black forked tongue 

 will show you that you too are observed. On perceiving the 

 slightest sign of your intention to disturb it, the snake will dart 

 upwards through the branches and over the leaves, which scarcely 

 appear to bend beneath the weight. A moment more, and you have 

 lost sight of it." Some of the true Whip Snakes attain to six or 

 seven feet in length, or even more ; and with reference to the vague 

 application of vernacular names (vide p. 38), it may here be re- 

 marked that the " little Whip Snake " of the Australian colony of 

 Victoria denotes a poisonous Snake of a very different family (the 

 Hoplocephalus flagellum). 



The Dipsadidcz are a numerous family of tropical Tree Snakes, 

 which also have a much compressed body, but short and triangular- 

 shaped head, which is broad behind ; the eye large, having generally 

 a vertical pupil. Some of them attain to six or seven feet in length, 

 and all live on warm-blooded animals. It is remarkable that certain 

 of the species prey on birds solely, whilst others attack only mam- 

 malia. Their coloration varies a good deal ; and species of them 

 inhabit most tropical and sub-tropical countries. 



The Lycodontidcz are an extensive family of small Ground Snakes, 

 inhabiting Africa and tropical Asia, which have the body generally 

 of moderate length, rather slender, and the head long and wide, with 

 generally a depressed, flat, and somewhat elongated muzzle ; maxil- 

 lary with a fang-like tooth in front, but without a posterior grooved 

 tooth. The African species feed on mice and other smaller nocturnal 



* "A Hunter's Life in South Africa," vol. ii., p. 133. Vide also Chapman's 

 "Travels in the Interior of South Africa," vol. ii., p. 34. "We have personally 

 captured or assisted in capturing various species of both families, and it is no easy 

 matter to do so sometimes, from the rapidity of their movements among the 

 branches of trees and bushes ; but most assuredly we never saw one of these most 

 beautiful reptiles attempt to dart or to spurt at anybody, and as they have no 

 poison fangs, the latter must needs be an error. — Ed. 



