NOTES ON SOME SNAKES 
187 
NOTES ON SOME SNAKES COLLECTED BY 
MR. A. BLACK 
By Curator 
Among some specimens presented to the Museum by Mr. 
Black were the undermentioned snakes, and accompanying 
them were Mr. Black’s notes as to the circumstances of their 
capture. We reproduce his remarks below, and at the same 
time would like to urge members when sending in specimens to 
follow Mr. Black’s example, as it adds considerably to the value 
of the specimen to know the locality and date of capture 
from a zoo-geographical point of view. 
Typhlops unitceniatus (I. 128). — Captured in the sand near 
Kismayu, December 1918 or January 1914. 
Eryx thebaicus (I. 129). — Taken around the 4 Caves ’ about 
three miles from Kismayu. Date as last. 
Boodon lineatus (I. 180). — Date as last. 
Coronella semiornata (I. 181). — Date as last. 
Tarbophis Guentheri (I. 182). — Was killed at Gobwen on 
May 1, 1914. 4 It is unfortunate that it was decomposed. I 
have found that a snake introduced alive into methylated spirit 
will almost invariably keep well, while, on the other hand, a 
dead one is very apt to decompose. I speak of small snakes. 
T. Guentheri was found in open country whilst returning at 
night from a visit. My boy, who was walking in front with a 
lantern, saw the snake crossing the road, and before I could 
stop him he had sprung forward and dealt it three or four very 
hard knocks with his stick.’ 
Tarbophis obtusus (I. 188). — 4 These young sand-coloured 
buff snakes were found in crevices in the bark of an “ ugunga ” 
tree which had been felled to make way for the telegraph line. 
These little things looked particularly venomous, coiling 
themselves backwards on their tails and striking viciously at a 
lead pencil which I was using to dislodge them from their 
crevice. I only saw one of what I took to be the matured 
snake of this species. It was about three feet long, and about 
three inches’ circumference at its thickest part ; the tail was 
long and tapering. Unfortunately, Mr. Harry Rayne, who 
