AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 
81 
Tlie larger number of Death Adders are of a uniform grey color 
above, with forty or more darker rings from the neck to the tip of the tail; 
in very aged specimens these rings disappear or become very indistinct. 
There are many other varieties, some very pale grey or red, and some quite 
brick red, always more or less spotted or mottled with a darker color. 
The lower labial and chin shields are black-spotted in the centre, as also are 
frequently the scales of the first or outer row on each side; pink spots also 
occur on these scales occasionally—in fact, all the grey Death Adders show 
them distinctly; but in spirits these pink spots disappear. The ventral 
plates, in all varieties, are clouded with black; the subcaudals show the 
same color, and the tip of the tail is yellow or orange. 
The habitat of this species extends over the whole of Australia, 
except Tasmania, South Victoria, and perhaps South and South-west 
Australia. Dr. Gray records specimens from Port Essington, and from 
N.W. Australia. Our own specimens were collected in almost every dis¬ 
trict in New South Wales, and in parts of Queensland, extending as far 
even as Cape York. 
That enterprising naturalist, Mr. Wallace, observed Death Adders 
on some of the Islands of the Arafura Sea. 
Erom ten to fifteen young are produced annually, which, as soon 
as they have broken the covering, and are scarcely dry, begin to snap right 
and left when touched. There is one comfort, however, in the undoubted 
fact that this snake is not so venomous as has been represented. A 
few days ago experiments were made until a Lizard (Cycloclus gigas), a 
young specimen about 7 niches long, and though a large Acanthophis was 
applied to its body, the Lizard lived for twelve hours afterwards. A Green 
or Golden Tree Prog (Hyla aurea) bitten by the same snake, survived 
about as long. Dormer experiments have been made with similar results.* 
* The popular name of " Adder” is applied to snakes and lizards ; the Sleeping Lizard is known as an 
“ Adder,” and considered highly venomous by many persons. Not long ago, the death of a boy from the bite of 
an “ Adder,” was recorded in the daily papers ; it was stated that the brave little fellow' tried to rescue his two 
dogs, both of which were bitten and died, and that the {C Adder” jumped at him and w ounded him in the leg ; 
the Death Adder being rather sluggish in its habits, it is more than probable that the attacking reptile w'as a 
Brown-banded Snake, Hoplocepkalm curlus. 
P 
