214 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
tinct on the back, but run into one another on the 
belly. The tail is slender, and has two ranges of 
imbricated scales on its under surface. 
31. This animal is a native of South America, and, 
when irritated, or preparing to bite, raises up the 
fore part of its body, and carries its head in a bend- 
ing position. 
32. Of this species there are a great number of 
elegant varieties, many of which are figured in the 
elaborate work of Seba, particularly the large An- 
nulated Snake of Surinam. 
THE EGYPTIAN VIPER. 
33. This is said to be the Officinal Viper of the 
Egyptians, and is by some supposed to be the Asp 
of Cleopatra, by the bite of which that high-spirited 
princess determined to die, rather than submit to be 
carried to Rome in order to grace the triumph of 
Augustus. 
34. It is from twenty inches to three feet and 
Where is the Annul ated Snake found ? What is said of its va- 
rieties ? 
What is the Egyptian Viper supposed to be? 
