
40 AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGY, — 
Some fatal cases of snake-bite in man from this species have been 
recorded, and a large-sized dog will usually die in an hour from the 
effects of its bite, The young are coloured like the adult, and are 
usually about 16 or 18 in number; they are sometimes found under 
stones. The bite of young poisonous snakes, though Be ill 
effects, is very seldom fatal, the venom not being potent. This 
snake has been seen to swim out in a lake or a lagoon to some rock, 
or to a fallen tree not completely submerged, where it awaits the 
arrival of small birds and other prey. In Sept., 1893, on a Sunday 
afternoon, a large black snake, 5 feet 2 inches long, was observed to 
cross the asphalt of the Harbour Reserve, Manly. Almost imme- 
diately chase was given; but, being pressed, the reptile took to the 
water, and swatn towards the wharf. One of the fishermen followed 
in a boat, and ran the snake ashore, where it was killed. After a 
thunderstorm it often Gomes out from its hiding place. Climate, 
season, and many other circumstances affect the virulence of its 
bite. When it bites it speedily lets go, and leaves two punctures. 
It frequents low, marshy places, and is fond of water. It dives and 
swims well. The young are brought forth in March. On hot days, 
in the country districts, these reptiles are often encountered, coiled 
up by the roadside or near an old stump; if disturbed, they make 
for theirshole. 
Food.—The chief food of this species is formed of frogs, lizards, 
mice, and other small mammals, in particvlar the young of the 
water-rat; also small birds, as the finch. On one occasion 16 young 
water-rats were taken out of a specimen, so that reptile must have 
plundered four nests. 
Where found.—The black snake inhabits nearly every part of 
Australia, and is peculiar to it. It is the most common of the 
venomous snakes. It is more numerous in New South Wales and 
the other warmer colonies than in Victoria. In the latter colony it 
is not uncommon near its northern Murray boundary. It is not 
found in Tasmania. The reptile known under the name of ‘black 
snake” in that island is a dark variety of Hoplocephalus curtus, or 
brown-banded snake, identical with Hoplocephalus fuscus. In South 
Australia it has been met with near the Murray, Lake Alexandrina, 
Coromandel Valley, and Aldinga. In New South Wales it is 
abundant at the Collector end of Lake George and near Lake 
Bathurst. The museum, Sydney, has specimens from Sydney ; and 
Lawson, Blue Mountains. Some very fine ones have been killed 
near Manly. The Melbourne museum has exhibits from Grafton 
and the Clarence River district. In Victoria this snake has been 
found in Studley Park, near Melbourne, and about the bend of the 
Yarra. The largest specimen in the Adelaide museum was caught 
by Dr. E. C. Stirling near the Murray; it measured over 5 feet. 
ifn and swamps suit its habits, and produce a plentiful supply 
of food. 
Incidents.—Major Mitchell says :—‘‘ The natives considered the 
black snake very fierce and dangerous, that it never ran away, but 
always faced oy pursued them. One shot while swimming a pond 


