The Poisonous Snakes of British Guiana. 31 
due to the no6lurnal habits of these creatures. Owing to 
which they are not frequently brought in conta6l with 
man, in the retired places which they seek out from day- 
light. 
Little is known of the breeding habits of these crea- 
tures. From a6lual cases which have been under obser- 
vation, it seems likely that the number of young produced 
at one time is about from 20 to 30 — 23, 24 and 22 being 
the numbers in three cases. 
The rattlesnake reaches a length of from five to six 
feet, and the adult females are peculiarly stout. 
In many of its chara6lers, the bushmaster or Coonoo- 
cooshi (Lachesis mutus) closely resembles the rattle- 
snake. The ground tint however is reddish or maize- 
coloured, while the rhombs, which are elongated and 
irregular, are of a deep chocolate or purplish black. The 
tail is terminated by a conical spine replacing the rattle, 
and its under surface is covered with small scales instead 
of the ordinary posterior shields. The gape is marked 
by a black streak, and the shield above the eye (supra- 
ocular) is small and narrow compared with the width of 
the head. 
This snake is certainly the giant among vipers, a 
specimen of 14 feet in length having been taken in the 
Colony by Mr. JOHN JUNOR. Specimens of from 8-12 
feet are by no means uncommon, especially in the 
higher distri6ls of the North-west, where they seem 
to be much more common than elsewhere. It is 
certainly the species that is most feared locally, being 
credited with the habit of attacking people whenever 
met with. This however is not the case, for in the 
writer's experience they have always remained as though 
