408 MEGAERA. 



and the abdomen flattish : the total length of the 

 individual now described, in the British Museum, 

 is something more than five feet, the body being 

 of moderate thickness in proportion : the tail mea- 

 - sures eight inches, and gradually tapers to the 

 extremity, which is terminated by a small callous 

 or horny point of aboiit the eighth of an inch in 

 length. 



That this is a most formidable serpent, appears 

 from the large size of the fangs, which are of the 

 usual curved form, and measure near three quar- 

 ters of an inch in length. The poison is said to 

 resemble in appearance that of most other serpents, 

 being a clear yellowish fluid, like olive oil : the 

 symptoms produced by the bite are such as follow 

 from that of the Viper, but in a much stronger 

 degree : Mdien preparing to bite it is said to throw 

 itself into a spiral form, and to spring with great 

 rapidity on its victim ; but at other times to be 

 rather slow of motion, and of a torpid or indolent 

 nature, concealing itself beneath various vege- 

 tables, or within the hollows of trees, &c. and 

 even sometimes in cavities under ground : it is 

 said to frequent sugar plantations, for the sake of 

 the rats, which abound in such situations , it also 

 preys on birds, &c. the female is reported to go 

 six months with young, which she produces in 

 the months of August and September, perfectly 

 formed, like those of the Viper, and very nume- 

 rous, amounting to tv/enty, forty, and even, ac- 

 cording to some accounts, as many as sixty : they 

 are observed to vary in colour, some of the same 



