424 



CRIMSON-SIDED SNAKE. 



subcaudal scales, with about seven scuta or un* 

 divided lamellee, commencing immediately be- 

 yond the vent, which is edged with several smaller 

 squamas : the colour of the under part of the tail 

 is a blueish ash, the rose-colour of the abdomen 

 ceasing at the commencement of the tail. 



I must here apologize for an inaccuracy in the 

 description of this Snake in the Zoology of New 

 Holland, where it is mentioned as destitute of 

 fangs, and consequently innoxious ; the specimen 

 then examined having been somewhat mutilated : 

 others, however, which have been since received, 

 are found to be furnished with those organs, and the 

 animal is even said to be highly dreaded by the 

 natives of Australasia. It furnishes an additional 

 example of a poisonous snake with the head co- 

 vered with large scales in front, and thus resembling 

 the major part of the innoxious serpents. I must 

 also add, that the figure in the Zoology of New 

 Holland, though accurate in all other particulars, 

 yet represents the animal somewhat too thick in 

 proportion to its length ; a fault which is amended 

 in the representation given in the present work. 



