GEEY SNAKE. 
371 
by logwood-hedges, and the green slopes studded with 
clumps of logwood trees, and crowned with neat- 
looking white buildings, I could have readily imagined 
that my eye was roving over English ground. 
THE GREY SNAKE. 
For what reason this little Coluber is distinguished 
above its fellows by a name expressive of peculiar 
venom, I know not, as it is perfectly inoffensive ; 
but Poison Snake” is its creole title. I find from 
Robinson’s MSS. that it was so called in Clarendon 
parish, also, nearly a hundred years ago ; though, he 
says, he has had it alive in his hands, and believes it to 
be a very harmless inoffensive creature. Though not 
rare, it can scarcely be called abundant, being much 
less frequently seen than either the Black Snake or 
the Boa. I have found it scattered in distant and 
varying localities, in the lowlands and on the moun- 
tain-tops. It does not affect walls so much as the 
other OpJiidia^ but is oftener seen in rocky places, 
upon the ground, or gliding through dead leaves 
and dry rubbish by the sides of roads. It sometimes 
takes up its abode in outhouses, where, lying on one 
of the beams within, or securing a narrow resting- 
place on the edge of a board beneath the shingles 
without, it waits patiently with its head hanging 
down, but its bright eyes wide awake, for passing 
prey. That this prey principally consists of the 
little Anoles and Geckos which always resort to such 
situations, I have no doubt ; and indeed, I once 
saw this Snake taking such prey, though in a very 
different situation. 
