390 VERTEBRATA. 
Genus EL APS : Maps. — This includes the Bead Snake, E.fulvius of Linnaeus; the form is 
long and slender ; length two feet ; color red, surrounded with black rings banded with yellow ; 
it has erect poison, fangs, but is mild and gentle, and is never known to bite. It is often dug up 
from the ground in the fields of sweet potatoes in the Carolinas. 
There are several species of Maps in South America which are venomous, and when their 
haunts are invaded advance fiercely upon the intruder. The E. lubricus, when disturbed, rises 
upon its tail, its head and body almost perpendicular, and with a most malignant expression 
threatens vengeance upon the offender. 
There are several genera of poisonous serpents in Asia belonging to this family, as Trimesurus, 
P arias, Megcera, and Atrop)os. 
THE COMMON EUROPEAN VlfEK. 
THE VIPERIDJE. 
This sub-order includes the Vipers of the Old World, distinguished from the Crotalidse by the 
absence of the pits in the side of the face. 
Genus PELIAS : Pelias, — The Common European Viper, P. JBerus, in color is yellowish- 
brown, with a Hne of rhomboidal figures running along the back, and a row of spots on each side ; 
length about two feet ; it inhabits woods, and dry and stony districts, and feeds on small quadru- 
peds and reptiles. Its bite is poisonous, though seldom fatal. It appears to be well attested that 
the female of this species allows her young ones, when suddenly alarmed, to take refuge in her 
body, by entering at her mouth. In many cases, when the mother has been killed, the young 
which have thus retreated to her stomach, have been found, and on being liberated immediately 
resumed their natural activity. The eggs of this species are covered with a thin skin, which is 
broken in the act of parturition, and the young viper at once assumes all the virulence of the 
race. Bell tells us that if a female viper, about to bring forth, be killed, and the young ones 
coiled up in the eggs, appearing almost like a solid mass, be set at liberty by opening the ab- 
domen, they will immediately crawl about, and being irritated, will throw themselves into an 
attitude of defense. 
