THE 
PAINTED SNAKE, 
Generic Character, 
Body covered with uniform fcales, or thofe on the 
belly and beneath the tail, not differing in 
fhape from the reft. 
Specific Character. 
SNAKE with about 240 fcales along the belly, 
and 13 beneath the tail. General colour 
black and orange; fometimes black and 
white, &c. 
The Serpent figured on this plate, befides being dif- 
tinguifhed by the beauty of its colours, is perfedly 
harmlcfs. It is common in South America, where it re- 
fides in woods, and preys upon various infeds, &c. It is 
faid to be particularly fond of Scolopendne, or centi¬ 
pedes, which in thofe regions are uncommonly nume¬ 
rous and large. It is fometimes found entirely black 
and white, and fometimes pale rofe-colour and black: 
but the moft elegant ftate in which it appears is that of 
a bright orange-red; much paler or ycllowifh white on 
the belly, and beautifully fafeiated all over with bars of 
the deepeft black. One of the moft fingular properties 
of 
