402 
SOUTHERN AFRICA, 
6. — Of those inhabiting the trees, none are 
more deadly, dangerous, and numerous than 
the " Whip Snake." This is a small delicate 
brown reptile, about two feet six inches long, 
and exactly the size and colour of a thick hunt- 
ing-whip lash. It climbs along the stems and 
lower branches of the overhanging forest trees ; 
and, when it has attained the extremities of the 
twigs, it coils its tail two or three times round 
them, and then dropping its body, and holding 
by its tail, it swings in the air, amidst the nu- 
merous pendant fibres and creepers, so that it 
is almost impossible to distinquish it. "What- 
ever it conies in contact with, it bites, and the 
poison being very virulent, causes instant stu- 
pefaction, when the snake drops on its prey 
and sucks its blood. Thus partaking more of 
the nature of the asp than the snake, which, 
however, it resembles in appearance. 
7. — Of Grass Snakes there are three ; a large 
brown one spotted with black, and usually 
measuring about three feet in length ; a black 
one of the same size and form, and of very 
frequent appearance ; and a bright green one. 
This latter snake is so exactly the shade of the 
surrounding herbage, that it is quite impossible 
to see it. They seldom wait, however, to be 
molested by man, for, being very wary, the 
first intimation of their vicinity is generally 
