-t^V^-Jr
il-k:
The Snakes of Australia.
Id?.BF:FT.
f ibrariT of tk llitsnim
OF
COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,
AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
iFounHeU Iib pribate suliscrfjition, in 1861.
Deposited by Mex. Agassiz.
No. Ho^'Zi
?
THE
SNAKES OF AUSTEALIA;
ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE
OF ALL THE KNOWN SPECIES.
BY
GERARD KREFET, F.L.S., C.M.Z.S., &c., &c., &c.,
CURATOR AND SECRETARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM.
THOMAS EICHAEDS, GOYERNMENT PRINTEE, PHILLIP-STREET.
^ 1869.
MCZ LIBRARY
HARVARD UniVERSITY
:!DG£. MA USA
PREFACE.
The present descriptive Catal()a;ue contains a full aL-couiit of nearly all tlie Australian Snakes
discovered ami rei'onled up to the year 186S, iucludiug the Sea Suakes oljscrved on our coast.
Original descriptions have been retained wherever it was possible, errors have been corrected,
and the ranges of the various species defined. Much attention has been paid to the colors
of living specimens, and to the changes ophidian reptiles undergo during the period of growth.
Frequent experiments have enabled me to distinguish between venomous and dangerous
venomous .'snakes ; and it must be a source of congratulation that, with the many new
discoveries in this branch of ISTatural History during the last ten years, not one really dangerous
serpent has been added to our fauna.
In 1854, about twenty Australian Snakes were known ; five years later, thirty were
enumerated in Dr. Giinther's Catalogue ; and now, nearly seventy species are on record.
Science owes much to the energy of the Trustees of the Australian Museum, who, with veiy
limited means, have kept a most able and enthusiastic collector (Mr. Greorge Masters) in the
field ; and I do not think I am far wrong in stating that two-thirds of these newly
discovered species were first exhibited in Sydney.
I am under deep obligations to Dr. Albert Giinther, F.R.S., of the British Museum,
whose splendid work on " The Eeptiles of British India " has enabled me to add a full
account of the Australian Sea Snakes. The gifted daughters of A. W. Scott, Esq., M.A.^
Miss Scott, and Mrs. Edward Forde — have done everything in their power to give correct
figures of the reptiles iUustrated. This task (one of peculiar difficulty, as every naturalist
knows) has been well carried out, and the difierent species will be easily recognized.
I thank all the kind contributors to the Museum — in particular, the Messrs. M'Intosh, of
Lane Cove and Marsh Bank; Mr. Houghton Bradley, Mr. Arch. Boyd, Mr. Edward S. Hill,
Mr. Edward Beiisario, and others, who, during a period of niae years, have enriched our
collection with numerous specimens, and through whose exertions the dangerous snakes of the
neighbourhood of Sydney have been considerably reduced.
I shall feel thankful if occasional mistakes are pointed out to me ; and if sufficient
encouragement is ofl'ered, I hope to continue publications of a similar character.
G. K.
Hyde Park,
Woolloomooloo, March 20, 18G9.
SYSTEMATIC INDEX.
The names of the authors are marked who first gave the specific denomination. The species
which are desiderata to the Museum collection are marked with a *
Fam. TYPKLOPIBM.
Ttphxops. Dum. and Bibr.
1. polygrammicus, Sclileg.
2. bituberoulatus, Peters
3. giiiitheri,* Peters
4. nigrescent, Chray
5. riippelli, Jan
6. preissi, Jan
7. bicolor, ScJimiJt
8. australis, Gray
9. wiedii, Peters
10. ungoiirostris * Peters
Page.
17
17
17
IS
18
19
19
18
100
100
Fam. COLUBBID^.
COEONELLA. Laur.
1. australi.f * Gthr.
20
Fam. NATBICID^.
TfiOPIDOlfOTUS. Kuhl.
1. picturatus, Sclileg.
20
Fam. ROMALOPSIB^.
Ceebeeus. Olivier.
1. australis,* (yrrty ...
Mtbok. Gray.
1. richardsonii*, Gray
23
Fam. BENBBOPKIBM.
De>'deophis. .Bojp.
1. punctulata, Gray ...
2. calligastra,* Gutlir.
2.3
SYSTEMATIC INDEX.
Eam. BIPSADID^.
DiPSAS. Auct.
1. fusca, Gray
Page.
26
Eam. PYTRONIB^.
MoEELlA. Gray.
1. spilotes, Gray
2. variegata, Gray
AsPiDiOTES. Krefft.
1. melanocephalus, Krefft
LiASis. Gray.
1. childrenii,* Gray ...
2. olivacea,* Gray
Nardoa. Gray.
1. gilbertii, Gray
29
31
33
34
35
35
Fam. ELAPIDM.
DiEMENIA. Gray.
1. psammopbis, ScJtleg.
2. olivacea, Gray
3. reticulata, Gray ...
4. miilleri,* iSW(/ey
3. superciliosa, Fi.<ic7ier
6. torquata,* Gthr. . . .
PsEUDONAJA. Gthr.
1. niichalis,* Gthr.
38
39
40
41
41
43
44
[^SEUDECHls. Wayler
1. porphyriaeus, (S7i«i«
2. australis, Gray
3. scutellatus,* Peters
46
47
100
Brachtsoma. Grtj
1. diadema, /SV/Jey. ...
2. triste,* (?//(;•.
48
50
FtJKiNA. Bum. and Bibr.
1. calonotos,* B. ami B.
2. bimaeulata*
50
51
Brachtueophis. Gthr.
1. australis, lirrfl'f
52
SYSTEMATIC INDEX.
vu
HoPLOCEPHALrs. Cuvier.
1. ciirtus, Schlrgl
2. superbus, Gthr.
3. ater, Krefft
4. variegatus, Dum. and Bihr.
5. stepliensii, Kreffl
6. pallidiceps, Qthr.
7. goiiklii, G^raif
8. spectabilis, Krejft,
9. coronatus, Srhleg.
10. corouoides, Gthr.
11. mastersii, Krefft
12. signatus, ,/««
13. temporalis, Gtlir.
14. ramsayi, Krefft
15. minor, Gthr.
16. nigriceps, G/Z/n
17. nigreseens, G^/^r.
18. nigrostriatus, Krefft
19. maculatus,* Steindachner . .
Page.
53
54
55
56
58
59
60
61
62
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
68
70
100
Tbopidechis. Gthr.
1. carinata, Krefft
71
Pethodtmojj. Krefft.
1. cucuUatum, Gthr.
72
Cacophis. Gtht
1. krefftii, Gthr.
2. fordei, Krefft
3. liarriettie, Krefft .
4. blackmanii, Krefft
74
75
76
77
Yeemicella. Gray.
1. annulata, Gray
2. luuulata, Krefft
78
79
ACANTHOPHIS. Baud.
1. antarctica, Wagl.
80
Denisonia. Krefft.
1. ornata, Kreff%
82
Tam. HYBEOPKIBM.
PiATtrErs. ia^?-.
1. scutatus, G/7(r.
2. fischeri, J(tm
89
90
Tiii SYSTEMATIC INDEX.
AiPYSTJEFS. Lacep.
Page.
1. anguilliformis,* Schmidt ... ... ... ... ... 90
2. fuscus,* Fischer ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 91
3. Isevis, Lacep ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 91
Emtdocephaltts. Erefft.
1. annulatus, X»r^i^ . . . ... ... ... ... ... ... 92
2. tuberculatus, AV^i- 93
DiSTEiEA. Lacep.
1. doliata,* Lacep ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 94
AcALTPTTJS. L>um. and Bibr.
1. supercOiosus,* i)M!». ow(^ .BiSr. ... ... ... ... ... 94
Hydeophis. Daud.
1. stokesii, Gray 95,100
2. belcheri,* Gray ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 95
3. elegans, Gray ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 96
4. oceUata, Gray ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 97
Enhydeika. Gray.
1. bengaleusis, Gray ... ... ... ... ... ... 98
Pelamis. Baud.
1. h\co\ov, Daud ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 98
GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
NEW SOUTH WALES.
IirH"OCTJOTJS SICTA-KES.
Schleqel's Blind Snake. Page.
Typhlops polygrammicus ... ... ... ... ... ... 17
Gteat's Blind Snake.
Ty|)lilops iiigrescens ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 18
Euppell's Blind Snake.
Typhlops riippelli ... ... ... ... ... ... ... IS
Pkeiss' Blind Snake.
Typhlops preissi ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10
Schmidt's Blind Snake.
Typhlops bicolor .. . ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 19
ArsTEALiAN Teopidonotus.
Tropidonotus picturatus... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20
Geeen Tree Snake.
Dendrophis punctulata ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 28
Beown Teee Snake.
Dipsas fusca ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2G
Diamond Snake.
MoreUa spilotes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 29
Caepet Snake.
Morelia variegata ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31
"VEITOMIOTJS SIsTA-KES.
G-EET Snake.
Diemenia reticulata ... . . ... ... ... ... ... 40
Beown Snake.
Diemeuia superciliosa ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11
Mullee's Snake.
Diemenia miiUeri (?) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41
GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Page.
Black Sxake.
Pseudecliis porphyriacus ... ... ... ... ... ... 46
SCABLET-SPOTTED SnAKE.
Brachysoma diadema ... ... ... ... ... ... ■ • ■ 48
AusTBALiAjr Shoet-tailed Ssake.
Brachyuroptis australis ... ... ... ... ... ... 52
Beows-bakbed Snake.
Hoploceplialus curtus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 53
Laege-scaied Snake.
Hoploceplialus superbus... ... ... ... ... ... ... 54
Beoad-heabed Snake.
Hoploceplialus variegatus ... ... ... ... ... ... 56
Stephens' Banded Snake.
Hoplocephalus stepheusii ... ... ... ... •.■ ■•• 58
Pale-headed Sxake.
Hoplocephalus pallidiceps ... ... ... ... ... ... 59
Gould's Snake.
Hoplocephalus gouldii (?) ... ... .• ■•• ... •■. 60
Black-bellied Snake.
Hoplocephalus signatus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 64
Eamsat's Snake.
Hoplocephalus ramsayi ... ... ... ... ... ■ • . ■ . ■ 66
Black-naped Snake.
Hoplocephalus nigriceps 68
Black-backed Snake.
Hoplocephalus nigrescens ... ... ... ... • • • • ■ • "8
Claeence ErraB Snake.
Tropidechis carinata ... ... ... ••• ■•• •■• .-• '1
Eed-bellied Snake.
Petrodymon cuculatum ... ... ... ... •■• ••• ■•• '-
Keefet's Snake.
Cacophis krefftii ... ... ... • • ■ • . • . ■ • • ■ ■• • '4
Black and White Einged Snake.
VermiceUa annulata ... ... ... ... • • ■ • • • • • • ' ^
Death Addee.
Acanthophis aiitarctica ... ... ... .• ... •.• •■• ^^
GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX. xi
VICTORIA.
IlTlsrOCTJOTJS SlsT-A-KES.
Page.
Preiss' Bund Snake.
Typlilops preissii ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 19
Schmidt's Blind Snake.
Typlilops bicolor ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... li'
Greex Tree Snake.
Deudrophis punctiilata ... ... ... ... ... ... ... -3
Caepet Snake.
Morelia variegata... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31
"^ElTO]V^OTJS S2sr.A.KES.
Gket Snake.
Diemenia reticulata ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 40
Brown Snake.
Diemenia superciliosa ... ... ... ... ... ... ... -H
Black Snake.
Pseudechis porphyriacus... ... ... ... ... ... ... -16
Brown-banded or Tigee Snake.
Hdplocephalus curtus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 53
Broad-scaled Snake.
Hoplocepbalus superbus... ... ... ... ... ... ... 54
Black-bellied Snake.
Hoplocephalus sigiiatus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 64
Black and White Einued Snake.
Vermicella aniiulata ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 78
Death Adder.
Aeanthophis antarctica ... ... ... ... ... ... ... SO
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Il^"lTOC"CrOTJS SITA-KES.
Petehs' Bund Snakk.
Typhlops bitiiberculatus 17
Carpet Snake.
Morelia variegata ... ... ... ... .., ... ... 31
GEOGEAPHICAL INDEX.
"VEITOI^OTJS SirA.K:ES.
G-EET Snake.
Diemenia reticulata
Brown Snake.
Diemenia superciliosa
Black Snake.
Pseudechis porphyriacus
Beown-banded Snake.
Hoplocephalus curtus ...
Laege-scaled Snake.
Hoplocephalus superbus
Elindees' Snake.
Hoplocephalus ater
Gould's Snake.
Hoplocephalus gouldii ...
Poet Lincoln Snake.
Hoploceplialus spectabUis
Ceowned Snake.
Hoplocephalus coronatus
Mastees' Snake.
Hoplocephalus mastersii. . .
Tempokal Deseet Snake.
Hoplocephalus temporalis
Desert Snake.
Hoplocephalus minor
Black and White Einged Snake
Vermicella annulata
Page.
40
41
46
53
51
55
60
61
62
63
65
07
78
WEST AUSTRALIA.
IIsriTOCTJOTJS SIT-A.KES.
West Austealian Blind Snake.
Typhlops australis
Australian Coeonella.
Coronella australis
Eichaedson's Water Snake.
Myron richardsouii
Carpet Snake.
Morelia variegata
18
20
23
31
GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
xiu
ATEITOnyEOUS SITA-KES.
Brown Snake.
Dienifiiia supi'irilidsa
NoETH Australian Banded Snake
Pseudouaja nuehalis
Scarlet-spotted Snake.
Brachysoma diadema
VEREEAtrx'S FFRINA.
Furiua bimaeulata
Brown-banded Snake.
Hoploceplialus curtus ...
Lar&e-scaled Snake.
Hoplocephalus superbus ...
Gould's Snake.
Hoplocephalus gouldii ...
Crowned Snake.
Hoplocephalus corouatus
Tesipoeal Desert Snake.
Hoplocephalus temporalis
Desert Snake.
Hoplocephalus minor
Renged Snake.
Vermicella annulata
41
44
48
51
53
54
60
62
65
67
QUEENSLAND.
iiTisrocTJOUS sit.ak:es-
Schleqel's Blind Snake.
Typhlops polygrammicus
Gtinthee's Blind Snake.
Typhlops giintheri
Wied's Blind Snake.
Typhlops wiedii ...
Queensland Blind Snake.
Typhlops unguirostris . . .
Australian Fresh-watee Snake.
Tropidonotus picturatus
Austealian Bockadam.
Cerberus australis
17
17
100
100
20
22
GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Geeejj Tree Snake.
Deudrophis punctulata ...
NOETHEKN TeEE SnAKE.
Dendrophis calligastra ...
Brown Tree Snake.
Dipsas fusca
Carpet Snake.
Morelia variegata
Black-headed Snake.
Aspidiotes melanoceplialus
Children's Eock Snake.
Liasis childrenii ...
Olive-geeen Eock Snake.
Liasis olivacea
Gilbert's Eock Snake.
Nardoa gilbertii ...
^EUOnVCOUS SKT-A-KES.
Schlegel's Snake.
Diemenia psammophis . . .
Spotted-headed Snake.
Diemenia olivacea
Grey Snake.
Diemenia reticulata
Muller's Snake.
Diemenia miilleri
Brown Snake.
Diemenia superciliosa
Percy Island Snake.
Diemenia torquata
North Australian Banded Snake.
Pseudonaja nuchalis
Black Snake.
Pseudecliis porpliyriacus
Oeange-bellied Beown Snake.
Pseudecliis australis
New species.
Pseudechis scuteUatus ...
Scarlet-spotted Snake.
Brachysoma diadema
MacGilliveay's Snake.
Bracliysoma triste
Page.
23
25
26
31
33
34
35
35
38
39
iO
41
41
43
44
46
47
100
48
50
GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
XV
SUOET-TAIT.ED SnAKE.
Brachyurophis australis ...
Bbowti-banded Snake.
Hoplocephalus eiirtus
Paxe-headed Sxake.
Hoploceplialus pallidiceps
Bl.ack-bellied Snake.
Hoplocephalus signatus ...
Black-backed Snake.
Hoplocephalus nigrescens
Black-steiped Snake.
Hoplocejihalus nigro-striatus ..
New species.
Hoplocephalus maculatus
Eed-bellied Snake.
PetrodymoD cucullatum . . .
Kbefpt's Dwaef Snake.
Cacophis krefftii ...
Foede's Dwaef Snake.
Cacophis fordei ...
Haeeiett's Dwaep Snake.
Cacophis harriettae
Blackman's Snake.
Cacophis blackmanii
Black and White Einged Snake.
Vermicella annulata
Haxf-ringed Snake.
Vermicella lunulata
Death Addee.
Acanthophis antarctica ...
Obnamented Snake.
Denisonia ornata...
52
53
59
64
68
70
100
74
76
77
78
79
80
82
TASMANIA.
Bbown-banded Snake. — (Black Snake and Caepet Snake of Colouists.)
Hoplocephalus curtus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 53
Large-scaled Snake. — (Diamond Snake of Colonists.)
Hoplocephalus superbus ... ... ... ... ... ... 54
Tasjiani.vn Snake. — (Whip Snake of Colouists.)
Hoplocephalus corouoides ... ... ... ... ... ... 62
GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
SEj!^ SlsT^KES
OBSERVED ON THE AUSTRALIAN COASTS.— ALL VENOMOUS.
Page.
Ringed Sea Snake.
Platurus scutatus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 89
Eischee's Sea Snake.
Platurus fisclieri .. . ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 90
Eel-like Sea Snake.
Aipysurus anguilliformis ... ... ... ... ... ... 90
Beown Sea Snake.
Aipysurus fuscus... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 91
Jukes' Sea Snake.
Aipysurus Isevis ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 91
TOETOISE-IIEADED RlNGEU SeA SnAKE.
Emydocephalus aunulatus ... ... ... ... ... ... 92
Toetoise-heabed Beown Sea Snake.
Emydocephalus tuberculatus ... ... ... ... ... ... 93
Dumeeil's Sea Snake.
Disteira doliata ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 94
Bibeon's Sea Snake.
Acalyptus supereiliosus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 94
Stokes' Sea Snake.
Hydrophis stokesii ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 95
Belchee's Sea Snake.
Hydi'opliis belclieri ... ... ... ... ... ... 95
Elegant Sea Snake.
Hydrophis elegans 96
Eyed Sea Snake.
Hydrophis oceUata ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 97
Bengal Sea Snake.
Enhydrina bengalensis ... ... ... ... ... ... gg
Yellow-bellied Sea Snake.
Pelamis bicolor ... ... ... ... ... ... 93
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
Acalyptus, 88. 9i.
Aeauthophis, 79.
Aipysurus, 88, 90.
amethystimis, Liasis, 35.
angiiilliformis (Aipysurus), 90.
auguillilbrmis (Thalassopis), 90.
aunulata, Diemenia, 41.
anuulata, Yermicella, 78.
auuulatus, Emydoceplialus, 92.
antarctica, Aeauthophis, 80.
Aspidiotes, 33.
ater, Hoplocephahis, 55.
Australiau Bockadam, 22.
Australian Ground Snake, 20.
Australian Fresh-water Snake, 20.
Australian Short-tailed Snake, 52.
Australian Tropidonotus, 20.
australis, Brachyurophis, 52.
australis, Cerberus, 22.
australis, Coronella, 20.
australis, Naja, 46, 47.
australis, Pseudechis, 47.
australis, Simotes, 52.
australis, lyphlops, 18.
belcheri, Aturia, 95.
beleheri, Hydrophis, 95.
Belcher's Sea Snake, 95.
bengalensis, Enhydrina, 98.
Bengal Sea Snake, 98.
Bibron"s Sea Snake, 94.
bicolor, Hydrus, 98.
bicolor, Pelamis, 98.
bicolor, Typhlops, 19.
bimaculata, Furina, 51.
bimaculatuni, Brachysoma, 51.
bituberculatus, Typhlops, 17.
Black and AVliite Einged Snake, 78.
Black-backed Snake, 68.
Black-bellied Snake, 64.
Black-headed Snake, 33.
blackmanii, Caeophis, 77.
Blackman's Snake, 77.
Black-naped Snake, 68.
Black Snake, 46.
Black-striped Snake, 70.
Blind Snakes, 10.
Brachysoma, 48.
Brachvuropliis, 51.
Broad-lieadcd Snake, 5(;.
Brofl-n-banded Snake, 53.
Brown Sea Snake, 91.
BrovTi Snake, 41.
Brown Tree Snake, 26.
bungaroides, Alecto, 56.
bungaroides, Hoplocephalus, 56.
bungaroides, Naja, 56.
Caeophis, 73.
calligastra, Dendrophis, 25.
ealonotos, Brachysoma, 50.
calonotos, Furina, 50.
carinata, Tropidechis, 71.
carinatus, Hoplocephalus, 71.
Carpet Snake, 31.
childrenii, Liasis, 34.
Children's Rock Snake, 34.
Cerberus, 22.
Clarence Eiver Snake, 71.
Colubridfe, 19.
Colubrides, 10, 19.
Coronata, Alecto, 62.
coronatus. Flaps, 62.
coronatus, Hoplocephalus, 62.
Coronella, 19.
coronoides, Hoplocephalus. 62.
Crowned Snake, 62.
cueuUata, Diemansia, 72.
cui'ta, Naja, 53.
curtus, Hoplocephalus, 53.
Death Adder, 80.
Demansia, 38.
Dendrophidse, 23.
Dendrophis, 23.
Denisonia, 82.
Desert Snake, 67.
Diemansia, 38.
Diemenia, 38.
Diemennia, 38.
diadema, Bracliysoma, 48.
diadema, Calamaria, 48.
diadema, Fvirina, 48.
Diamond Snake, 29.
Dipsadidse, 25.
Dipsas, 25.
Disteira, 88. 93.
doliata, Disteira, 91.
doliata, Hydrophis, 96.
dumerillii, Disteira, i)i
Dumeril's Sea Snake, 94.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
Eel-like Sea Snake, 90.
Elapidie, 37.
elegans, Aturia, 96.
elegans, Hydropliis, 96.
Elegant Sea Snake, 96.
Emydocephalus, 88, 92.
Enhydriua, 88, 98.
Eyed Sea Snake, 97.
Family of Blind Snakes, 17.
Family of Colubrides, 19.
Family of Day Tree Snakes, 23.
Family of Elapides, 37.
Family of Night Tree Snakes, 25.
Family of Rock Snakes, 27.
Family of Sea Snakes, 83.
Family of True Fresh-water Snakes, 21.
fischeri, Platurus, 90.
Fischer's Sea Snake, 90.
flavescens, Triglyphodon, 26.
Flinders' Snake, 55.
fordei, Caeophis, 75.
Forde's Dwarf Snake, 75.
Furina, 50.
fusea, Dipsas, 26.
fuscus, Aipysurus, 91.
gilbertii, Nardoa, 35.
Gilbert's Rock Snake, 35.
gouldii, Flaps, 60.
gouldii, Hoploeephalus, 60.
Gould's Snake, 60.
Gray's Blind Snake, 18.
Green Tree Snake, 23.
Grey Snake, 40.
giintheri, Typhlops, 17.
GUnther's Blind Snake, 17.
Half-ringed Snake, 79.
harrietttC, Caeophis, 70.
Harriett's Snake, 76.
Homalopsid;e, 21.
Hoploeephalus, 53.
HydrophidiB, 37, 83.
HydropWs, 88, 95.
Innocuous Snakes, 16.
Jukes' Sea Snake, 91.
krefftii, Caeophis, 74.
Kreflft's Dwarf Snake, 74.
kubynii, Pseudoelaps, 41.
Large-sealed Snake, 54.
Liasis, 34.
limulata, Vermicella, 79.
MaegUlivray's Snake, 50.
mastersii, Hoploeephalus, 63.
Masters' Snake, 63.
melanocephalus, Aspidiotes, 33.
minor, Hoploeephalus, 67.
Moreha, 29.
miilleri, Diemenia, 41.
miiUeri, Elaps, 41.
miilleri Pseudoelaps, 41.
MiiUer's Snake, 41.
Myron, 22.
Nardoa, 35.
nigrescens, Hoploeephalus, 68.
nigrescens, Typhlops, 18.
nigriceps, Hoploeephalus, 68.
nigrostriatus, Hoploeephalus, 70.
Non-venomous Snakes, 10.
North Australian Banded Snake, 44.
Northern Tree Snake, 25.
nuehalis, Pseudonaja, 44.
occipitale, Rabdion, 48.
ocellata, Hydrophis, 97.
olivacea, Diemenia, 39.
olivacea, Liasis, 35.
Olive-green Rock Snake, 35.
Orange-bellied Brown Snake, 47.
Ornamented Snake, 82.
ornata, Denisouia, 82.
ornata, Elaps, 48.
ornatus, Glyphodon, 48.
ornata, Pelamis, 98.
Pale-headed Snake, 59.
pallidieeps, Hoploeephalus, 59.
Pelamis, 88, 98.
Percy Island Snake, 48.
Peters' Blind Snake, 17.
Petrodymon, 72.
pieturatus, Tropidonotus, 20.
Platurus, 88.
polygrammicus, Typhlops, 17.
porphyriaca, Naja, 46.
porphyriaeus. Coluber, 46.
porphyriaeus, Pseudechis, 46.
Port Lincoln Snake, 61.
preissi, Typhlops, 19.
Preiss' Blind Snake, 19.
psammophidius, Pseudoelaps, 38.
psammophis, Diemenia, 38.
psammophis, Elaps, 40.
Pseudechis, 45.
Pseudoelaps, 38.
Pseudonaja, 44.
punctulata, Dendrophis, 23.
Pythonida?, 27.
Pythons, 10.
ramsayi, Hoploeephalus, 66.
Ramsay's Snake, 66.
Red-bellied Snake, 72.
Rock Snakes, 10.
reticulata, Diemenia, 39, 40.
Schmidt's Blind Snake, 19.
Short-tailed Snake, 52.
richardsonii, Myron, 22.
Richardson's Fresh-water Snake, 23.
Rmged Sea Snake, 89.
riippelh, Typhlops, 18.
Riippell's Blind Snake, IS.
Scarlet-spotted Snake, 48.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
Schlegel's Blind Snake, 17.
Schlegcl's Snake, 3S.
scut at us, Platurus, 89.
scutellatus, Pseudecliis. 100.
signatus, lloploceijlialus, G-1.
sordellii. Pseudoi'laps, 11.
speetabilis, Hoplix-eplialus, 61.
spilotes, Morelia, 29.
Spotted Snake, 50.
stepliensii, Hoploi-ephalus, 58.
Stephens' Banded Snake, 58.
stokesii, Hydrophis, 95, 100.
stokesii, Hydrns, 95.
Stokes' Sea Snake, 95.
superbus, Hoplocephalus, 51.
superciliosa, Diemenia, 41.
Buperciliosus, Acalyptus, 94.
supereiliosus, Pseudoelaps, 41.
Tasmanian Snake, 62.
teniminekii, Typhlops, 100.
Temporal Desert Snake, 65.
temporalis, Hoplocephalus, 65.
textilis, Furina, 41.
torquata, Diemenia, 13.
Tortoise-headed Kinged Sea Snake, 92.
Tortoise-headed Brown Sea Snake. 93.
Tree Snakes, 10.
Triglyphodon, 26.
triste, Braohysoma, 50.
tristis, Glyphodon, 50.
Tropideehis, 71.
Tropidonotus, 20.
tuberoulatus, Emydoee[)halus, 93.
unguirostris, Typhlops. 100.
variegata, Alecto, 56.
variegata, Hydrophis, 98.
variegata, Morelia, 31.
variegatus, Hoplocephalus, 56.
Venomous Colubrine Snakes, 10, 37.
Vermieella, 78.
Verreau.x's Snake, 51.
"West Australian Blind Snake, 18.
wiedii, Typhlops, 100.
Yellow-bellied" Sea Snake, 98.
:FI_.Jk.TES
PLATE I.
ij"oi>r-"V"Bivr OMioTJS .
Diamond Snake — 2Iorelia spilotes.
•^PLATE II.
iroisr-VEisroii^ous.
Cakpet Snake — Morelia variegata.
•^ PLATE III.
InTOU-^BITOI^OTJS.
Black-headed Snake — Aspidiotex melanocephalus.
""plate IV.
irOU-^ElTOMIOTJS-
Green Tree Snake — Dendrophis pwictulata.
plate y.
NOu-^Eirozvcous-
1. Skull (side view) 1 ^^ ^^^
2. Head (side \'iew) J
Diamond Snake — Marelia spilotes.
8. Head (upper view) ) ,.
3fl. Head (side view) j
Gilbert's Eock Snake — Xardoa gilhert'd.
•1. Head (side view) of the
Elack-headed Eock Snake — Aspidiotes melanocephahi.s
5. Head (upper view) | ^^ ^^^
•5a. Head (side view) )
New Ireland Eock Snake — Liasis amethysthms.
PLATES.
6. Head (upper view) ") ^^. ^^^
Qa. Head (side view) j
GrEEEN Tree Sn^ake — Dendrophis punctulata.
7. Head (upper view) j ^^ ^^^
la. Head (side view) )
Brown Thee Snake — Dipsas fusca.
8. Head (upper view) ) ^^ ^^^
Sa. Head (side view) )
rEESH-WATEE Snake — TropidoTiotus picturatus.
9. Head (upper view) | ^
2a. Head aud portion of body j
Peeiss' BLrtTD Snake — TypMops preissi.
10. Head (side view) ~\
13. Head (upper view) V of
13ff. Tail )
Schmidt's Blind Snake — TypUops hicolor.
11. Head (side view) of
EijpPELL's BLrND Snake — Typhlops riippelU.
12. Head (upper view) '\
V2a. Head (side view) > of
126. Tail )
Geat's Blind Snake — Typhlops nigrescens.
'PLATE VI.
"VEITOl^OTJS.
1. SkuUof
American Rattlesnake — Crotalus durinsus. •
2. Skull of
AusTEALlAN Black Snake — PseudecJiis porphyiiacus.
3. Head of
West Austealian Ceowned Snake — Hoplocep/iahig coronatus.
4. Head (upper view) | ^^ ^^^
4:0. Head (side view) j
Black-backed Snake — Hoplocephalus nigrescens.
5. Head (upper view) ") ^^ ^^^
5a. Head (side view) j
Tempoeal Deseet Snake —Hoplocephalus temporalis.
6. Head (upper view) ")
6a. Head (lower view) > of the
66. Head (side view) )
Beoad-headed Snake — Hoplocephalus variegatus.
ri>ATKS.
7. Head (upprr view) of
Stephens' Banded Sxake — Hoploccphahix xtrphrnsH.
S. Head (upper view) of the
Desert Snake — Hoploceplnihiii minor.
n. Head (upper view) ") .. .,
0(7. Head (side view) j °* ^^'^
Spotted- irEADED Snake — Diemenin olivnccn.
10. Head (upper view) ") „ ,
lOfl. Head (side view) j "^ *"®
Red-bellied Snake — Pefrodymoii cunilhiium.
n. Head (upper view) ] . ,
11«. Head (side view) j °* ^"^
Orange-bellied Bbown Snake — Pseudecliis australis.
-PLATE VII.
A7"Eisroi,d:ous.
BnowN Snake — Diemenia supereiliosa.
PLATE VIII.
ArBiTon^ous.
Black Snake — P&eudech is vorphyriacus.
"PLATE IX.
ATElTOnSdOTJS.
Beown-banded Snake — Rophcephalus curttis.
^ PLATE X.
VEisToi/no'crs.
Death Added — Acanthophis antarctica.
■^ PLATE XI.
1. Head (upper view) of tlie
Pale-iieaded Snake — Hoplocephalus pallidiceps.
2. Head (upper view) of
Kamsat's Snake — Hoplocephalus ramsayi.
PLATES.
3. Head (upper view, enlarged) ^
3o. Head (side view)
3b. Head (lower view) )■ of the
3c. Portion of body
3d. Tail
Shokt-tailed Sitake — BraehyuropJiis australis.
J
-t. Head (upper view, enlarged to twice its natural size) of the
Ornamented Snake — Denismiia ornata.
5. Head (upper view) j ^j^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^j^g ^he natural size, of
5a. Portion oi body ) °
Kbefft's Dwaef Snake — Cacophis kreffUi.
0. Head (upper view) of the
Beown-banded Snake — Hoplocephalug cuHus.
7. Head (upper view) of the
Death Addeb — Acanthophis antarctica.
b. Head (upper view) of the
Black Snake — Pseudeohis porphyriacus.
9. Head (upper view) of the
Large-scaled Snake — Hoplocephalus superlxts.
10 Head (upper view) )f
10a. Portion oi body ) j n
Brown Snake — Diemenia superciliosa.
11. Head (upper view) of
Flinders' Snake — Hoplocephalus ater.
12. Head (upper view) and | ^j. ^j^^
12a. Portion of the body )
Black and White Einged Snake — Vermicella aniiulala.
13. Head (upper view) of
Harriett's Dwaef Snake — Cacophis harrietta.
PLATE XII.
VEirOl^OTJS.
1. Head (upper «ew) ) ^^ ^j^^
la. Head (side view) j
Tasmanian Snake — Soplocephalus coronoides.
2. Head (upper view) of
Gould's Snake — Hoplocephalus gouldii.
3. Head (upper view) of the
Black-striped Snake — Hoplocephalus nigrostriatus
PLATES.
4. Head (upper new) of the
Poet Lincoln Snake — Hophcephahm spectahilin.
5. Head (upper view) of the
Black-bellied Snake — Hoplocephalus gignatus.
6. Head (upper view) of
IMastebs' Snake — ffoplocephalus mastersii.
7. Head (upper view) of the
Black-naped Snake — HoplocephaJus nigriops.
8. Head (upper view) 1 ,.
Sff. Portion of body j
Fosde's Dwarf Snake — Cacophis fordei.
9. Head (upper view) of
Blackman's Snake — Cacophis bJackmanii.
10. Head (side view) of the
Geex Snake — Diemenia reticulata.
11. Head (side view) )>oft.iie
11a. Head (upper view) )
Percy Island Snake — Diemenia torquata.
12. Head (upjier xiew) of the
Scablet-spotted Snake — Brackysoma diadema.
13. Head (upper view) of the
NoETH ArsTRALiAN Banded Snake — Fueudonoja mtchalis.
14. Head (upper view) 1 ^ ,,
14(7. Portion of body j ^^ ^^'^
Halp-einged Snake — VermieeJla lioiiihitn.
15. Head (u])per view) } „ ,
loo. Portion of body ) °* '^"^
Eted Sea Snake — Mydroplm ocellala.
16. Head (upper view) ")
16(7. Head (side view) > of the
16i. Portion of body )
Elegant Sea Snake — Hydrophis elegans.
17. Head (side view) of
Stokes' Sea Snake — Hydrophis stohesii.
18. Head (upper view) of the
EiNGED Sea Snake — Platurus scutahis.
19. Head (side view) of the
Yellow-bellied Sea Snake — Pelamis hicolor.
THE ORDEE OF SNAKES— OP/f7DL4.
The principal cliaracteristic of this order is an exceedingly elongate body,
covered with scales, and either destitute of limbs, or provided with very
rudimentary ones, in the form of a spur on each side of the vent.
Snakes propel themselves by lateral undulations, with the aid of
sharp-edged abdominal plates, and loosely articulated ribs moving with the
vertebral column, as thus described by Gtinther : — " When a part of their
body has found some projection of the ground which affords it some
point of support, the ribs, alternately of one and the other side, are
drawn more closely together, thereby producing alternate bends of the
body on the corresponding side. The hinder portion of the body being
drawn after, some part of it finds another support on the rough ground
or a projection ; and, the anterior bends being stretched in a straight
line, the front part of the body is propelled in consequence. During
this peculiar kind of locomotion, the broad shields of the belly are of
great advantage, as by means of the free edges of those shields they are
enabled to catch the smallest projections on the ground, which may be
used as pomts of support. A pair of ribs correspond to each of these
ventral shields. The snakes are not able to move over a perfectly smooth
surface."
The number of abdominal plates generally corresponds to the
number of vertebrae, the ribs being double that number. These plates
are of some value as a distinguishing characteristic between venomous
and non-venomous snakes. Thus (speaking of Australian species) snakes
with more than 240 abdominal plates, are generally not venomous, as
so large a number has never been noticed in any other than the Boa or
Python tribe, and some of the Tree Snakes of the genus Dipsas. They
have neither breastbone or sternum nor eyelids, and both jaws and the
palate are usually toothed ; the mandibles, which are united in front l^y
an elastic ligament, are generally very extensible.
E
2 THE OEDEE OE SNAKES— OP J?IZ)i4.
Snakes are naked, that is, they are not supplied with any external
covering such as hair or feathers. Their epidermis is laid in scale-like
folds on the back and sides, and forms plates on the belly, and generally
broad though not imbricate plates on the crown (except in the genus
Morelia — the Diamond and Carpet Snakes — which have the head covered
\ with numerous irregular small scale-like plates). The epidermis is shed,
at regular intervals, several times a year, and removed in one piece,
including the part over the eyes, which, being without lids, may be
easily traced in the cast-off skin. At some period before the epidermis is
shed, the snake retires to a quiet, and, if possible, damp place, where the
skin soon loses the usual gloss and becomes opaque, whilst the eyes grow
blind, as the new skin is formed beneath the used-up epidermis. "When
ready, the reptile selects a forked branch, or the cleft of a rock, and,
pressing through, emerges from the old covering, which is left complete,
and turned inside out behind. The shedding of the skin in a perfect
state is a sign of good health ; but when removed in shreds, the snake is
suffering from some malady. Shortly after this metamorphosis serpents
become very sensitive, and more inclined to bite, when disturbed, than at
other times.
The teeth are hook-like, curved backwards, very sharp, and designed
for retaining, not crushing or masticating, the prey ; with few exceptions,
the palate is furnished with teeth also.
All the viscera are of a peculiar elongate form, there is but one
lung developed, and the organs of generation are double. Some serpents
bring forth their young alive, others lay eggs, but in many cases these
eggs when deposited contain already well-developed young. Only one
family — the Pythons — incubate their eggs.
The division between Snakes and Lizards is not clearly defined, and
one group merges into the other by scarcely percej)tible degrees. The
first family of Blind Snakes presents many characters which remind us
of the lizard type ; such as the large, polished, adherent, and rounded
scales, the narrow mouth, and the frequent absence of the gular furrow
peculiar to almost all Ophidians.
Some authors have classed the Blind Snakes with the Lizards, but
they differ from them in the loose connection of their jaw-bones — a
character which, according to Giinther, mvist be considered as peculiar to
THE ORDER OF S'SAKES— OP HIDI A. 3
the Ophidians, and which is only somewhat less developed in Blind Snakes
and other Burrowing Serpents than in the typical forms. The two halves
of the lower jaw in Ophidians are only united by an elastic ligament, and
even the bony portions of the head are not firmly joined together, and, with
the exception of the part protecting the brain, admit of a certain degree
of expansion ; by which means these snakes are enabled to extend their
gape to an extraordinary degree, and swallow animals larger than themselves.
Some kinds, such as the Australian Rock Snakes, are furnished
with rudimentary hind limbs, in the form of small spur-like appendages
near the vent, which, being absent from venomous species, serve as an
indication that the reptiles which possess them are harmless.
In a state of repose, serpents generally coil themselves up with their
heads resting upon top of the coil. They are enabled to raise the body
for a short time to about half its length without any support, but in a few
seconds the raised part falls to the ground ; this may perhaps accovmt for
current stories abou.t snakes springing at men and beasts. Those Australian
Snakes which are allied to the Najas of India, such as the Black, Brown-
Ijanded, and Tiger Snakes, when irritated, remain for some time with their
heads erect and moving backwards and forwards ready to strike, but no
more than a third of their body is thus elevated. Nearly all snakes are good
climbers, and with the least assistance, such as the sides of a box, they
can support the whole body, resting upon nothing but a part of the tail ;
even the short clumsy Death Adder is capable of performing this feat.
The climbing power of the arboreal species — Tree Snakes and
Rock Snakes — is truly wonderful. For instance. Tree Snakes which had
been closely confined in an empty room, and could not be found for some
time, were at last discovered upon the moulding of a door nine feet from
the ground.
Beyond a hissing and often peculiar drumming noise, snakes emit
no sound. Neither the harmless nor venomous kinds will offer to bite
unless they are hurt or driven into a corner whence escape is difficult, and
if left alone they will scarcely stir. An instance is known of a person who
picked up several stones close to a large Black Snake, without observing
his danger till warned by the hissing sound peculiar to snakes when
molested ; but no sooner had he proceeded to attack the rei)tile, by raising
his foot to crush it, than it uncoiled and escaped.
4 THE OEDEE OF S^AK'ES—OPEIDIA.
The harmless Ground Snakes, the Fresh Water Snakes, and the
venomous kinds generally, attack the smaller animals, such as frogs,
lizards, and mice ; they seize their prey and begin to swallow it at once.
The arboreal species, and particularly the Pythons, kill theirs by pressure.
As a rule, venomous snakes bite and then let go, but the Pythons
retain their hold ; thus, it is hard to disengage one's finger from between
the jaws of a Rock Snake, for if main force be used the flesh will be torn
to shreds, as all its teeth are curved backwards.
Much as has been said and written about the size and power of Boas
and Pythons, little can be relied on. The largest specimens seldom exceed
20 feet in length, and an Australian Rock Snake of 10 or 11 feet must
be considered a monster. The swallowing power of these reptiles has
also been greatly exaggerated ; so that the accounts we read in certain
old travellers' journals, of snakes devouring stags and he-goats, horns and
all, may be taken for what they are worth. Persons conversant with their
habits will be aware that the quarry is always swallowed by them head
first, so that engulphing a creature with horns of even moderate size
would be next to impossible. Such stories as Waterton tells of his Dutch
friend, who killed a Boa 20 feet long, that had a pair of stag's horns
in its mouth, and was apparently waiting for the body just swallowed
to be digested, are nothing but cananls. The same author has treated
us to other stories about the Alligators and Boas with which he engaged in
combat ; these are probably quite true, but those who know what a fat Boa
or Python 12 or 14 feet long is like, will not think much of the feat of
despatching it. Du Chaillu and other sensational authors have followed
in his footsteps ; the illustrations given by them of African Pythons are
on about a par with the well-known engraving representing a Boa,
apparently 40 feet long, being ripped vip by a negro while it is swinging
from the branch of a tree. The present generation will not believe such
exaggerations; for when the foot-rule is applied to the monsters in question
they dwindle down to the ordinary size. Snakes from 10 to 14 feet long are
considered very large now-a-days, and in former ages may have kept armies
at bay, but our better acquaintance with their habits enables us to treat them
with the contempt they deserve. We remember a gallant Commander
of the Royal Navy, who (taking a stroll after lunch at the back of a
THE OEDEE OF SNAKES— 0P2f7Z>/^. 5
friend's garden in one of the suburbs of Sydney) observed a large Python
or " Diamond Snake" basking in the sun. American and South African
travellers would probably have buckled on their armour and tried a shot at
it from a safe distance, but Captain S. quietly caught the reptile by the neck,
and carried it to the Museum. On another occasion Captain P., forraeidy
of the P. & O. Service, brought a fine Python, 12 feet long, from Ceylon,
and terrible stories were told of how the reptile had devoured the ship's
pet monkey, when it ventured too near its den. As it was intended for
presentation to the Museum, one of the officers of that institution was
dispatched to take charge of it. Armed with a bag, he arrived on board,
listened to the stories of captain and crew, and — turned the snake out on
deck ; of course there was a general commotion, the Lascars went aloft,
and nobody would assist to hold open the bag, which, by the way, proved
too small for the reptile ; so a larger one had to be provided, and the
snake was safely lodged therein without further assistance or accident.
Giinther states that Pythons can swallow nothing larger than a
half grown sheep, and that one of them, which lived for 15 years in the
Zoological Society's Menagerie, London, attained a length of about 10 feet
in ten years, or 21 feet in all, it being 11 feet long when imported ; but
that afterwards no further growth could be observed in it.
Snakes feed mostly on living animals ; a few only on eggs. The
Black Snake [Pseudechis porphyriacus) will occasionally gorge itself with
frogs or young water-rats, but attempt nothing larger. In a few instances
it has come to the author's knowledge that one snake tried to swallow
another of almost equal size ; both were of a small species about 18 inches
in length, and died in the struggle. The largest animal which a Carpet
or Diamond Snake will eat is perhaps a Phalanger (or " Opossum"), a
young Wallaby, Kangaroo Rat, or Bandicoot. It is generally believed
that snakes drink a great deal, and that they will soon die if deprived of
water ; but this is not the case with Australian Snakes, which live for
months without either food or water.
The tongue of the snake is long and forked, and serves as a feeler
with which to examine objects. Many persons, believing that wounds are
inflicted by it, mistake it for a sting, and whenever they see a snake thrust
it out, immediately regard the reptile as a poisonous one.
6 THE OEDER OF SNAKES— 0Pir7Z)I4.
The tail of many Australian Snakes ends in a spine or sharp point,
and in one species (the Death Adder, AcanthopJds antarctica) the last scale
is slightly curved, hut almost always soft. Popular belief has invested this
sluggish creature with the power of inflicting wounds with its tail; but this,
like many other fables, is no longer entertained by persons conversant
■with Natural History.
It may be necessary to say a few words about malformations in
Ophidians. These are generally restricted to a pair of heads on an ordinary
body, and such specimens are met with in a very youthful state only.
There are several examples in the Museum collection.
The general habits of snakes will be found much alike in similar
climates, whether north or south of the line. Where frost occurs, all the
reptiles retire under ground into the burrows of various animals ; but
in more genial regions, where the thermometer seldom or never ranges
below freezing point, they select simny hill-sides abounding in flat stones
through Avhich the rays of the sun easily penetrate, and beneath them
make their winter quarters. They do not fall into a dormant state, since
bright, warm days will bring them out a few yards at least from their
hiding-places. Daring this season it is easy to catch them by lifting these
stones and transferring the prey into a bag, through which they never
attempt to bite. Prom sis to ten specimens belonging to different species
were captured some years ago under a single stone not many miles from
the city of Sydney ; and to go " snake-hunting" has been a pastime here
with school-boys for years. In some places, particularly on the north side
of open stony ridges that are studded with low scrubby vegetation, and
where grass-trees, zamias, and banksias abound, flat stones are laid about
to serve as traps during the winter, and are examined from time to time.
In this way a great many reptUes are caught.
The collecting-bag often forms part of the outfit of our wallaby
hunters, by whom the old sjDort of boyhood is not forgotten ; and certainly
there is considerable excitement in liftmg a rock or flat stone and finding
beneath it handsome colored snakes, lizards, or frogs, which, being
prevented by the cold from making a rapid escape, can be captured
with ease.
THE ORDER OF SNAKES— OPZT/D/.i. 7
Thousands of snakes have heen ohtained in this way, presented to
the Museum, and thence transmitted to other institutions. The collectors
have hecome interested in the pursuit, and are able at a glance to determine
the character of their prey ; and, happily, not the slightest accident has
occurred to any of them during the course of eight years.
"With the knowledge of these facts, timid persons may ease their
minds, and rest assured that from May till September they will seldom
encounter venomous reptiles in the scrub. The larger and more dangerous
species, such as the Black Snake [Pseudechis porphyriacus), the Brown
Snake {Biemenia superciUosa), the Brown-banded Snake {Jloplocephalus
curtiis), the Broad-scaled Snake {Soplocephaliis supei-bus), and the Death
Adder {Acanthopjhis antarctica), always retire under ground, only a few
young specimens being found under stones.
The geographical distribution of snakes is very extensive. They
inhabit almost every country from the south of Sweden and Siberia to
Tasmania. None have as yet been recorded from New Zealand ; but they
inhabit Ireland — a fact which is perhaps not generally known. India,
America, and tropical Africa, appear to be the strongholds of the highly
venomous species ; and in these countries only the dangerous Rattlesnakes,
Copper-heads, Puff Adders, and Lance-heads, are met with — aU of which
have very long movable fangs, and belong to genera which are not found
in Australia.
Our Death Adder is the nearest approach to the Viper, but its fangs
are permanently erect, and its bite is not nearly so dangerous as that of the
above-mentioned species.
The Death Adder is only found in the warmer parts of Australia,
and not in Tasmania, South Victoria, or South-west Australia.
Only three species of snakes inhabit Tasmania, though foreign
naturalists enumerate many more. Tasmanians distinguish the " Diamond
Snake" [Hojilocephalits superb/is), the " Carpet Snake," and "Black Snake"
{Hoplocephaliis curtiis), and the " Whip Snake" {Iloplocephalus coronoides) .
The first is identical with the Continental Hoplocephalus superhiis. The
8 THE OEDEE OF SNAKES— 0PSJi)I4.
second two are varieties of eaeli otlier, the young brought forth differing
greatly in colour even in the same litter. The dark variety has been
described as lIoploce][)Ualus fuscus by M. Steindachner ; but Mr. George
Masters captured a large number of both kinds of snakes in Tasmania,
and took from a gravid female some thirty-five young, half of which wei'e
banded, and of a light colour, and the rest black.
The third Tasmanian Snake is very small, only about 16 or 20 inches
long, and, though venomous, not dangerous. This reptile is known as
the Whip Snake (Sojilocephalus coronoidesj , and is allied to the New South
Wales Black-bellied Snake (Hoplocephalus signatusj, and to Masters' Snake
CSoplocephalus niastersiij of South Australia.
We do not know exactly how many snakes Victoria produces. In
the south, the Tiger Snake (TIo])locephahis curiusj and the Tasmanian
Diamond Snake fl£. superhusj are met with ; also the little Black-bellied
Snake (^Hoplocejihalus siffufftifs) and the Black Snake fPsendechis por])hy-
rlaciisj. Near the New South Wales boundary, on the Murray, we find
in addition the Death Adder (Acanthophis antarctica), the Green-bellied or
Grey Snake fDiemenia reticulata), the Brown Snake (Diemenia siiper-
ciliosaj, and probably also the innocuous Green Tree Snake (Dendropliis
punctiilata), and the Carpet Snake (Ilorelia vaHegataJ.
There occur in South Australia, in addition to the above, several
small venomous OjDhidians ; the Death Adder is, however, very scarce,
and, further west, altogether absent. Near King Geoi'ge's Sound are
found many snakes of the brown-banded species, of a very marked colour,
and with the bands much more distinct than in eastern specimens ; small
Soplocephall, and particularly Iloplocephalns coronoides, abound on the
barren hills near the Sound, but of the Ophidio-fauua further to the north-
west our knowledge is limited.
Returning to New South Wales, we observe, in addition to the
specimens enumerated from Victoria, the Diamond Snake fllorelia
spilotes), and the Brown Tree Snake (Dipsas fuscaj, but miss the
Tasmanian Diamond Snake (Koplocephalus superhusj. There is also a
goodly number of small Ophidian reptiles, which will be fully described
hereafter. Near the Queensland boundary, in the Clarence and Eich-
THE OEDER OF SNARBS—OFHIDIA. 9
mond River District, a new form has been discovered which differs from
other Australian venomous species in having scales strongly keeled ; this
species has been described as Tropldechis carinata. A small ringed snake
with a very short head and tail, belonging to the South American genus
Brachyiiro2)his, is met with on the Clarence, as also are many other dimi-
nutive Ophidians which do not inhabit the southern districts. There the
Diamond Snake disappears, and the sombre-coloured Carpet Snake takes
its place, but no other Rock Snake is observed until the tropics are fairly
entered.
Northern Queensland is rich in harmless Pythons ; Nardoa gilbertii
and AsjykUotes melmiocephalus occur near Port Denison, and at the Gulf
of Carpentaria two species of the genus Liasis have been observed. The
harmless Presh-water Snakes Cerberus australis and Ilyron richardsonii
appear to be restricted in their habitat to the northern rivers.
A second harmless Tree Snake Dendrophis calligastra has lately
been discovered near Cape York, and a variety of the Australian Brown
Tree Snake Dipsas fusca extends even to New Ireland. This large island
produces a second Tree Snake belonging to the genus Dendrophis, pro-
bably a new species, and a Python (Liasis amethystimis) which grows to
a considerable size. The islands to the south-east of the Solomon Group
are inhabited by harmless Pythons only. Enygriis bibronii is the most
common of them, and found on the Solomon, New Hebrides, and Piji
Grovip, and the rarer Bolyeria multicarinata, whicli is generally l)ut
erroneously recorded by Foreign naturalists as inhabiting the shores of
Port Jackson, must also be referred to the islands east of New Guinea.
We believe that a small venomous snake allied to the Australian
genus Dietnenia is peculiar to Viti Levu, the principal island of the Pijis,
but no large or dangerous venomous snake is on record from any other
locality in the South Pacific. At New Caledonia no snakes have yet been
noticed ; they are also absent from New Zealand, where a few lizards and
frogs only represent the reptilia fauna.
Twenty-one innocuous and forty-two venomous Australian snakes
have been described, but of the latter not more than five species are dan-
gerous to man or the larger animals, and these retire under ground for
nearly five months in the year. It is, of course, most desirable to dis-
tinguish the dangerous from the harmless species by external characters ;
p
10 THE OEDEE OF SNAKES— OPifZDI^.
and, by a little attention to the subject, this may be easily done. The
following synopsis shews the distbiguishing characters of —
«._NoN-YENOMors Snakes. . 3^^^ g^^^g^
Scales smooth, polished, not imbricated ; witliout external eyes ; tail V pjj,^g y^ gg^ 9^ 9,,^
very short, ending in a sharp point ... ... .•• ■■■/ 10,11,12,12a,
■^ ^ { 126, 13, 13a.
/" Colubrides and
Gape of mouth deeply curved upwards, seven or more upper and ) Tree Snakes.
■,,■.■■, 1 Plate V, figs. 6, 6a,
lower labials ( 7,7a,8,8a.
Scales small, in more than thirty rows, more than ten labial scales r Pythons or
bordering the mouth above and below ; tail short and prehensile ; J p^°^ ^ fils^ 2 3
rudimentary limbs like spurs on each side of the vent (^ 3a, 4,' 5^5a.
Innocuous snakes when they bite leave marks thus —
Venomous
Colubrine Snakes.
Plates XI and
XII.
h. — Venomous Snakes.
The gape of the mouth forming a straight line ; with upper and lower"'
labial shields six, and never more than seven in number ; body-
scales in not more than twenty-six rows ; larger teeth in front of
the upper jaw covered by the gums
Venomous snakes, when they bite, leave two punctures only, thus —
(• . )
An Australian snake that is not thicker than a man's little finger,
whatever may be its length, cannot by its bite endanger the life of an adult
human being.
Giinther states that "poisonous snakes are armed with a long
canaliculated tooth in front of the upper jaw, with a duct which carries
the poisonous fluid from a large gland to the tooth. This venom gland
corresponds with the parotid salivary gland of the mammals, and is
situated on the side of the head, above the angle of the mouth ; it is
invested by a dense fibrous sheath, which is covered by a layer of muscular
fibres. At the moment the snake opens its mouth to bite, these muscles
compress the gland, and force its contents through the excretory duct into
the channel of the venom tooth, whence it is injected into the wound.
The structure of the venom tooth is not the same in all poisonous snakes ;
in some it is fixed to the maxillary bone, which is as long, or nearly as
long as in the non-venomous snakes, and generaUy bears one or more
ordinary teeth on its hinder portion. The venom tooth is fixed more or
less erect, is not very long, and its channel is generally visible as an external
groove. The poisonous snakes with this dentition, have externally a
more or less striking resemblance to the non- venomous ones; and on
THE ORDER OF SNAKES— 0PiZ7Z>JJ. 11
this account they are designatod as Venomous Colubvine Snakes, and form
the second suborder of snakes." All our Australian venomous serpents
belong to this suborder (except the "Death Adder," Acanthophis antarctica,
which occupies an intermediate position between the venomous colubrine
snakes and the venomous snakes properly so called).
Tlie third group or suborder is formed by those reptiles which have
an exceedingly long venom fang, with a perfectly closed and externally
invisible channel in its interior. The American Rattlesnake, the African
Puff Adder, and other highly venomous serpents, may be mentioned as
examples of this group. To give some idea of the relative size of the
venom fangs in snakes of the third or viperine suborder, we refer to plate
Yl, fig. 1, which represents the skull of the American Rattlesnake ( Crotahis
durissus), whUst fig. 2 represents that of the Australian Black Snake {Pseii-
dechis porphyriacus). The fangs of the latter are scarcely large enough to
penetrate common cloth or leather; they do not pierce ordinary bush boots,
as has been frequently proved by experiment. If plate V, fig. 1 (the skull
of the harmless Diamond Snake) be compared with the two previous figures,
it will be seen at a glance where lies the difference between a venomous and
a harmless serpent. The third suborder has no representatives in Australia.
Owing to a limited power of locomotion, snakes are very mu.ch restricted
in their habitat ; and, thovigh rich in the number of species, Australia has
but few genera of Ophidian reptiles, when compared with other countries
in the same latitude. The four Blind Snakes, two Colubrides, two Fresh
Water Snakes, and three Tree Snakes, belong to genera which are not
peculiarly Australian ; while the six species of Rock Snakes are not found
beyond this region — ^that is, not in India or the islands of the Archipelago ;
Timor, New Ireland, and the Fiji Group, being the extreme northern limits of
their geographical distriljution. Twenty-three species constitute the whole
of the Australian non-venomous snakes; and, not counting the Blind Snakes,
we have but five harmless Ophidians in New South "Wales. The second
suborder, comprising the Venomous Colubrine Snakes, is, however, very
large ; and forty-two well-defined Australian species are known at present.
Nearly all the larger kinds have the power of dilating the skin of the neck,
and resemble in this respect the Hooded Snakes or " Najas" of India.
The Brown-banded Snake [Hoplocephalus mirtus), the Large-scaled Snake
[Hoploeephalns superbus), the Black Snake {Pseudechls povphijriacus), and
the Orange-l)ellied Snake [Pseudec/ds austvaUs), belong to this group, and
12 THE OEDEE OF SHAKES— OPSIDIA.
are perhaps our most dangerous Ophidians. Two other large snakes — the
Brown Snake (Diemenia superciliosa), and the Northern Banded Snake
{Pseudonaja nuchalis) — and all the small venomous but not dangerous
species, do not distend their necks when angry, and probably bear a close
resemblance to the Slapidte of South America. The whole are peculiar
to the Australian region, except the Short-tailed Snake {Brachyurophis
australis), which, according to Giinther, belongs to an American genus.
The real position of the Death Adder [Acanthophis antarctica) has not yet
been pointed out ; in form a true viper, this snake has its poison fangs
permanently erect, and will therefore be classified according to its den-
tition with the Elapidce. From late experiments, it also appears that
the venom of this reptile is less dangerous than that of the first-
mentioned four species; thus, a Prog {Hyla aurea) and a young Sleeping
Lizard {Cyclodus gigas), severely bitten by a Death Adder, lived for
more than twelve hours after the bite. The snake was fresh, and very
vigorous, and the fangs were left in the wound for two minutes.
We have already alluded to the nomenclature of foreign naturalists,
who will persist in adding to our fauna reptiles which do not exist ; the
typical sj)ecies of which (solitary sjoecimens) are generally in the Paris
Museum. Bolyeria inultlcarinata and Furina colonotos may be mentioned
as examples. Their habitat is erroneously given as Port Jackson and
Tasmania, though they have not been observed in these places before or
since their alleged discovery by the Prench voyagers during their very
brief sojourn on these shores.
It will be necessary also to say a few words about the Sea Serpents
which visit our coast, as they belong to the second suborder, and are
frequently overlooked in adding up the Australian fauna.
Two well-known forms— the Ringed Sea ^n?^Q(Flaturus laticaudatus)
and the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake ( Pe/crwis bicolor) — are occasionally thrown
ashore on the coast of New South Wales; but eight other species have been
noticed further north, and these are fully described in Giinther's great Avork
" The Reptiles of British India," from which our figures and descriptions
of tliem have been copied. Except the two common species. Sea Snakes are
rare in collections; and in arranging the riches of the Australian Museum,
one of these aquatic reptiles has been found that cannot be classed with
any other known form, and will constitute the type of a new genus.
THE ORDER OF SNAKES— OP^ZZ)/^.
xs
Nothing now remains but to give a few hints with regard to the
names adopted by naturalists for the scales of the head and body in
Ophidian reptiles ; and for this purpose three woodcuts are added, to shew —
1st. The head from above, with nine scales, whereof
r is the rostral shield v vertical
f anterior frontals (2) s superciliary (one over each eye)
/posterior frontals (2) o occipital (2)
2nd. A side view of the head of a (non-venomous) snake : —
Shewing — n' and n the nasals.
/. The loreal (absent in nearly all Australian venomous snakes).
a. Anterior ocular.
p. Posterior ocular (generally two behind each eye).
f. Temporals. Many venomous snakes have a large temporal shield wedged in
between the two last upper labials, in such a manner as to give it the appearance
of a labial shield.
M. Tipper labials — There are generally six of these shields in venomous snakes (we
may say always six, never more). Non- venomous serpents have seven or more.
* The lower labial shields, which correspond to those of the upper jaw, and are
reduced to six in poisonous serpents. The labial shields have not been con-
sidered of much value in distinguishing one group from the otlier ; but, after
examination of many thousand specimens, it may be safely asserted that, by
these shields alone can the harmless or venomous character of snakes be ascer-
tained. This rule does not apply to Sea Snakes, nor to the Blind Snakes of the
family TyphlopiJoe, but to Australian venomous and innocuous colubrine snakesonly.
M THE OEDER OP SHAKES— OPSIBIA.
It must be borne in mind that we only deal with Australian snakes,
not with American, African, or Asiatic species of the family Viperidce,
which have a large number of labial shields.
The Death Adder {Acanthophis antarctica) — intermediate between
the Viperine and the Colubrine Venomous Snakes — has seven lower
labials, but never more than six upper ones.
3rd view, —
'-. t*"
representing the head of a non-venomous snake from below, shewing (m)
the mental shield, (c c) the chin shields, (*) the lower labials, and {a b)
the abdominal or ventral plates. The two first shields do not enter much
into the classification of Ophidians.
There are a few other expressions which it will be weU to define.
In mentioning the body scales, the word imbricate frequently occurs, by
which it is implied that the scales overlay each other like the tiles of a roof.
The abdominal or ventral plates are counted from the chin shields
to the vent, which is covered by one or two plates ; below tliis the sub-
caudal plates commence, in one or two rows.
A few concluding remarks on snake poison, and the treatment of
wounded persons, will perhaps be acceptable to many readers. A great
deal has been written upon this subject of late, but with little benefit to
the general public. The antidote vendors and their supporters have, how-
ever, been thoroughly exposed, and fresh experiments only prove that some
animals will die in spite of every remedy, and others recover without physic.
Injections into the blood have been recommended, but ignorant
persons were not cautioned agaiast the danger of the experiment ; and
in the hands of the unskilled, the cure may prove to be worse than the
disease. Doctors are not always present in places where dangerous snakes
abound ; it is necessary, therefore, to consider what should be done when
a wound has been received by a person who cannot obtain scientific
THE OEDER OF SNAKES— OP HID I A. 15
aid — and is perhaps without even water or a knife. The whole treatment
then resolves itself into this : — Suck the wound, if possible at once; appli)
a ligature ; lacerate the punctures, and tvash the part with icater or urine ;
keep mocing, and do not despond. Half the nvimher of fatal cases have
resulted from fear, many persons having died simply because they lost
heart, did not attempt to tie a ligature, or were afraid to lacerate the
wound and suck it. There is generally no lack of courage in the inhabi-
tants of the Australian bush, but it runs in the wrong channel, and often
shows itself in chopping off the wounded toe or finger — a very foolish
and a very dangerous thing to do.
Prophets are seldom believed in their own country — let us see
therefore what is recommended by Dr. Glinther, E.R.S., the best known
and the ablest of living herpetologists : —
" In ninety-nine out of a hundred cases, the wounds are inflicted
on the hands or feet, and a ligature or two should be made, as tight as
possible, at a short distance above the wound ; the ligature to be left on until
the proper means are provided to destroy the virus in the wound, and until
medicine is taken internally, or until great pain or swelling necessitates
its removal. The punctured wounds are to be enlarged by incisions at
least as deep as the wounds, to cause a free efflux of the poisoned blood,
and to facilitate its removal by sucking. The wounds to be sucked by the
patient himself, or by another person whose mouth is free from wounds.
Cupping-glasses wUl be found very useful. Ammonia should be rubbed
into the wound, and be taken in large doses internally, from one to three
wine-glasses of the eau de luce, or from one to sis glasses of brandy
at short intervals." And the learned Doctor thus concludes : — " In all
accidents caused by bites of snakes, the action of the heart is much
affected ; its contractions become feeble, the respiration difficult, and the
patient feels great anguish, or sinks into a fainting state. To prevent
a complete collapse it is necessary to use these strong excitants, and to
repeat them until the alarming symptoms are allayed. It would be a
great risk in such a case to trust to the remedies of a snake charmer."
In arguing about the value of certain remedies in cases of snake
poisoning, it must not be forgotten that very few persons are able to
classify these reptUes, and that when treatment has proved successful,
there has not always been sufficient evidence to shew that the reptile
16 THE OEDEE OF SNAKES— OP HID lA.
that inflicted the bite was a dangerous one. In reporting their cases,
parties interested are seldom able to give any information beyond the
popular name by which a certain snake is known in the district in which
tliey reside ; and, as no general work on Australian Herpetology has yet
been published, it is next to impossible, even for those who feel a great deal
of interest in the matter, to master the often vexatious subject of snake
classification.
We shall now proceed to enumerate the various species, and then
give as many figures as possible, by means of which, and the descriptions,
students of this branch of science will be better able than heretofore to
form an opinion respecting venomous and harmless reptiles.
FIRST SXJBORDEH.
INNOCUOUS SNAKES-0P^JZ)J7 COLUBBIFOBMES.
Snakes without grooved or perforated fang-like teeth in front.
Five families are represented in Australia.
1. BiiNii-sifAKES — f Ventral scales not larger than those on the back ; mental groove
Typhlopidae. t none ; upper labials four.
2. CoLTTBEiBES — C Body neither very slender nor compressed ; no fang-like tooth
Colubridse. ^- in front or in the middle of the upper jaw.
3. Teee-snakes — f Body and tail much compressed or very slender ; head elongate ;
Dendrophidas. ^ eye large, pupil round ; no fang-Uke tooth in front.
4. NocTiJENAi, Thee- C Body and base of tail much compressed ; head sub-triangular,
SNAKES — ■ ) broad behind, very distinct from neck, with short snout ; eye
Dipsadidae. ( very large, pupil elliptical, erect.
5. EocK-SNAKES — C Body cylindrical, flexible ; anterior maxillary teeth unequal iu
Pythonidae. t length, rudiments of hind limbs present.
AUSTRALIAN SNAICES. 17
FxUIILY OF BLIND SNAKES— TFPiZXOPZZ)^.
This family comprises those snakes which are known as Blind
Worms ; they have a cylindrical hody, and a very short head and tail, the
latter ending in a sharp point. The fore-part of the head is provided with
large shields, covering the very rudimentary eye, which appears like a faint
blue spot, and in some species is not visible at all.
Blind Snakes burrow in search of their food, which consists chiefly
of ants and their eggs and larvae. In excavating they are greatly assisted
by their blunt heads, smooth scales, and short pointed tails. The posterior
is generally larger than the anterior portion of their body. As far as
can be ascertained, eight species of Australian Blind Snakes have been
recorded, and descriptions and figures thereof published in works that are
not all accessible to the author ; it must therefore suffice to simply
enumerate the various species, and add a few illustrations from the work
of Professor Jan.
TlTPHIiOPS.
Typhlops (sp. Schneider) Dmn. Sf Bihr.
Snout covered with large shields ; rostral large, rounded in front ;
prseocular shield present ; nostrils laterally in front of the snout.
Schlegel's Blind Snake. Typhlops polygrammicus.
Typhlops polygrammicus, Schlegel, Abhild. unheJc. Amph.
This species was first discovered at Timor, but subsequently found
also in New South Wales. All the scales are brown, bordered with yellow.
Peters' Blfnd Snake. Typhlops bituberculatus.
TypUops bituberculatus, Peters. Monatsber. Akad. Wiss. Berlin.
Professor Peters, of the Royal Museum at Berlin, has given a
description of this snake, which is said to inhabit South Australia.
GiJNTHER's Blind Snake. Typhlo]}s guntheri.
Typhlops guntheri, Peters. Monatsber. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1865, p. 239, fig. 1.
The same author has given an account of this reptile, which belongs
to North Australia ; it was discovered by the late Mr. Elsey, who accom-
panied Gregory's Expedition as Surgeon and Naturalist.
G
U AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
Gray's Blind Snake. Typhlops nigrescens.
(Plate V, figs. 12, 12a, 12b.)
Typhlops nigrescens. Gray, Cat. of Lizards in Col. Brit. Mus., p. 135.
Dr. J. E. Gray gives the followmg description of this species: — " Body
slender, hlackish ; chin and under side white, the line of separation rather
ragged ; the dorsal scales pale edged, especially on the front ; head whitish
in front, the head shields more or less clouded with grey in the centre ;
the rostral moderate, rounded above, rather curved on the sides ; central
crown-shields rhombic, as long as broad, the first the largest, the second
and third of equal sizes ; tail short, and tapering, rather longer than wide,
tip rather blunt, scarcely incurved." The typical specimen in the British
Museum collection was found at Parramatta ; another example in Vienna
was obtained by the naturalists of the "Novara," probably from the neigh-
boui"hood of Sydney. The last specimen measures 33 inches 5 lines, the
tail being one inch long. The figures are considerably enlarged.
West Australian Blind Snake. Typhlops australis.
Typhlops australis, Gray, Gat. of Lizards in Col. Brit. Mus.
Coloration a uniform pale yellow; rostral shield brown, nasal brown
and rounded above ; the central crown-shields nearly as long as broad, six-
sided, the second (frontal) the smallest, the first and third nearly equal
sized ; tail very short, about as long as wide.
Dr. Gray, from whose description the above notes are taken, mentions
West Australia as the habitat of this species.
Btjppell's Blind Snake. Typhlops rilppelli.
(Plate V, fig. 11.)
Typhlops I'iippelli, Jan, Icon., libr. 9, pi. 1, f. 2.
Scales in 22 rows.
Total length, 22 inches.
Tail, 1 inch.
Rostral shield large and broad above, narrowing below ; preoculars
much larger at the base than at the tip, third upper labial in contact with
the ocular and preocular ; anterior scales smaller than the posterior
ones ; tail short, cylindrical, very obtuse, three times the length of its
diameter, and ending in a small spine.
Coloration, brownish grey above, and yellowish below ; each scale
of the back being bordered with yellowish white, the markings becoming
obsolete posteriorly. The form is cylindrical, enlarging towards the tail.
Habitat, New South Wales. The typical specimens in the Prankfort
Museum were obtained in the neighbourhood of Sydney.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 19
Preiss' Blind Snake. Typhlops prei^si.
(Plato V, figs. 9, 9a.)
Typhlops preissi, Jan. Icon., libr. i, pi. V, fig. 2.
Scales in 22 rows.
Tail, 5 lines, being as long as broad.
Total length, 17 inches 5 lines.
Coloration, grey above, lighter below. Habitat, South-eastern
Australia. The typical specimen is in the Museum at Leyden.
Schmidt's Blind Snake. Ti/phlops bicolor.
(Plate V, figs. 10, 13, 13a.)
Typhlops bicolor, Schmidt, Peters, Monalsher, der Berl. Akad., Wiss., 1860, pi. 81.
Jan, Icon., libr. i, pi. IV, V, f. 3.
Scales in 22 rows.
Total length, 27 inches 5 lines.
Tail, 8 lines.
Coloration, light brown above, yellowish white below. The typical
specimen, obtained in the neighbourhood of Melbourne, is in the Hamburg
Museum.
FAMILY OF COUJBmm^-COLUSEIJ)^.
The greater number of all the non- venomous snakes belongs to this
family, but only two species are recorded from Australia; of these,
one inliabits the far north, and is represented in the British Museum by a
single individual. The Colubers do not show any peculiar distinguishing
characters ; they are generally of a moderate length, with a full rounded
body, well-proportioned head, distinct from the neck, and have the cleft of
the mouth in the form of a curve. The palate and jaws are well supplied
with teeth, but no fangs are produced. The subcaudal plates are two-rowed.
COEOIJEIjL-A..
Coronella, sp., Laurenti.
Body cylindrical, not compressed, stout ; head of moderate length,
rather flat, and distinct from neck, with the snout rounded ; tail of moder-
ate length ; eye moderately large, with round pupU. Rostral shield of
normal size and form ; two pairs of frontals ; nostril between two nasals ;
one loreal, one anterior, and two or three posterior oculars. Scales smooth,
in seventeen to twenty-three rows ; subcaudals two-rowed. Posterior
maxillary tooth longest, and in a continuous series Avitli the anterior one.
2Q AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
Australian Ground Snake, Coronella australis.
Coronella australis, Onthr., Cat. of Coluhr. Snakes, p. 40.
Scales in 17 rows ; abdominal plates ? two anal plates ; subcaudal
plates in two series ? total length, 27^ inches ; head, f inch ; tail, 5 inches.
Above uniform olive, with a few black specks ; beneath uniform
whitish. Longer maxillary tooth not channeled. Body moderate, tail
moderate, thin, distinct from trunk ; head rather broad and obtuse ; shields
of crown regular, proportionate ; two nasals, one loreal, one anteorbital,
raised on the surface of the head, but not reaching the vertical ; two
posterior oculars ; eight upper labials, fourth and fifth narrow and coming
into the orbit ; one front temporal shield in contact with both postoculars ;
two others behind; first pair of lower labials forming a suture behind
the terminal one. Scales moderate, rounded behind, in seventeen rows ;
anal bifid. Above nearly uniform olive, some scales with black ti^js or black
tips and black edged; beneath uniformly yellowish. Longer maxillary
teeth, not grooved, in a continuous row with the anterior ones. The
typical specimen in the British Museum is described as above. The
habitat given is " Australia," probably the far North ; the snake must be
very rare, as no other specimens have been discovered.
TEOPIIDOlvrOTTJS, KuH.
Body cylindrical ; head distinct from neck, flat ; cleft of mouth
wide ; eye of moderate size, or rather large, with round pupU ; nostril
lateral, between two plates. Shields of the head regular ; loreal always
present. Scales keeled ; ventrals rounded, considerably less than 200 in
number ; anal bifid ; subcaudals two-rowed. Teeth numerous on the jaw
and on the palate ; the anterior in the jaws are always shortest ; the
posterior lengthened, but not grooved.
Australian Tropidonotus or Fresh Water Snake. Tropldonotm
picturatus.
(Plate V, figg. 8 and 8a.)
Tropidonotus picturatus, Sclileg. Ess., t. 12 , f. 8, 9 ; Giinther, Cat. Coluhr. Snakes, p. 71.
Scales in 15 rows ; abdominals, 157 to 160 ; two anal plates ; sub-
caudals, 74/74 ; total length, 2 to 3 feet.
Eight upper labials, the fourth and fifth touching the eye ; one
anterior, three posterior oculars.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 21
Ventral and sub-candal plates margined with dark grey in some
specimens ; the back sometimes more or less marked with darker scales,
forming a series of reticulated loops ; these markings occur in grey-colored
subjects ; in those of a brown color the marks are not visible.
The Australian Fresh-water Snake diifers much at various seasons,
and is either grey or of a rich brown color vrith salmon-tinted abdominal
plates, which on the sides are generally red spotted ; there are fifteen rows
of scales upon the back, each furnished with a raised keel, whilst the
venomous Tropideclds, which resembles the harmless fresh- water snake, has
more than twenty rows of very narrow elongate keeled scales on its body.
Port Essington and North-west Australia are given (by Giinther)
as the habitat of this snake, its most southern limit being, in all probability,
the Clarence River. The Museum is in possession of specimens from
almost every part of Eastern Australia north of the Clarence ; and my
excellent colleague, Mr. George Masters, informs me that, just at dusk,
large nimibers of these snakes were observed at lagoons or waterholes
where he was encamped, not long ago, in the Wide Bay District ; he never
noticed them, however, during the middle of the day.
FAMILY OF TRUE FRESH-WATER ^l^kl^^-SOMALOPSIDyE.
Body moderate, cylindrical or slightly compressed ; head rather thick,
broad, and not very distinct from neck ; tail strong, of moderate length,
tapering, more or less prehensile and compressed at its root, especially in
the males. Ventral plates narrow, those beneath the tail two-rowed ; eye
small. The nostrils are situated anteriorly on the upper surface of the head,
small, and provided with a valvule. Dr. Giinther, from whose writings
the above is abridged, mentions, with regard to the habits of these
reptiles (which are not met with except in the far north of Tropical Aus-
tralia), that they are thoroughly aquatic, and only occasionally found on the
beach. In their organization they approach the true marine snakes, and are
easily recognizable by the position of the nostrils on top of the snout,
which enable them to breathe by raising a small part of the head out
of water. The same arrangement is common to crocodiles, sea-snakes,
and other aquatic animals. Many have a distinct prehensile tail, by
22 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
means of which they hold on to projecting objects. Their food consists
entirely of fish, and a few species use Crustacea also. All of them appear
to be viviparous, and perform the act of parturition in the water. They
do not grow to any considerable size, are of gentle disposition, and their bite
is by no means dangerous. They do not feed in captivity, and therefore
die after a short time.
CEEBEEUS, Cavier.
Head rather high, of moderate length and width ; body cylindrical,
its hinder part and the tail rather compressed. Cleft of the mouth wide,
turned upwards behind ; eye, small, with vertical pupil ; snout covered
with shields, occiput with scales ; nostrU situated on the upper side of the
head, between two nasals, the anterior of which is the larger, forming a
suture with the corresponding nasal of the other side ; two small triangular
anterior frontals ; eye surrounded by a ring of small orbitals, the super-
ciliary being weU developed ; posterior upper labials divided transversely
into two. Scales keeled, in from twenty-one to twenty-five rows ; ventrals
of moderate width ; anal bifid ; subcaudals two-rowed. Maxillary teeth
in a continuous series, slightly increasing in length posteriorly, the last being
grooved. Mandibulary teeth, longest in front, decreasing in strength and
more closely set behind. Viviparous.
Australian Bockadam. Cerberus australis.
Cerberus australis. Oi-ay, Cat. of Snakes in B. M., p. 65.
Slate-black in spirits ; under lip and beneath white ; throat with two
oblong black streaks ; under side with two series of large, square, black
spots, united by a rather broad black central streak ; tail, black beneath.
The generic and specific characters are taken from Giinther's and
Gray's works. There are no specimens of this snake in the Museum
collection. The North Coast of New Holland and Port Essington are
given as the habitat of this reptile.
MilTEOIT, Gray.
The characters which distinguish this genus appear to be the same
as those of '^Cerberus."
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 23
Richardson's Water Snake. Myron richardsonii.
Myron richardsonii. 0-rai/, Cat. of Snakes in. Col. B. M., p. 70.
Scales keeled, black with alternate olive and many black cross bands ;
sides white spotted ; beneath white ventral shields dark edged with dusky
central longitudinal streaks. A single reptile in the British Museum,
obtained by Sii' John Richardson on the North-west Coast of Australia.
FAMILY OF DAY TREE mkHYE-DENBBOFBID^.
This group of reptiles, like other non-venomous snakes, has few
representatives in Australia ; two species only have been discovered. They
live in trees, and feed on frogs, lizards, young birds, and probably birds'
eggs. The scales on the sides are generally narrow, with a row of larger
scales on the back ; the ventral plates have a sharp keel on each side,
enabling the animal to climb with great facility, Australian Tree Snakes
have teeth of equal size, the last tooth being the strongest of the series.
DEM'DEOPHIS, Boie.
Body and tail very elongate, slender, compressed ; head rather
depressed, oblong, with the snout obtusely rounded in front. Eye rather
large, with round pupil ; nostril lateral, between two nasals ; shields of
the head regular ; scales smooth in Australian specimens, in thirteen rows,
and those of the vertebral series more or less enlarged ; the other scales
very imbricate and elongate, narrow, and quadrilateral; ventral shields
keeled ; anal bifid ; posterior maxillary teeth not enlarged or grooved.
Green Tree Snake. I>endroj)his inmiclulata.
(Plates IV and V, figs. 6, 6a.)
Dendrophis punctulata. Gray, Gthr's. Cat. of Cohibr. Snakes, B. M., p. 1-19.
Scales in 12 or 13 rows.
Abdominals, 207 or more.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals, 106/106 or more.
Total length, 5 to 6 feet.
Head, \\ inch.
Tail, 11 inches.
24 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
Habit moderately elongate and slender, belly flat, sbarply keeled on
the edges of the ventral scales ; some portions of the skin between the scales
white, others black, as may be best observed when the snake is angry,
or, in preserved specimens, by stretching the skin. Olive-green, more or
less briglit above, beneath yellow, sides and chin of the same colour. The
intensity of coloration depends a good deal upon circumstances. Gliding
along the ground between tufts of grass in the sunshine, or swinging
from branch to branch in lofty trees, the color of this snake appears to be
dependent upon the surrounding foliage, as specimens in captivity never
look so brilliant. The periodical change of the skin has also a good
deal to do with the brightness of the snake's coat ; and a few days before
the skin is cast, all the lively hues have vanished, and a dull olive-brown is
the prevailing color.
Young and half-grown Tree Snakes are olive-green above and
light-brown below ; if yellow tints are present, they appear near the
neck and lower jaw. The eye is rather large, the gape curved, and the
teeth small and of equal length. There is a row of scales running along
the back much larger than the side scales, and polygonal in form ; the
outer rows are elongated, narrow, quadrilateral, and very imbricated;
head shields regular; one anterior and two posterior oculars, and one
loreal — a scale not often observed in venomous species. When angry, the
body of this serpent expands in a vertical direction, whUst aU venomous
snakes flatten their necks horizontally. The Green Tree Snake, in a state of
excitement, is strongly suggestive of one of the popular toys of childhood,
by the peculiar white marks which become visible when its skin is distended.
Australian Tree Snakes are harmless creatures, and seldom offer to
bite, even when handled ; they live on frogs, lizards, young birds, and
perhaps on insects and eggs also; they are probably oviparous; their
length seldom, if ever, exceeds six feet.
The geographical range of the present species appears to be very
wide, and the whole of Australia, except the southern portions of Victoria,
may be considered its habitat. No specimens have as yet been captured
in South or South-western Australia ; the snake may exist there, however,
but it is doubtful whether D. imnctulata is found in the Phillipine Islands,
or in Ceylon, from which localities specimens are on record in the British
Museum Catalogue.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 25
NouTHERN Tree Snake. Dendrophis calligastra.
Dendrophis calligastra, Oiinther, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 20 (Third Series),
p. 53.
Scales iu 13 rows.
Abdominals, 179.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals ?
Total length, 36 inches.
Tail, 12 inches.
No loreal shield ; eight upper labials, the fourth and fifth entering
the orbit ; one anterior and two posterior oculars ; temporal scales, 1 + 2
4- 2 ; abdominal shields strongly keeled, some of the scales with a single
terminal pore ; greenish brown above, sides of the head and neck yellow ;
a black band across the rostral shield through the eye to the side of the
neck ; belly purplish yellow, powdered with purplish brown.
Habitat, Cape York.
FAMILY OF NIGHT TREE SNAKES--DJP»S'4-D/-Z)^.
The Nocturnal Tree Snakes inhabit Asia and the islands of the
Indian Archipelago, as well as Africa, America, and Australia.
India, which is their stronghold, produces ten species, Africa a
few, and America and Australia one kind each. The islands in the neigli-
bourhood of New Guinea are inhabited by another species which is closely
allied to our Australian I>lj)sa8 fusca.
DIPSAS.
Dipsas, auct.
Body and tail much elongate and compressed ; head depressed,
triangular, short, broad behind, very distinct from neck ; snout short ;
eye rather large, with vertical pupil ; nostril between two nasals ; shields
of the head regular ; loreal present ; scales smooth, more or less narrow
on the sides, those of the vertebral series dilated ; anal entire ; subcaudals
two-rowed ; posterior maxUlary tooth grooved.
H
2f6 AFSTEALIAN SNAKES.
Brown Tree Snake. Dipas fusca.
(Plate V, figs. 7, 7a.)
Dipsas fusca, Gray, Gunther's, Cat. of Snakes in Col. Brit. Mus., p. 171. ,
Triglyphodon flavescens, Bum. and Bibr., p. 1080.
Scales in 19 rows.
Anal entire.
Abdominals, 236.
Subcaudals, 87/87.
Total length, 6 to 7 feet.
Head, l^inch.
Tail, 13 inches.
Form slender ; body and tail compressed and elongate ; head much
depressed, triangular, broad behind, and very distinct from neck ; scales on
the vertebral line much larger, regularly six-sided, vertical shield broad,
occipitals obtuse behind, one loreal ; eight upper labials, the third and
fourth and sometimes the iifth touching the orbit ; one anterior two pos-
terior oculars ; eye large, pupil elliptical ; nostril moderate, between two
shields ; posterior maxillary teeth longest and grooved.
Above, light or reddish brown, with numerous black, rather obHque,
and sometimes obsolete, cross bands ; belly uniformly salmon-colored.
This species has not been so much noticed in the neighbour-
hood of Sydney as the Green Tree Snake, but this may be owing to its
nocturnal habits ; it is found along the East Coast, and ranges as far as
Port Essington ; individuals, observed in captivity, appeared very gentle in
disposition, and could be freely handled without showing any inclination
to bite ; they passed the day coiled up amongst the branches of trees, but
became very active at night, noiselessly gliding through the foliage in
search of their prey, wliich, as with the Green Ti-ee Snake, consists of birds,
birds' eggs, insects, frogs, lizards, and the smaller mammalia.
Giinther states that all Indian Dipsades live on warm-blooded
animals, some preying on birds, some on mammals only ; it must be sup-
posed, however, that when young they feed on frogs and lizards also.
In this reptile the posterior maxillary tooth is grooved, but its bite
is not the least dangerous.
AUSTEALTAN SNAKES. 27
FAMILY OF ROCK S^AKY.S-FYTIIONII>.R
The Australian Rock Snakes are ratlaer more numerous in genera
than other non-venomous tribes inhabiting this country, and, excepting the
Boli/evia multicar'mata* six more or less distinct species of them have been
observed.
The largest snakes belong to this family, and individuals of great
length occur, some measuring as much as ten feet, and perhaps more.
The body is muscular, more or less compressed in young individuals ;
tail prehensile, with a pair of spurs representing rudimentary limbs at its
root, which are often hidden beneath the scales. The head is elongate,
flat, and covered with many irregular small plates ; if any regular
plates are present, they never reach further than to between the eyes. The
scales are smooth, and the rows they form around the body far more
numerous than in any other tribe of Ophidians inhabiting Australia, so
that by the large number of scales alone their harmless nature may be
ascertained. The pupil is vertical, but dilates at night or in the dark ; in
fact, all our Pythons are Night Snakes, and when observed in the day-time
moving about it is generally because they have been disturbed. The teeth
are numerous in both jaws ; they feed on the smaller mammals, birds, &c.,
which they kill by pressure ; they lay eggs, and incubate them.
Pythons are found on the Indian Continent and the islands of the
Archipelago, in Africa and Australia. The American Boas form a different
family.
The way in which these snakes attack their prey is very simple.
CoUed on the branch of a tree, the reptile moves only the head and part of
the body, advancing and retreating — in fact, measuring its distance with
head and neck bent into the form of a horizontal S. When pretty sure of
its aim, the snake darts forward with open jaws, fastens upon the victim,
and in an instant brings it within a loop formed by a portion of the body,
which gradually tightens tiU the prey is suffocated. In this position the
snake will remain for twenty minutes or half an hour, holding the body of
the animal tightly ; it then gradually uncoils, and, if inclined to feed,
begins the process of swallowing with the head.
* 'I'his species is mentioned erroneously as inhabiting the neighboiu'hood of Port Jackson.
28 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
The great quantity of saliva discliarged by the snake over the body
of the quarry preparatory to swallowing it, as described by other writers,
has not been noticed in the case of our Rock Snakes — the Diamond and
the Carpet Snake. Yet, when a carcass just devoured by one of them is,
for some reason or other, disgorged, it is occasionally found covered with
mucus e\'idently apj)lied to it in its passage downwards. These rejected
bodies are likewise found to be stretched to an extraordinary degree by
the continual workings of the powerful muscles of the snake while
engaged in the swallowing process.
Rock Snakes attain a great age, but cease to grow after a certain
period. A Python eleven feet long would be about four years old
{Vide Bibron's Observations on the yovmg Pythons in the Garden of
Plants at Paris), and they grow much quicker in the first period of life
than afterwards. The males remain smaller than the females. These
facts, stated by authorities like Giinther and Bibron, are borne out l)y
observations made on Australian Bock Snakes, which, when born, are less
than half the size of young Indian Pythons ; and a Diamond or Carpet
Snake which measures above 10 feet in length may be more than twenty
years old. Though little or no addition to the length of these large
snakes is observed, it is most likely that they increase in girth. It has
already been mentioned that Bock Snakes lay eggs, which the mother
incubates ; and, that Australian Bock Snakes are no exception to this rule,
is proved by Mr. W. AUan, of Kimbriki, on the Manning Biver, who a
few years ago presented to this Museum a drawing of a heap of eggs of
the Diamond or Carpet Snake, neatly piled up in a sort of nest of dry
grass which was found in a hollow branch or log. Gunther mentions
that a pair of Pythons copulated in January and February, the female
producing fifteen eggs, the size of goose eggs, in May ; and that having
collected them in a conical heap, she entirely covered them by coiling
herseK round them spirally till her head rested in the centre on the top
of the cone. In this position she remained till the 3rd of July, when eight
of the CEfffs were hatched. Similar facts have been noticed in reference
to another species from Africa ; and, though Mr. Allan who made the
observation did not actually see the snake upon the eggs that he found, it
may be faMy concluded that Australian Pythons do not differ in this
respect from their congenera in Asia and Africa.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 29
Dr. Giiiither observed an increase of temperature between the coils
of the snakes incubating in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of
London ; and he draws the conclusion that a higher degree of warmth is
necessary for the development of embryonic Pythons than for other snakes.
MTOEBLI-A., Gray.
Head shields small, scale-like ; frontal plates distinct, three pairs ;
vertical plate small ; rostral shield single, with a pit on each side ; three
front upper, and the hinder lower labials pitted ; nostrils lateral, in a single
plate, with a groove beneath ; eyes lateral, pupil elliptical, erect ; scales,
small, smooth ; subcaudals two-rowed.
Diamond Snake. Morelia spilotes.
(Plates I and V, figs. 1, 2.)
Morelia spilotes, Gray. Cat. of the Specimens of Snakes in Col. Brit. Mus., p. 85.
Scales in 47 rows.
Abdominals, 276.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals, 80/80.
Total length, 8 to 10 feet.
Head, 4 inches.
Tail, 15 inches.
One of the characteristics by which harmless Hock Snakes may be
at once distinguished from poisonous serpents, is the large number of
scales covering their body ; at present but one venomous species is known
to have as many as twenty-six rows of scales, whilst Pythons or Kock
Snakes have double that number.
The Diamond Snake has the body scales in 47 rows, with about
276 to 300 ventral plates, and the scales under the tail divided into
80/80 or 90/90 or more. The subcaudal plates vary in almost every
individual, as the much-used prehensile tail is liable to be injiired or
broken, and is not in the latter case reproduced like the tail of lizards.
The general colour of the Diamoiid Snake is a kind of bluish-black, very
glossy when the skin is fresh, and the epidermis lately shed, but becoming
duller after the wear and tear of a few months, and quite opaque just
before the skin-shedding process begins. As a rule. Diamond Snakes
30 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
have almost every scale of the hody marked with a yellow spot in the
centre, and often a somewhat indistinct, and frequently interrupted, yellow
streak on each side. The abdominal plates are yellow, more or less
blotched with black ; and many species occur which have a number of
diamond-shaped yellow spots upon the body, formed by a few of the
lighter scales, and hence their name has probably arisen.* The head is
covered with a number of irregular small scales, which are also more or
less marked with yellow, and the last seven scales of the lower jaw forming
the line of the mouth are deeply pitted. By these grooved or hollowed
scales the harmless character of the reptile may be at once ascertained,
as not one of our venomous species has scales so marked. The line of
the mouth— the " gape" — is straight, as in venomous subjects ; but the
deep indentions which mark the last lower labial scales, the small irregular
head shields, the numerous body scales, the prehensile tail, and the
rudimentary limlis or spurs near the anus, can leave no doubt on the minds
of persons who know these facts as to what kind of reptile they have to
deal with shovild they be wounded by a Diamond Snake.
It must not be overlooked, however, that in Tasmania a highly
venomous species [Koplocephalus superhus) has also received the name of
"Diamond Snake;" and it is often the case that persons who have for some
time resided in Tasmania describe " Diamond Snakes" indiscriminately
as highly venomous. To make a work of the present kind useful to all,
co-operation is necessary ; and as a good sound English name is prefixed
to every species, it is to be hoped that such name mil, if possible, be
retained, and that Tasmanian friends will accept another designation for
the venomous " Diamond Snake" of their island, namely, — Broad-scaled
Snake [Hoplocephalus superbHs),
The range of this reptile (Jf. spUotes) is restricted to a very limited
area of country, it being found in no other part of Australia than from Port
Macquarie to Jervis Bay or perhaps Cape Howe, and from the coast to
the western slopes of the Blue Mountains and the Liverpool Range. In
the plains watered by the Lachlan, the Murray, and the Murrumbidgee,
this species is not found, the Carpet Snake (Morelia variegata) there
taking its place.
* A verj fine Diamond Suatp, witli the yellow spots very large, and with numerous regular cross bands,
lias been received at the Museum from Brisbane Water ; it measures 8 feet 6 inches in length.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 31
The Diamond Snake is common in the county of Cumberland, in
the Bkio Mountains, and in the Illawari-a district ; though a harmless
creature, when it is irritated its bite is severe; and though strictly noc-
turnal, individuals are sometimes met with during the day-time, either
basking in the sun and digesting their food, or in search of a place
of shelter when they have been disturbed. Like the other members of
the family Fyllionidce, they prey upon birds and the smaller mammals ;
young individuals feed upon insects, frogs, or birds' eggs ; in January
or December the female deposits thu'ty eggs or more, which she incubates.
Diamond Snakes are found in almost every kind of country that
offers them sufficient shelter. They prefer open stony ridges, studded with
low trees, and well supj)lied with water ; but frequent the edges of swamps
and lagoons, where they find a good supply of Water Rats {Hydromys),
besides young ducks, and other water-fowl ; they also often visit the hen-
roosts of the farmer, or surprise the smaller mammals upon the branches
of trees.
The largest specimen captured near Sydney, correctly measured,
without being stretched, was 10 feet 3 inches long ; individuals of 11 feet
or more in length occur no doubt, but they are very rare indeed, and have
never been preserved in collections.
In a state of nature they never touch any food except living animals.
Once, however, a Diamond Snake, which was kept in a cage, swallowed a
rat which had been killed by a Brown-banded snake {HoplocepJialus curtus).
The species under review are greatly infested by various kinds of
intestinal worms, including a tape- worm, clusters of which have frequently
been taken from their stomachs.
Caepet Snake. Morelia variegata.
(Plate II.)
Morelia variegata, Orat/, Cat. of Spec, of Snakes in Col. B. M., p. 86.
Whether the Carpet Snake is only a variety of the former species,
or whether it deserves to be classed as a separate kind, has not been
satisfactorily proved; and as both snakes are totally distinct in color, and
very restricted in their habitat, it will perhaps be better to speak of them
here as two species.
The general structure of the scales of the head and body is precisely
alike in both reptiles, but they vary much in coloration.
32 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
We have noticed before, that the Diamond Snake is of a glossy
black, with a bright yellow spot in the centre of almost every scale, and
with belly-plates of bright yellow, clouded with black.
The Carpet Snake is uniformly greenish-brown, with darker irregular
spots, enclosed by a still darker margin of about a scale wide, covering
the body from the head to the root of the tail. The belly is pale straw
colored, and the plates often spotted or margined with a neutral tint.
There is much variety in the marking of different individuals, but the
greater number have a pale, and sometimes interrupted and darker bordered
streak on each side of the body, running from the neck to the vent.
The ground color iu old snakes is much darker than in young ones.
Spirit specimens frequently turn quite white, the blotches appearing
dark grey, or pale black.
If the Carpet and Diamond Snake are really one and the same
species, it is very curious to notice that tliey have so very defined a habitat.
It was mentioned before, that Diamond Snakes were only found in a very
limited district on the New South Wales coast, whilst Carpet Snakes
occur in every other part of Australia except the said district, and in
Southern Victoria.
In their movements, and the way in which they obtain, kill, and
devour their food, both species are so precisely similar, that further remarks
on these particulars are unnecessary. With regard to their size, there is
reason to believe that Carpet Snakes attain even larger growth than
Diamond Snakes, and the Museum has lately received from Capt. Harley,
of the steamer "Havilah," a very fine specimen measuring 8 feet in length.
This snake was taken at Cleveland Bay, and is of the same size as the
monster Diamond Snake captured near the Point Piper Road, in the most
fashionable suburb of Sydney, by Capt. Stackhouse, E-.N., in July, 1868.
It is possible that many larger snakes have been killed, but they
are generally measured by the eye only, and we all know how apt one is
to exaggerate the size of such quarry ; there is nothing so good as a tape-
line, if truth is to be ascertained ; but people do not generally care to be
very particular, and after relating snake stories for years they make the
size of the reptile increase as their story grows old.
AIJSTEALIAN SNAKES. 33
^SPIDIOTES, Kreffl.
Crown covered with broad shields, reaching behind the eyes ; the
remaining part of the head scaly ; labial shields without pits, the front
ones high and narrow, the hinder ones loAver and broad. Nostrils lateral,
in the middle of a plate ; two loreals ; two anterior and four posterior
oculars ; superciliaries broad, rather prominent above the eye ; nasal shield
very large, much produced backwards, and deeply grooved on its lower
edge. Scales smooth, in fifty-two series on the middle of the body ;
ventral plates rather narrow ; subcavidals entire, except the last ten or
twelve which are divided. Tail conical, prehensile, ending in a blunt
point. Head rather high, of moderate size ; teeth not very large (smaller
than in Morelia). Body thick and compressed.
Black-headeb Snake. Aspidiotes melanocephahis.
(Plate III and Plate V, fig. 4.)
Aspidiotes melanocephalus, Krefft. Proc. Zool. Soc, July 2Sth, 1864.
Scales in 52 rows.
Abdominals, 330.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals, Slff-
Total length, 8 feet or more.
Head, 3 inches.
Tail, 12 inches.
Head rather high ; body thick and comj)ressed ; tail conical, taper-
ing, prehensile, ending in a blunt point ; anal spurs small ; ten upper
labials, the sixth coming mto the orbit ; two anterior and four posterior
ocular shields ; two loreals, the second nearest to the eye very small ; one
nasal, pierced by the nostril ; eye moderate, pupil elliptical, erect. Three
pairs of frontal shields, the middle pair longest ; vertical broad, the largest
shield of the head, with an obtuse angle in front and an acute one behind ;
sides rounded ; superciliaries large, and prominent above the eyes ; occipitals
distinct, but smaller than the vertical ones, and forked and rounded behind;
the first pair of frontals small, and triangular ; the second pair five-sided,
and nearly as large again as the first ; the third smaller than the second
larger than the first, and quadrangular. Of the fourteen lower labial shields,
the first seven are narrow and elongate, the rest broad ; no groove upon
I
34 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
the labials. The nasal shield is very broad, with a deep pit, shaped like a
bean, and much produced backwards. Head moderate; body thick,
compressed ; anal spurs small. Color light brown, with a series of
darker rings, which become indistinct near the sides; below yellowish-
white here and there, with a few dark blotches ; head and neck jet-black
above and below. Total length, 7' 10".
This reptile is probably as large, if not larger, than the Rock Snakes
of New South Wales, but at present little or nothing is known about it.
The first specimen which the Museum received was captured by Mr. Rain-
bird, the well-known collector at Port Denison ; it was met with subse-
quently on the Burdekin, at Cleveland Bay, and Cape York.
It may be distinguished at once by the jet-black head and neck.
The scales are smaller than those of the Diamond or Carpet Snake, in
fifty-two rows, and the belly plates very narrow, more than 300 from neck
to vent. Northern settlers will bear in mind that venomous snakes have
generally from fifteen to twenty-six rows of scales only, so that by
counting the number of scales the harmless nature of some snakes may
be ascertained.
LI^SIS, Grmj.
Head scaly, with symmetrical shields on the muzzle to between the
eyes : vertical plate single ; nostrils lateral, in a single shield, with a
groove behind ; eyes lateral ; pupil oblong, erect ; upper and lower labial
shields pitted ; scales smooth ; subcaudal plates two-rowed.
Children's Rock Snake. Licms childrenii.
Liasis childrenii, Gray, Gat. of Snakes in Col. B. M., p. 92.
There are but few Australian snakes not represented in the Sydney
Museum, and this species is one of them. It has the first three or four of
the upper lip-shields pitted, and four of the plates on the lower jaw (those
preceding the last three) indented in the same manner.
In Dr. J. E. Gray's Catalogue of Snakes the color is described as
purplish brown ; back with a central series of oblong, transverse, dark
spots ; sides with two series of roundish black spots, beneath white ; upper
lip with a dark streak to the angle of the mouth.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 35
The senus Liasis is distributed over some of the islands of the
Arafura Sea, as Timor, and the Aru Group ; a species also inhabits New
Ireland (Liasis amethystinKsJ, which is figured at Plate V, figs. 5 and
ha, so as to give some idea of the character of this reptile, there being
no Australian species in the Museum collection.*
Olive-green Rock Snake. Liasis olivacea.
Liasis olivacea, Grai/, Cat. of Snakes in Col. B. M., p. 92.
A second Rock Snake of the genus Liasis occurs near Port Essington,
and on Sir Charles Hardy's Island, of which Dr. Gray gives the following
brief description : —
" One preocular and three postocular shields ; rostral not pitted ;
the first pair of upper labials with a small pit on the outer upper edge ;
the four or five liinder pair of the lower, preceding the three last, pitted.
Pale olive-green (in spirits) ; upper lip and beneath pale yellowish ;
occiput scaly, with one pair of larger shields."
SfA.'BJDOA., Gray.
Head sealy ; muzzle regularly shielded to between the eyes ; nostrils
lateral, in a single plate; eyes lateral; pupil elliptical, erect; upper
labial shields flat ; hinder lower labials pitted ; scales smooth ; subcaudal
plates two-rowed.
Gilbert's Rock Snake. Nardoa gilbertii.
(Plate V, figs. 3, 3a.)
Nardoa gilbertii, Chay, Cat. of Spec, of Snakes in Col. B. M.,2>. 93.
Scales, 52 rows.
Abdominal plates, 330.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals, 51it.
Total length, 42 inches.
Head, 1:^ inch.
Tail, 4 inches.
* The Trustees are since indebted to Capt. M'Gregor, of the yacht " Chance," for a splendid collection of
New Ireland Reptiles, among which is a large Liasis ainethystinus.
3& AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
" Pale (in spirits). Back with five longitudinal series of dark olive
spots, which are more or less confluent, forming cross bands, closer
together on the hinder part of the body, appearing olive with irregular
whitish lines ; head with a black streak above the lip, through the eye, to
the side of the neck ; head-shields brown, with a black spot ; loreal shield
square ; anterior ocular large ; posterior oculars 3, small ; interloreal
scales 2, small. The front of the body has a narrow longitudinal streak
on each side, between the spots." — Gray's Description of the Brit. Miis.
Specimens.
The few specimens in the Museum collection are the gift of
William Macleay, Esq., F.L.S., who obtained them from Port Denison.
The general form is shorter and thicker than the Rock Snakes treated of
before, and iu all probability the size of old individuals does not exceed 5 or
() feet. The ground color is a pale olive or brown, with five rows of irregvdar
brown or black spots from the head to the tip of the tail, beneath it is pale
straw yellow. The head is regularly shielded to between the eyes, and
three of the hinder shields and the lower lip are pitted. The tail is very
short, the plates and the under side of it forming partly two rows, with a
dark central streak from the vent to the tip. Head- shields with a few
black spots and margins ; eye of moderate size, with elliptical and erect
pupil ; a dark streak runs from behind the eye to the nostril. About the
habitat of this reptile little is known, beyond the donor's statement that
it was obtained at Port Denison.*
* Captain Edwards, of the schooner " Melania" (who has always been a liberal donor to the Museum),
obtained a species of Nardoa on Sweer's Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Tliis snake differs from N. gilbertii
in having a shorter and thicker head, a more elongate vertical sliield, and the last pair of frontals largest ; the
color is a dull olive-brown, the dark spots very indistinct, and not confluent posteriorly ; no black marks can be
traced on the head, except the temporal streak behind the eye.
Captain Edwards has promised to supply the Trustees with more specimens, when the question whether
this snake ia new or not will be decided.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 37-
SEC0:ND SUBORDEIi.
VENOMOUS COLUBRINE SNAIvES.
(OPHIDII COLUBRIFORMES VENENOSI.)
Snakes with an erect immovable grooved or perforated fang in front
of the maxillary".
Two families inhabit Australia —
1. Elapidje ... ... ... ... Tail conical, tapering.
2. Hydeophid^ . . . ... ... ... Tail strongly compressed, paddle-shaped.
• FA^IILY OF YLAFIBES-IJLAPID^K
Body cylindrical or subcylindrical, tail rather short, tapering ;
head with the normal number of shields above ; no loreal, except in one
species ; eye not very large, pupil rounded or elliptical. The venom fang
shows a distinct groove along its front, and the interior canal terminates
in a slit at the extremity.
The snakes of this family inhabit all the tropical regions, but
principally Australia, the island of Tasmania being their most southern
limit.
Some of these reptiles, such as the deadly Brown-banded Snake
{Roplocephalus ctirtus), the Broad-scaled Snake {Hoplocephalus superbus),
and the Black Snake {Fsemlechisporphyriacus), have the power to dilate the
skin in the neck, and are related to the Cobras of India; others, such as the
Black-and-white-ringed Snake {Vermicella occipitalis), are allied to South
American genera. We shall not attempt to make any subdivision, but
enumerate the various species according to Gimther's Catalogue of Snakes
in the British Museum, including the Death Adder in this family.
38 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
DIBl*a:BlsrijaL,* Ch-ay.
Body and tail moderate or slender, rounded ; head high, quadran-
gular, with rather short rounded muzzle ; rostral moderate, vertical,
narrow; no loreal, which is replaced by the conjunction of posterior
frontal (bent down on the sides), of anterior ocular, of second (triangular)
upper labial, and of posterior nasal ; one anterior, two posterior oculars ;
two nasals, nostrils between ; scales smooth, not much imbricated, in
fifteen or seventeen rows ; anal bifid ; subcaudals two-rowed ; grooved fang
in front, a series of smaller equal teeth behiud.
Schlegel's Snake. Diemenia psammophis.
Elaps psammophis, Schlegel, Ess. II, p. 45, and Abbild., t. 46, fig. 14. Pseudoelaps
psammophidius, Bum. ^ Bihr., p. 1234. Diemansia (Diemenia) psammophis, G-nthr., Cat.
of Golubr. Snakes in Col. Brit. Mus., p. 212.
Scales in 15 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominals, 223.
Subcaudals, 97/97.
Total length, 6 feet 7 inches.
Head, 1^ inch.
Tail, IG inches.
Body elongate and slender ; head shields very elongate, vertical
broad anteriorly, becoming narrow towards behind ; eye large, pupil
rounded ; preocular shield deeply grooved, also a groove on the lower
edge of the rostral shield, six upper and lower labials with a large tem-
poral shield between the two last of the upper series. General colour
brown above ; sides and abdominal plates of the anterior half of the body
bluish grey, the abdominals somewhat lighter in the centre ; all the upper
scales on this part red-edged ; the posterior part much Ughter in colour,
and the scales dimly margined with bluish grey, the marking appearing
very prominent wherever a portion of the epidermis has been removed ;
the abdominal plates assume a yellow hue, are at first powdered or clouded
with black, and become clearer towards the tail, which from the vent
to the tip is pale straw yellow. Dr. Gray's short description is as follows : —
" Habit very slender ; forehead very convex. Above nearly greenish olive ;
rostral shield without cross streak."
*Tlus is the correct spelling of the word, wliich evidently has heen derived from Van Bienien ('s Land).
Originally written Demansia by Dr. Gray, it has since been altered into Diemansia by myself (Colubr.
Snakes, p. 254), and into Diemenniaby the Editor of the Proceedings of the Zoological Society (1863). (GiMher.)
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 39
The figiu*e referred to in SchlegcVs Ahhildungen, t. 46, f. 14, repre-
sents the head of the snake generally known as Dlemenia reticitluta (Plate
XII, fig. 10). In the British Museum Catalogue the habitat of this snake
{S. psammophis) is given as Port Essington and North Australia. Our
Museum specimens were collected at Port Denison.
Spotted-headed Snake. Dlemenia olkacea.
(Plate VI, figs. 9 and 9a.)
Demansia olivacea, Grati, Zool. Mis., p. St, Demansia (Diemenia) olivacea, Gnthr., Cat.
of Coliibr. Snakes in Col. Brit. Miis., p. 212.
Dr. Gray's description is condensed thus : — " Habit moderate ;
olive green, skin between the scales black ; scales of the sides with two
white streaks at the base ; a dark streak from the back edge of the eye to
the angle of the mouth."
The reptile figured, which is in all probability identical with Gray's
typical specimen, may be described as follows : —
Scales in 15 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominal plates, 180.
Subcaudal plates, 86/85.
Total length, 44 inches.
Head, Ij inch.
Tail, 10 inches.
The general colour above is a dark olive green, or rather a rich brown
with a greenish tinge, much darker posteriorly, the tail in particular,
which towards the tip is salmon-coloured. The two white streaks at the base
of each scale, which Gray mentions, are best seen when the epidermis is
removed, or perhaps in living specimens when the skin is stretched, which
is otherwise black between the scales. There are black spots on the hinder
upper labials, which, in some specimens, may form a streak ; in young
and half-grown subjects the inner margin of the ocular shields is yellow ;
the anterior ocular being (as is usual in the members of this genus),
deeply indented. The head-shields are more or less black-spotted, but
not always very regular ; chin and neck pale yellow below, the first 8 or
10 abdominal plates sometimes with a sharply defined black margin,
which gradually becomes interrupted in the centre, and about the middle of
the body is altogether obsolete. In some examples the abdominal jjlates are
40 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
uniformly dark (ratlier bluish) grey, and much lighter anteriorly ; in others
all the plates are clouded with bluish black, occasionally formed into blotches,
and leaving irregular yellowish portions in the middle of each plate. The
body scales on back and sides are dark throughout, those only on the anterior
half of the body shewing a margin with a black dot at the tip of each scale.
The few specimens in the Museum collection present a variation in
color, sufficiently great to have warranted the creation of a new species,
but after all they are probably the same snakes which Dr. Gray had under
consideration when describing D. olivacea.
The British Museum examples are from North-east Australia and
Port Essington ; those in the Australian Museum, from Port Denison.
Gbet Snake. Diemenia reticulata.
(Plate XII, fig. 10.)
Diemenia reticulata, Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 54. G.ntkr., Cat. of Coluhr. Snakes in Col.
B. M., p. 212.
Elaps psammophis, Sclilegel, Ess. 11, p. 455, and Ahhildg., t. 46, f. 14.
Scales in 15 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominals, 177.
Subcaudals, 85/85.
Total length, 30 inches.
Head, ^ inch.
Tail, 6 inches.
The coloration is uniformly grey above and greenish below, the
central part of the ventrals being conspicuously marked with green ; tips
of scales and skin between them black ; end of tail, salmon-colored, a
yellowish dark-edged streak crossing the rostral shield. The eye is
encircled first by a black and then by a yellowish line, both ending in a
point below the orbit.
This species occm-s in nearly every part of Australia, the extreme
north and south excepted. It has been taken on the Murray and Darling,
and specimens have come to hand from Brisbane, Port Curtis, and Eock-
hampton. All these snakes differ no more from those of Sydney than
they do from each other. Much dependence cannot be placed on coloration
as a distinguishing characteristic between snakes. No two of them vary
so much from each other as does the same snake before and after shedding
its skin. The species under consideration is the most common in New
ATTSTEALIAN SNAKES. 41
South "Wales. It frequents sandy localities, feeds on insects, small frogs,
lizards, &c., and its bite causes no more irritation than the sting of a bee.
From 16 to 20 eggs are deposited by it once a year, under stones exposed
to the sun generally in the beginning of December, or perhaps earlier, as
on more than one occasion vouns? snakes were taken at the end of that
month and in the beghining of January. This reptile is generally found
from two to three feet in length. During the cold season the Grey Snake
retires beneath fiat stones exposed to the sun ; it very seldom, if ever, goes
into the ground; it is very sensitive to cold, and the least frost will
destroy it. Some times five and more of them have been found under the
same stone during the cold season.
Miller's Sxake. Diemenia miilleH.
Elaps mUlleri, Sclihg. Ess., pi. 16, f. 16, 17 ; Jilull., Z. Ind. Arch., i. 9.
Pseudoelaps mulleri, Dum. Sf Bihr., p. 123.3.
This species, which is described as " olive, with two yellow or rose-
colored streaks along the sides of head and neck," is probably a young or
half-grown D. reticulata, which frequently exhibit rose-colored streaks on
head and neck.
Brown Snake. Diemenia superciliosa.
(Plate VII, adult ; plate XI, figs. 10 and 10a, young.)
Pseudoelaps superciliosus, Fischer, Abhandlg. im Geh. der Nafur. Ill, part 107,
taf. 2, fig. 8.
Pseudoelaps sordellii, Jan, Sev. et Mag. Zool., pi. C.
Pseudoelaps kubinyi, Jan, i.e.
Diemenia annulata, Gthr., Cat. of Cohih. Snakes, p. 213.
Furina testilis, Krefft, Proc. Zool. iS'oc, 1862, p. 149.
Scales in 15 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominal plates, 228.
Subcaudals, 73/73, or more.
Total length, 5 to 6 feet.
Head, \\ inch.
Tail, 10 inches.
Body elongate and rounded ; head not very distinct from neck, high
and quadrangular ; superciliaries larger than the vertical ; occipitals ^videly
forked, rounded, broad ; rostral high, reaching to the surface of crown ;
one nasal, one anterior, two posterior oculars ; superciliaries prominent
above the eye ; anterior ocular grooved near the top ; posterior frontals
K
42 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
nrnch larger than the anterior ones, bent down on the sides, and with nasal,
anterior ocular, and second and third upper labial replacing the loreal ;
belly flat. Dark brown above, a lighter band just crossing behind the
occipitals ; side of face and chin much lighter than the other parts of the
body ; belly yellowish ; sides of ventrals and lower edge clouded with
purple grey, forming a series of irregular blotches ; each ventral with a
distinct darkish streak on its lower edge. Half-grown and sometimes
adult individuals shew traces of from seventy to seventy-five black rings,
which in the young snakes are very distinct. The following description is
applicable to young specimens up to three years old : — Muzzle light brown ;
a black triangular spot covering the region between the eyes and the
occiput, as far as the hinder margin of the occipitals — this streak is bent
down on the sides of the face, and behind this dark spot is a white narrow
streak and another broad dark band reaching down to the edge of the
labial shields ; then follows again a white streak and a second black band,
but much smaller than the previous one, and so alternately a broader
brownish and a narrow black baud to within an inch of the apical half of
the tail ; the black bands are occasionally interrupted, leaving a blank on
the other side of the body ; including these interrupted streaks, from
seventy to eighty may be counted upon body and tail— seventy-five is the
usual number. The belly, in young and half-grown individuals, is covered
with yellowish spots, which, at a more mature age, form into the black
blotches mentioned in the description of the adult. The young found on
the Lachlan and in other localities to the westward of Sydney are not
banded. Specimens from Adelaide are also without bands, colored with
black patches upon head and neck. In a few years these bands and black
spots disappear, more or less, and the adult snake is generally uniformly
broAvn ; there are some individuals on the coast, however, in which the
bands may be traced when full grown. Specimens taken on the Murray
had no bands or black marks. South Australian and other western
examples are very dark when adult, sometimes almost black, and the
abdominal plates covered with dark blotches much more intense in color
than in the N. S. Wales specimens.
The synonymy given above may be relied on. All the snakes of this
species which Jan and others describe are referable to D. superciUosa ; and
a fine series of this snake, in all stages, from the egg upwards, will prove
this to Museum visitors.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 43
The googvapliical ran^e of this species extends over almost every
part of Australia, and the collection emhraces specimens from Cape York,
Adelaide, the Murray, and other localities. When full grown, this snake
is dangerous to man ; it is diurnal, and inhahits rocky localities ; young
individuals are frequently found under stones during the cold season,
while those of a more mature age retire into the ground.
Percy Island Snake. Diemenia torquata.
(Plate Xri, figs. 11 and 11a.)
Diemenia torquata. Gnthr., Ann., and Mag. of Nat. Hist., Ser. 3, vol. IX. p. 130.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 206.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals, 84/84.
Total length, 22 inches 7 lines.
Head, 7 lines.
Tail, 6 inches.
The following description is given by Dr. Giinther: —
Scales in fifteen rows, smooth. Brownish olive, each scale with a
short white line at the basal portion of its outer margin ; skin between the
scales black ; a brownish-black streak, edged with yellow, across the
rostral shield and the loreal region, extending to the orbit. Posterior
oculars yellow ; a yellow streak edged with black from the eye to the
angle of the mouth, continued into another similar band across the neck ;
another yellowish cross-band at some distance behind the former ; the
space between the two cross-bands dark brown, the whole forming a collar.
Chin yellowish, marbled with grey ; belly shining grey, a blackish band
along the middle of the anterior half of the belly ; tail reddish olive
posteriorly.
Head flat; loreal replaced by the conjunction of four shields, as in
the typical species ; six upper labials, the third and fourth entering the
orbit ; two anterior temporals, the upper in contact with the lower post-
ocular, the lower intercalated between the fifth and sixth labials. Scales
without groove at the apex.
This snake is from Percy Island, which lies off the north-east coast
of Australia, near Broad Sound.
44 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
PSEUID013"AJ"^, Gilnther.
Body and tail moderate ; belly flat ; head high, quadrangular, not
very distinct from neck, with moderate rounded muzzle ; rostral large,
much produced backwards ; anterior frontals smaller than posterior ones ;
vertical moderate ; no loreal — replaced by the conjunction of posterior
frontal, anterior ocular, second upper labial and posterior nasal ; one
anterior, two posterior oculars ; two nasals, nostril between ; scales smooth,
not much imbricate, in seventeen rows on the back ; anal bifid ; sub-
caudals two-rowed ; anterior ribs not longer than following, rather more
slender ; grooved fang in front, a series of smaller equal teeth behind.
North Australian Banded Snake. Pseudonaja niichalis.
(Plate XII, fig. 13.)
Pseudonaja nuchalis, Gilnther, Cat. of Coliihr. Snakes in Col. Brit. Mus., p. 227.
Scales in 17 rows ; on neck, in 19 or 21 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominals ?
Subcaudals in t^vo series.
Head (cleft of mouth), 1 inch.
Tail, 12 inches.
Total length, 64 inches.
Front side of the vertical shield shorter than the longest of the
other edges ; anterior frontals with a convex edge behind, and a rather
obtuse angle in front ; brownish olive, with very broad dark cross-bands,
darkest on the neck ; cross-bands sometimes obsolete, except that on the
neck ; body and tail moderate, belly flat ; head moderate, quadrangular,
hardly distinct from neck, not depressed, with flat crown, and obtuse,
rounded muzzle of moderate length ; eye rather small ; rostral shield
much longer than broad, five-sided, so much produced backwards, as nearly
to cover entire front of muzzle, and extend between the anterior frontals, with
a right angle behind ; anterior frontals rather small, with four sides, the
hinder of which is convex ; posterior frontals moderate, bent on the sides ;
vertical moderate, five-sided, with convergent outer edges, and a right
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 45
angle behind ; occipitals rounded behind, forked ; sujierciliaries moderate,
prominent above the eye, two posterior oculars ; one anterior (in one
specimen two), deeply grooved before the eye, raised above the surface of
the crown, but not reaching the vertical; two nasals (nostra! between),
anterior one largest, bent on the front of snout ; six vipper labials, third
and fourth forming the lower edge of orbit, sixth largest, one larger,
rhomboid, temporal shield in contact with lower postorbital, some others
behind scale-like ; six lower labials, and a very small scale-like shield
behind ; first pair lower labials very long, forming a long suture
behind the medial one ; the second small, narrow, and only one-fourth of the
third ; the fourth pair very large, in one specimen six-sided, in contact
with the fifth, and with two chin-scales behind ; scales rather elongate,
rhomboidal, smooth, in seventeen rows, on the neck in nineteen or twenty -
one rows ; anal bifid ; all subcaudals two-rowed ; upper jaw with one
fang in front, separated from the following by an interval ; an elongate
series of five to six teeth behind, which are not grooved ; palatine teeth
equal; anterior teeth of lower jaw longest; brownish olive, or blackish
olive ; back of trunk, and tail, with ten to twelve very broad brown or
black cross bands, the first on the neck being darkest ; adult specimens
exhibit the bands more or less obsolete, so as to become nearly viniform,
the neck being always blackish brown, or ornamented with an angular
broAvn spot ; belly uniformly yellowish, in young individuals black-spotted.
Length of cleft of mouth 1" ; length of tail 1' ; total length 5' 4".
The above is Dr. Gllnther's original description. The habitat of this
snake i< s^iven as Noi-th-west Australia and Port Essington.
PSEUDECHIS. Waf/ler.
Body rather elongate and rounded ; tail moderate, not distinct from
trunk, tapering; head not distinct from neck, moderate, quadrangular,
with moderate rounded muzzle ; shields of crown moderate ; two nasals,
nostril between ; no loreal ; one anterior, two posterior oculars ; scales
smooth, imbricate, in seventeen rows ; anal bifid ; first subcaudals entire,
hinder ones two-rowed (exceptionally all entire). Grooved fang in front;
some smaller, ones not grooved behind.
46 AUSTRALIAN SXAKES.
Black Snake. Fsemlechis porphyriactis.
(Plate VIII and plate XI, fig. 8.)
Coluber porphyriaeus, Shaw, Zool. of N. R., p. 27, pi. 10 ; and Shaiv, General Zool, III,
p. 423, pi. 110.
Pseudechis porphyriaeus, Waaler, Si/st. Amph., p. 171, and Giinther, Cat. of Col. Snakes
in Col. B. M., p. 218.
Naja porphyriaca, Schleg., Ess., pi. 17, figs. 10, 11.
Naja australis. Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 55.
Scales in 17 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominals, 180 to 200.
Subcaiidals variable, from 50 to 60, sometimes all divided
or all entire, generally the first 10 to 20 entire, and
the remainder divided.
Total length of adult, 5 to 6 feet.
Head, 1 inch.
Tail, 6 inches.
Body elongate and rounded ; tail moderate, not distinct from trunk ;
head rather small, quadrangular, with rounded muzzle ; shields of crown
regular ; two nasals, no loreal ; one anterior and two posterior oculars ;
scales smooth, imbricate, in seventeen rows ; anal bifid ; first subcaudals
entire, hinder ones two-rowed ; in some individuals all the subcaudals are
entire. Black above, each scale of the outer series red at the base and
black at the tip ; ventral shields with black posterior margins ; muzzle
lisrht brown.
The Black Snake is the most common of all our venomous snakes ;
it frequents low marshy places, is fond of water, dives and swims well, and
subsists principally upon frogs, lizards, insects, and the smaller mammalia,
in particular the young of the Water-rat, Hydromys leucogaster. On one
occasion sixteen young of this rodent were taken out of a sj)ecimen, so
that the reptile must have plundei'ed four nests.
When irritated, the Black Snake raises about two feet of its body off
the ground, flattens out the neck like a Cobra, and then darts at its prey
or enemy. The bite of this snake is highly venomous, killing good-sized
dogs or goats within an hour.
The number of young brought forth in March generally amounts
to 15 or 20. During the winter the reptile retires into the ground.
ATJSTEALIAN SNAKES. 47
There was a rumour at one time that the sexes were different in
coloration, but this is not the case, as the large series of specimens in the
collection of the Australian Museum sufficiently proves. It inhabits
nearly every part of Australia, but is not found in Tasmania ; the reptile
known under the name of " Black Snake" in that island is a dark variety
of the Hoplocephalus curtus or Brown-banded Snake, and identical with
Hoplocephalus fuscus (Steindachner), lately described by that well-known
Austrian naturalist as a new species.
The present reptile grows to a considerable size, but seldom, if ever,
exceeds six feet in length.
Orange-bellied Beown Snake. Pseudechls australis.
(Plate VI, figs. H and 11a.)
Naja australis, Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 55.
Pseudechis australis, Giinther, Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., 3rd Series, vol. XII, p. 362.
Scales in 17 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominals, 199.
Subcaudals, 31|.
Head, 1^ inch.
Tail, 10 inches.
Total length, about 3 feet 6 inches.
This species is considered to be a variety of the Black Snake, and
for such it has generally been taken by the few observers who have seen it
in a state of nature. Dr. Gray's description of " light brown above and
yellowish below" answers perfectly to preserved specimens, but when
alive the colors differ more or less.
The back and sides are of a bright copper color, the outer row of
scales having a rich orange spot in the centre of each scale ; the abdominal
plates are of deep yellow or orange, each jilate having a darker margin,
and its sides red or orange spotted. The general structure of the scales,
shape of the head, and distribution of colors, is exactly as in the Black
Snake. The nine principal head-shields cover a slightly larger space than
those of the Pseudechis porphyriacus, and the vertical shield has a different
shape, the anterior margin being broader than the posterior one, which
is the reverse in the Black Snake. Comparing the heads of both species,
we find that of P. austi'alis flatter and larger.
48 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
The geographical distribution of this species appears to be restricted
to the eastern districts ; specimens were obtained in 1857 on the Murray
River, and the single example in the Museum collection is a present from
Wm. Macleay, Esq., F.L.S., who received it from Port Denison.
BE^CHIirSOn^^ Giinther.
Body and tail moderate, rounded ; head depressed, with flat crown
and broad muzzle, obtuse in front ; posterior frontal replacing the loreal,
in contact with two labials ; one anterior, two posterior oculars ; one or
two nasals. Scales smooth, short, large, in fifteen or seventeen rows;
anal bifid ; subcaudals two-rowed. Grooved fang in front ; a series of
smaller equal teeth behind.
Scarlet-spotted Snake. Brachysoma diadema.
(Plate XII, fig. 12.)
Calamaria diadema, Schleg. Ess., II, p. 35.
Elaps ornata, Gray, Zool. Ilisc, p. 55.
Brachysoma diadema, FUz., Syst. Sept., p. 25.
Eurina diadema, Bum. Sf Bihr., p. 1239.
Eabdion ocoipitale, Girard, U.S., Explor. Exp. Sept., p. 120.
Grlyphodon ornatus, Gnfhr., Coluhr. Snakes, p. 210.
Brachysoma diadema, Gnfhr., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 11, 3rd series, p. 23.
Dr. Gunther remarks : — " I have formerly confounded this snake
with Furina bimaculata, D. & B. The genus which has been characterized
by myseK with the name of Glyphodon is valid, but must bear the name
of Brachysoma ; whilst for Brachysoma, Gnthr., the name of Furina,
D. & B., may be substituted." The following description is given by
Dr. Gunther : —
Scales in 15 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominals, 188 to 198.
Subcaudals, 46/46.
Length of cleft of mouth, \, inch.
Tail, 3 J inches.
Total length, 24 inches.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 49
Body and tail moderate, rounded, tapering behind ; head not very
distinct from neck, depressed, with flat crown and broad muzzle, obtuse in
front. Rostral shield broad, narrow, rounded behind, not much raised
above surfoce of cro^ni ; anterior frontals broad, short ; posterior ones
much larger, bent down on the sides, replacing the loreal, in contact with
second and third labials ; vertical five-sided, with such obtuse lateral
angles as nearly to be three-sided, elongate, and with a very acute angle
behind ; occipitals moderate, rounded and forked behind ; superciliary
moderate ; two posterior oculars ; anterior ocular forming only the upper
half of anterior edge of eye, the lower one being formed by the thu"d
labial ; no loreal, one nasal, pierced by the nostril ; seven upper labials,
third and fourth coming into the orbit ; one larger temporal shield in
contact with both oculars, five smaller ones behind, scale-like. Scales
smooth, short, large, with rounded apex, in fifteen rows ; anal bifid ;
subcaudals two-rowed. Eye small, pupil ellijitical, erect. Upper jaw
with a grooved fang in front, separated from the other teeth by an interval ;
an elongate series of six to seven teeth behind ; palatine teeth equal in
length; anterior teeth of lower jaw longest. Above brown, each scale
with a yellow spot in the centre ; spots in younger individuals occupying
nearly the whole scale, so as to give the appearance of the scales being
yellow, brown-edged ; crown of head and neck black, separated by a broad
white collar, very conspicuous in younger individuals, gradually becoming
obsolete; belly uniformly yellowish. The oviduct of one specimen contained
eight mature eggs, but without embryo. Length of egg |" ; breadth of
egg §". {Gunther.)
There is nothing to add to the present description, except that
" the broad white collar" is bright scarlet in living specimens, and that
the anterior part of the under lip is always black ; the head is very
distmct from the trunk ; and the largest example which was ever obtained
for the Museum collection is but 14 inches long. Our figure is considerably
enlarged.
Specimens of this very handsome little snake have been received
from almost every part of Australia north of the Mm-ray River. The
Museum examples arc all from the east coast — the most northern ones from
Cleveland Ray.
li
50 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
MacGillivray's Snake. Brachysoma tnste.
Grlyphodon tristis, GfJa:, Colubr. Snakes, p. 211.
Brachysoma triste, Gfhr., Ann. Sf Mag. Nat. Hist., Srd Series, vol. XI, p. 24.
Scales in 17 rows.
Two anal plates.
Abdominals ?
Subcaudals ?
Total length, 32".
Above uniformly blackish brown, scales of the sides obscurely
lighter-edged ; scales in seventeen rows ; vertical broad, six-sided, with an
obtuse angle in front, and a right one behind ; oviter edges much conver-
gent ; two nasals, nostril between ; first temporal shield not much larger
than hinder ones, and in contact with both oculars ; scales smooth, rhom-
boidal, in seventeen rows; anal bifid; above uniformly black, with a broad,
brownish collar ; scales on the sides lighter-edged ; beneath uniformly diill
yellowish ; the dark coloration of the sides extending on to the outer edge
of each ventral plate.
Length of cleft of mouth, f " ; length of tail, 4^" ; total length, 32".
FUEIITA., Diim. S{ Bibr.
Body cylindric, rather elongate; tail rather distinct from trunk,
short, tapering, ending in an obtuse, conical scale ; head not distinct from
neck, moderate, rather depressed, rounded ; rostral shield very large,
protruding, rounded, extending between the anterior frontals ; frontals
nearly equal in size ; vertical very broad, reaching the anterior ocular ; no
loreal, replaced by the conjunction of nasal, posterior frontal, and ocular ;
one nasal, pierced by the small rostral ; one anterior, two posterior oculars.
Scales smooth, not much imbricated, in not very oblique rows, short,
Avith rather rounded apex, in fifteen rows ; anal bifid ; subcaudals, two-
rowed. Grooved tooth in front, a series of smooth teeth behind.
Spotted Snake. Furina calonotos.
Furiiia calonotos, Diim. Sf Sihr.,]). 1241, pi. 75 bis.
Brachysoma calonotos, Gnthr., Colubr. Snakes, p. 229.
The description in the British Museum Catalogue is — " Pale brown
above ; back black, punctated with white ; head and neck black, with a
white cross band before the eyes and a white collar. Tasmania."
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 51
Dumeril and Bibron state that this species inhabits Tasmania, where
M. Verreaux discovered it in 1844<. Many naturalists are resident in that
island, and collectors pay frequent visits to it, but all have failed to obtain
another specimen during four and twenty years. Dr. Giinther mentions
that the British Museum received this snake from Baranquilla, at the
juouth of the River Magdalena, in New Granada ; but when the American
genus Brachynrophw was discovered in Australia, Giinther concluded that
his collector deceived him, by purchasing the specimens of Furina calonotos
in England. So much is certain, however, — that this species does not inhabit
Tasmania, and is not found in Southern Victoria or New South "Wales.
It will be as well to state here that the Furina textilis of D. & B.
(though differing in the number of ocular shields) is in all probability a
young specimen of Diemenia superciliosa with the oculars accidentally
divided. There is a specimen with three posterior oculars in the Museum
Collection.
Verreaux's Snake. Furina bimaculata.
Furina bimaeulata, Bum. 8f Bihr.,^. \2¥). Brachysoma bimaculatum, Gnthr., Colubr.
Snakes, p. 229.
" Pale brown above, head and neck black above, with white muzzle
and white collar." Discovered in 184.4 in Tasmania, by M. Verreaux, no
other specimen has since been found.
An example of this snake has been purchased by the British Museum,
the vendor giving West Australia as its habitat, which is a more likely
locality than Tasmania.
BRj^LCHTrCTROPIIIS, Giinther.
Body rounded ; head short, not distinct from neck ; tail short ;
rostral shield large, with a sharp anterior edge, but not recurved ; two
pairs of frontals ; one nasal, no loreal, it being replaced by the hinder
portion of the nasal. Scales smooth, rhombic, without groove, in seventeen
rows ; anal bifid, subcaudals two-rowed. Eye small, with circular pupil ;
the anterior maxillary tooth longest, grooved.
52 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
Australian Short-tailed Snake. Brachyurophis australis.
(Plate XI, figs. 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.)
Simotes australis, Krefft, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1864^, p. ISO.
Brachyurophis australis, Gthr., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 3rd Series, vol. XV, p. 97.
Scales in 17 rows.
Abdominal plates, 160 to 163.
Two anal plates.
Subcauclals, in two series, 18/18.
Total length, 11^ inches.
Head, 4 lines.
Tail, 1| inch.
Body cylindrical, I'ounded ; head short, conical, not distinct from
neck ; tail short, ending in a blunt point. Rostral shield much produced,
flat in front, pointed behind, reaching backwards to between the anterior
frontals, and sHghtly grooved at its base. One nasal, one anterior, and two
posterior oculars ; two temporals (in one specimen a third smaller one
behind). Eye small ; pupil subelliptical, erect ; no loreal — replaced by the
nasal and anterior ocular ; six upper labials, the third and fourth coming
into the orbit ; occipitals short, not much rounded behind, and but slightly
forked. The general color is red, very bright on the posterior pai't of the
body and tail ; all the scales are slightly margined — some, much darker than
others, have a whitish (in spirits) spot in the middle, and form into a
series of half rings, of which there are about fifty-six upon the body and
tail. The head is covered by a black band across the occiput, leaving the
snout free, commencing from below the eye, and marking the fourth and
filth upper labials, the vertical, and nearly the whole of the occipitals ;
this black band is divided from a second band covering the neck by a
whitish space.
The first specimen of this snake was discovered on the Clarence
River ; since then another example has been received from the Burdekin
River in Queensland. The northern one is darker in colour, has six upper
and lower labials and one nasal shield. The Clarence River specimen is
somewhat injured, and there appear to be two nasal shields instead of one ;
the upper labials are five in number, and the lower six.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 53
HOPLOCEPH^IiUS, Cuvir):
Body and tail moderate, sometimes stout ; head quadrangular,
sometimes rather depressed, and not distinct from neck ; with flat crown,
and moderate rounded muzzle. Rostral moderate, no loreal — replaced by
the conjunction of posterior frontal, of anterior ocular, and of second upper
labial and nasal ; one anterior, and two posterior oculars ; one nasal, pierced
by the nostril. Scales smooth, and not much imbricated, in fifteen to
twenty-one rows. Anal and subcaudals entire. Grooved fang in front ;
a series of smaller equal teeth behind. (Viviparous.)
Brown-banded Snake. Hoplocephalus curtus.
(Plate IX and plate XI, fig. 6.)
Naja curta, SelilegeJ, Ess. II, p. 486, and Ahbihl, t, 48, f. 19, 20. Giinther, Cat. Coluh.
Snakes in CoU. Brit. Mm., p. 216.
Scales in 18 rows anteriorly, and in 19 rows posteriorly.
Abdominal plates, 170 or more.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals in a single series, 40 to 50.
Total length, from 5 to 6 feet.
Head, 1^ inch.
Tail, 7 inches.
Body moderately elongate ; tail moderate, not distinct from trunk ;
head large and broad, cro^vn flat, and muzzle rounded. The middle plate
of the head (the vertical shield) is almost square — a distinguishing charac-
teristic between this snake and the Hoplocephalus superbus.
The body scales are elongate, of equal size, and do not overlap each
other much ; there is a considerable piece of black skin between them,
which shews very distinctly when stretched, or when the reptile, being
angry, flattens its body. In this species the color varies considerably,
from grey to almost black, with distinct or indistinct bands, and straw
yellow or bright orange abdominal plates. In West Australian specimens
the liands are very dark and distinct, but like marking occurs in N. S.
Wales species also. The younger the snakes, the clearer the bands are
defined, and living subjects are generally copper-colored.
The posterior abdominal plates and the subcaudals are darker and
more clouded with grey or black than the anterior ones. Tasmanian
sjiecimens differ ; they are either black, with a yellow, more or less spotted
54 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
or clouded belly, or greyish above, and of a similar color below, with here
and there a few black spots upon the back, indicating the position of the
obliterated bands. When black and only half-grown, the Tasmanian
snakes shew the bands very distinctly. This species inhabits almost every
part of Australia, from the south to the Gulf of Cariientaria ; it is the
most dangerous of all our reptiles, and a fair bite from it will kill animals
the size of a goat in about an hour. Upon its own body, or that of another
highly venomous species, the bite has no effect.
Thirty or more young are produced, every season, varying in color
quite as much as old individuals do. They retire into the ground in
winter, and make their appearance, according to the temperature, in
August or the beginning of September — in southern districts much later.
When attacked, and seeing no means of escape, this snake raises the fore
part of the body off the ground, not unlike a Cobra, to which it is closely
allied, and flattens the neck, though not to such an extent as the Indian
Naja tripudians.
Large-scaIiED Snake. Hoflocephalua superhus.
(Plate XI, fig. 9.)
Holocephalus superbus, Griinfher, Cat. of Coluhr. Snakes in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 217.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 150 to 160.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals in one series, 50 or more.
Total length of adult, 5 to 6 feet.
Head, 1 inch.
Tail, 6 to 7 inches.
Shields of the head smaller than in S. curtits, the middle or vertical
plate about as long again as broad ; head high, rather distinct from neck,
somewhat pointed ; body stout, with very large ventral plates, all clouded
towards the tail, clear, and of a bright yellow on the anterior part of the
body ; general color, a dark copper brown, the two outer rows of scales
on each side with a pink or red spot in the middle, those near the neck often
somewhat lighter ; close to the tail the spots are less bright, and some-
times obliterated. Western individuals occur with darker heads, and
without the pinkish outer row of scales. It is probable that there are as
many variations in this as in other prolific species, so that it is difficult to
give a description that will be ap[)licable to every individual snake.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 55
The scales of the body are always arranged in 15 rows, and are
consequently larger than those of H. curtus, which has from 17 to 19
rows ; no bands are formed, and though the neck is rather rounded, the
reptile appears to have the power of dilating it at will.
A single individual from Port Lincoln shows a very dark crown, a
much distended neck, Avith two dai'ker streaks resembling the mai'ks on
the neck of the Indian Naja. In this variety the scales are also in 15
I'ows, but smaller and rather more triangular than in the Tasmanian
species. The range of this snake has been considered to be limited to
Tasmania, where it is known as the "Diamond Snake," but dm-ing the last
few years specimens from other parts of Australia have come to hand. Tlie
reptile inhabits Tasmania, Victoria, South and West Australia, and proljably
the western counties of New South Wales, though it has not yet been
found on the east coast. Its habits are probably similar to those of H.
curtus, which is fond of the water, and frequents extensive swamps and
reed beds, or the banks of rivers or creeks. Frogs, lizards, young water
rats, &c., appear to be the principal food of this snake. The female is said
to produce a large number of young, which, in Tasmania, are brought forth
about the end of December. The strength of its poison has not been tested
with certainty, as the snake is confounded, in Victoria in particular, with
the Tiger or BroAvn-banded Snake [S. curtus), which species is generally
alluded to when experiments have been made. From the examination of
its teeth, one would conclude that it is of a highly venomous nature.
Young specimens, if not more than two years old, have a very distinct
vertebral Hne, a scale wide from a little below the head to the end of the
tail ; the head is also lighter in color than in adults.
Flinders' Snake. IloiJlocephalus ater.
(Plate XI, fig. 11.)
Hoplocephalus ater, Krefft, Proc. Zool. Soc, June 26th. 1866.
Scales in 17 rows.
Abdominal plates, 162.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals, 47.
Total length, about 30 inches.
Head, f inch.
Tail, 5 inches.
56 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
General color, black, chin-shields whitish on outer margin ; beneath
bluish black, clouded with a somewhat lighter tint on the posterior part.
Head scarcely distinct from trunk, high, quadrangular, and obtuse
in front; anterior frontals as large again as the posterior ones, vertical five-
sided, just as long as broad ; occipitals very large, and widely forked ; six
upper labials, the fifth largest, and leaving but one narrow temporal shield
above it ; behind this there are two more temporals, of which the upper is
the largest. The occipitals do not come into contact with more than three
scales on each side, whilst one scale is wedged in between the fork,
making seven scales in all. There are seven lower labials, one nasal, one
anterior, and two postoculars ; the pupil is rounded.
Habitat, Flinders' Range, South Australia. Discovered by Mr.
George Masters, who fou.nd but one specimen.
Broad-headed Snake. Soplocephalus variegatus.
(Plate VI, figs. 6, 6a, 6b.)
Alecto variegata, Dum. Sf Bihr., p. 1254.
Najce buugaroides, Srhleg., Ess. II, p. .577.
Najie buugaroides, Boie., Isis, 1828, p. 1034.
Naja buugaroides, Scldegel, Ess. II, p. 477, and Abbild., t. 48, f. 17, 18.
Alecto buugaroides, Dum. Sf Bihr., p. 1257.
Hoplocejjhalus buugaroides, Gunther, Cat. Colubr. Snakes in Cat. Brit. Mus., p. 213.
Hoploceplialus variegatus, Giinther, ibid., p. 214.
Scales in 21 rows.
Abdominal plates, 210 or more.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals in a single series, from 40 to 50 or more.
Total length of adult, 3 feet.
Head, 1 inch.
Tail, 4 inches.
Body and tail of moderate size ; head flat, broad behind, and very
distinct from the neck; two outer rows of scales of bright yellow, and a spot
of the same color in the corner of each ventral plate. The yellow mark-
ings become indistinct towards the tail, and are sometimes quite obliterated,
though one of the outer rows shows the spots generally as far as where
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 57
the tail commences ; a series of irregular loop-like bands a scale wide which
diifer considerably in shape in each reptile cover the back. The belly is of
a shining dark lead color, much resembling that of the black-lead used
for polishing grates or stoves. Plates and scales of the head, and the side
of the face, yellow-spotted. In spirit, all the yellow marks turn white.
The Broad-headed Snake is very local, and has never been found in
any part of Australia except on the south-east coast. All the specimens in
the Museum, and many hundreds distributed among kindred institutions,
were obtained in the immediate neighbourhood of Sydney.
During the summer months they are very scarce, perhaps on
account of their nocturnal habits, but as they hibernate under flat stones
in sunny localities, it is not difficult to collect a good many during the
cold season ; they are, however, not so numerous as they were six or
eight years ago, their haunts having been invaded by the builder and
the gardener. Broad-headed Snakes frequent open scrubby country ; and
the rocky coast-line from the entrance of Port Jackson to Botany Bay is
still much frequented by them. On the shores of Middle Harbour, and of
the Lane Cove and Parramatta inlets, many specimens occur. Few persons
have ever seen this species, as it is not often met with in the day-time.
The bite of this snake is not sufficiently strong to endanger the life
of man or of the larger animals; and experiments with goats and other
quadrupeds, such as dogs, ant-eaters {EcJiidna), &c., have never proved fatal.
The greater number observed seldom exceeded eighteen inches in length —
individuals of thirty-six inches are perhaps the largest ever obtained. If a
person be bitten by one of them, the simple act of sucking the wound is
sufficient to avert any unpleasant sensation ; but should nothing be done,
a violent headache, a certain stiffness in the spine, and some local swelling,
is generally the consequence. It takes from thirty minutes to an hour
before these symptoms set in.
The snake which Mr. Schlegel describes as Noja humjaroides, in his
Ahh'Mungen, tab. 4*-^, figs. 17 and 18, is one of the many varieties of the
present species.
M
59 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
Stephens' Banded Snake. Soploeephalus stephensii.
(Plate VI, fig. 7.)
Hoploeephalus stephensii, spec. nov.
Scales in 21 rows.
Abdominal plates, 239.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals, 60.
Head, 1^ inch.
Tail, 4^ inches.
Total length, 30 inches.
Body rather elongate^with flat quadrangular belly ; a kind of sharp
fold, almost amounting to a keel (similar to that in the genus Dendrophis),
runs from the neck to the vent on each side, defining the middle portion
of the abdominal scales, and leaving a part the size of a scale on the sides
of the body.
The head is not so broad and distinct from the trunk as in
H. variegatus, but it is rather large, and has its scales similarly arranged ;
the occipitals are more elongate, and the vertical broader, with a sharp
angle behind, cutting-in between them even more than is shown in
our figure.
Thirty-eight black bands, or rather half-bands, cover the back from
the head to the vent, and seven or eight the tail, those of the hinder part
of the body being occasionally interrupted and irregular. Thirty-seven
dirty white bands, half the size of the black ones, divide them, and both
reach down to the ventral fold or keel, giving color to that part of the
ventrals accordingly (either black or white). The cliin shields, and the first
twenty or thh-ty ventrals are spotted with yellow, the abdominal scales
then assume a light lead color, becoming darker towards the tail. The
head is less dark tlian that of S. variegatus, not so much sjiotted, and the
stripe or loop, a scale wide, reaching from the eye to the occiput on each
side, is very regular.
The principal difference between the two snakes is the sharp edge on
each side of the ventrals,* the distinct and clearly defined bands upon the
back, and the variation of color in the outer row of scales and the corners of
* The ventral plates are deeply cut out on each eide.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 69
the ventrals, which in hundreds of specimens of S. variegatus are always
vellow throughout. An indication of the abdominal edge or keel may be
traced in H. variegatus, but it is not so defined as that of the present
species. The snake was named in honor of W. J. Stephens, Esq., M.A.,
Oxon, and its habitat is Port Macquarie, on the Hastings River ; it occurs
probably also on the Manning River.
Pale-headed Snake. Iloplocejyhaliis palUdieeps.
(Plate XI, fig. 1.)
Hoplocephalus pallidiceps, Gunther, Cat. of Coluhr, Snakes in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 214.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 227.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals in one series, 55 or more.
Total length of adult, 30 inches.
Head, 1 inch.
Tail, 4 inches.
Dr. Giinther's original description is as follows : — Scales in fifteen
rows ; second and third upper labial shields truncated above. Blackish
olive ; head lighter ; scales of the outer rows with yellowish apex. Body
rather elongate, rounded ; tail rather short, not very distinct from trunk,
tapering; head somewhat similar to that of Glyphodon imicolor, vaihev
depressed, vdth broad, flat crown, hardly distinct from neck ; muzzle
rather short, broad, rounded in front ; eye small, pupil subelliptical ;
rostral moderate, reaching the surface of head ; anterior frontals moderate,
broader than long, rounded in front ; posterior frontals rather large, five-
sided, each with two hinder edges, forming together a right angle ; vertical
six-sided, longer than broad, with parallel outer edges, an obtuse angle in
front, and an acute one behind ; occipitals moderate, sometimes rather
elongate, sometimes obtuse and rounded behind ; superciliary moderate; two
posterior oculars, and one anterior, just reaching the surface of the crown.
This species differs somewhat from the other Hoplocephall, in the shields
replacing the loreal ; the second and third upper labials, being truncated
al)ov(', do not participate in replacing it. Nasal rather elongate, sharply
60 AUSTKALL4.N SNAKES.
pointed behind, pierced by the nostril ; six upper labials. Scales moderate,
rhomboidal, in fifteen rows ; anal entire. Grooved longer tooth in front,
a series of smaller ones behind. Above uniformly blackish olive, beneath
uniformly yellowish ; centre of each subcaudal with an obsolete dark spot ;
scales of the outer rows with yellowish apex ; head uniform light brownish
olive.
This species is viviparous. In the oviduct of the specimen whose
measurements here are stated, two perfectly developed embryos were
observed. Length of cleft of mouth, -^"; length of tail, 3"; total length, 24".
H. pallidiceps is allied to H. variegatus and stephensU, and has a
broad head and keeled ventrals ; it is one of the smaller species, which
seldom exceed thirty inches in length, and whose bite would not be
dangerous to man. This snake is rather rare, and does not occur near
Sydney. The Australian Museum contains specimens from the Lachlan,
the Clarence, and the Richmond River, and from many parts of Queens-
land. The most northern specimens were obtained at Port Denison.
Gould's Snake. Koploceplmlus gouldii.
(Plate XII, fig. 2.)
Elaps gouldii, Gh'ay, in Capt. Grey's Australia, p. Hi. pi. 5, fig. 1 ; GiiutJier, Cat. of
Colubr. Snakes in Col. B. M., p. 215.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 159.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals, 28.
Total length, 17 inches.
Head, f inch.
Tail, 2 inches.
Pale yellowish ; the scales of the back small, six-sided, with a dark
anterior margin, giving the back a netted appearance. Top of the head
and nape black, with a yellow spot on the rostral scale on each side just
before the eyes. Head small, the occipital plates large, elongate ; the nasal
plate triangular ; one moderate anterior, and two subequal posterior ocular
shields ; six upper and lower labial shields, the fourth under the eyes ;
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 61
eyes small, pupil roiuid. There is an indistinct small yellow spot behind
the upper part of the eye ; but this may be an accidental variety, as the
spots on the two sides are not equally defined.
A single specimen in the Museum collection, probably from South
Australia. Capt. (now Sir George) Grey discovered the species on the
West Coast.
Port Lincoln Snake. Hoplocephalns spectabiUs.
(Plate XII, fig. 4.)
Hoplocephalus gouldii, var. Krefft, Proc. Zool. Soc, 26 Juue, 1866.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 148 or more.
One anal plate.
Total length, 12 inches.
Head, f inch.
Tail, If inch.
This species has been considered to be a variety of Hoplo-
cephalus gouldii ; this is not so, however, as the following description will
show : —
Head depressed, scarcely distinct from trunk ; vertical five-sided,
with acute angle behind ; occipitals large, not much forked ; anterior
frontals triangular ; posterior frontals quadrangular, soinewhat larger
than the former. Six upper and six lower labial scales, smooth, rather
short, six-sided, lighter on the outer margin.
Greyish brown above, yellowish white below ; the marks upon the
head vary in different individuals ; rostral, nasal, and anterior part of first
pair of frontals marked with black ; remaining portion of anterior frontals
and whole of posterior ones reddish, after which another black patch covers
the vertical, superciliaries and part of the occipitals; pupil subelliptical,
erect ; a third black spot covers the nape of the neck, about four scales
wide, but not reaching to the sides. In some of the specimens the second
black patch is continuous, leaving only the tips of the occipitals and the
scale between them reddish.
Habitat, Port Lincoln, South Australia. Discovered by Mr. G.
Masters.
62 AUSTEALLiN SXAKES.
Crowned Snake. Hoplocephalus coronatus.
(Plate VI, fig. 3.)
Elaps coronatus, Schleg. Ess. II, p. 454, and Ahhild., t. 46, figs. 12, 13. Gray, in
Cnpf. Grey's Australia, pi. 5, f. 2.
Alecto coronata. Bum. ^ Blhr., p. 1255, pi. 76, 6, f. 2.
Hoplocephalus coronatus, Gilnfher, Cat. of Colub. Snakes in Col. Brit. Mus.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 138 or more.
One anal plate.
Subcaudal plates, 46 or more.
Total length, 18 inches,
Head, | inch.
Tail, 3^ inches.
Body short and stout ; head flat, distinct from neck ; tail short,
tapering, distinct from trunk ; back olive-green, lighter on the sides ; head
bluish olive above, on each side (crossing the rostral shield) a black beneath
a white-edged streak, both joined by a broad black collar at the back of the
head ; under part of upper and lower labials and chia-shields dotted with
black ; ventral plates reddish or salmon-colored (in spirits), more or less
black-edged ; subcaudals more indistinctly marked ; scales hexagonal,
skin between them black ; eye moderate, pupil rounded.
This, like the preceding species, inhabits Western Australia,
and is as common in the neighbourhood of King George's Sound as Diemenia
reticulata is near Sydney. Like most Uoplocephali, it frequents the sunny
side of stony hUls, brings forth from ten to fifteen young annually, and is
diurnal in its habits. Specimens have been captured in the western part of
South Australia, and its range is supposed to extend beyond the Swan
River. This species is not found in New South Wales.
Tasmanian Snake, Soplocephalus coronoldes.
(Plate Xn, figs. 1, la.)
Hoplocephalus coronoides. Giitiflier, Cat. of Colub. Snakes in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 215.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 150 or more.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals, 46 to 50.
Total length, 15 inches.
Head, \ inch.
Tail, 2\ inches.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. C.}
Body elongate and rounded; head and tail not distinct from trunk;
scales rather elongate, and not much imbricated ; shields of the head
regular, vertical nearly twice as long as broad, and not larger than the super-
ciliaries ; rostral very low, scarcely reaching to the top of the snout ;
posterior frontals much larger than the anterior ones ; nostrils in the
middle of a single nasal shield ; one pre and two post oculars ; temporals
2 + 2 ; uniform dark olive brown above, bluish powdered with black below ;
tan salmon-colored towards the tip ; a dark-edged white streak from
below the nostril through the labials to the side of the neck ; eye of
moderate size, with a bright brown spot above the pupil.
The present species is peculiar to Tasmania, and allied to Hoplo-
cephaliis Mastersii and H. signatus ; it differs from H. 3Iastersii in not
having a collar, and from H. signatus in having only one white streak
on each side of the head, as also in its more elongate vertical, and the
much smaller size.
Masters' Snake. Soplocephalus mastersii.
(Plate Xn, fig. 6.)
Hoplocephalus mastersii, Krefft, Proc. Zool. Soc, 26 June, 1860.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 136.
One anal plate.
Subcaudal plates, 40 or more.
Total length, 14 inches.
Head, \ inch.
Tail, 2 inches.
Head triangular, distinct from trunk, and pointed in front ; vertical
three times as long as broad ; all the scales of the head much elongate ;
six upper and seven lower labials, and one anterior and two postoculars,
the anterior one grooved.
Dark ohA^e-green above and below, with the exception of a
yellowish-white elongate patch in the middle of each ventral scale ; aU the
scales are very finely striated or keeled (which is not discernible with the
64 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
naked eye), and more or less finely black-dotted. Head darker than the
body, a whitish band crossing the nape ; a second white band, spotted with
black beneath the eye, from the rostral to the last upper labial.
In young specimens the ventral scales in the middle of body are red.
Habitat, Flinders' Range, South Australia. Collected by Mr. George
Masters, who found seven specimens.
Black-bellied Snake. Hoploceplialus signatus.
(Plate Xn, fig. 5.)
Hoplocephalus signatus, Jan.
Scales in 17 rows.
Abdominal plates, 157.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals in a single series, 51 or more.
Total length of adult, 24 to 30 inches.
Head, f inch.
Tail, 4 inches.
Body rather elongate and rounded, head and tail slightly distinct
from trunk, head shields regular, the vertical differing considerably in
shape in various specimens, six-sided, about as long again as broad, with
sharp angles in front and behind ; nostril reaching to the top of the snout,
with a groove on the lower edge ; six upper (and lower) labials, the third
and fourth coming into the orbit ; eye moderate, pupil rounded, with a
bright brown spot above it. First and second row of scales rather brown ;
skin between the scales black, above uniform dark olive green or brown,
beneath deep bluish black ; the head is generally lighter in color, parti-
cularly towards the snout ; a white streak from behind the eye to the side of
the neck, another from the nasal to the last upper labial ; lower lip, chin,
and part of neck (below) whitish. The ventral plates vary much ; the general
color is bluish black, the outer edges sometimes dotted with grey ; in one
specimen received from Mr. William Bell, M.R.C.S., the ventrals are
salmon-colored in the middle.
This species has a wide distribution ; it is mentioned from the neigh-
bourhood of Melbourne, occurs frequently in the southern districts of New
South Wales, and has been taken in Queensland, near Ipswich, by Mr.
Masters. The female produces from fifteen to twenty young. The bite of
this snake is not dangerous.
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 65
Temporal Desert Snake. Hoplocephalus iemporaUs,
(Plate VI, figs. 5, 5a.)
Hoplocephalus temporalis, Giintlier, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., Series 3, vol. IX,
p. i:30. pi. IX, fig. 11.
Scales in 19 rows.
Abdominal plates, 129 to 132.
One anal plate.
Subcaudal plates in a single series, 35 to 37.
Total length, 20 inches.
Head, f inch.
Tail, 2J inches.
Scales in nineteen rows ; six upper labials, the second of which is
pointed above, the third truncated ; temporal shields small, numerous,
in three series ; two temporals are in contact with the postorbitals, and a
third below is intercalated between the two posterior labials.
Body stout, thick ; tail rather short ; head short and broad, distinct
from neck ; eye small, pupil subelliptical. Rostral shield triangular, nearly
as high as broad, rounded above ; anterior frontals small, broader than long,
posterior frontals of moderate size, rounded posteriorly ; vertical five-sided,
much longer than broad, with parallel outer edges, and a pointed posterior
angle ; occipitals of moderate size ; two posterior oculars, one anterior
just reaching to the upper surface of the head. The postfrontal, nasal,
ante-orbital and second upper labial, meet at a point and replace the loreal.
Six upper labials ; the first is lower than the following, the third and fourth
enter the orbit. The chief character by which the species may be readily
distingviished is, the increased number of temporal shields, as stated above.
Scales round the neck small. Chin-shields of nearly equal size ; several
scales between the hinder chin-shields and the first ventral ; 129-132
ventrals, 1 anal, 35-37 subcaudals ; a series of four teeth behind the grooved
front tooth. Uniform olive-brown or chestnut-brown above, uniform
yellowish below.
The five specimens in the British Museum are from South Australia
(locality unknown) ; the longest (adult female) is 20 inches, the head being
f inch and the tail 2f inches long. It feeds on frogs. The Australian
Museum is in possession of specimens from King George's Sound, collected
by Mr. George Masters, who states that the largest snakes observed did
not exceed 24 inches in length. The description given is by Dr. Giintlier.
m AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
Ramsay's Snake. Hoplocephalus rmnsayi.
(Plate XI, fig. 2.)
Hoplocephalus ramsayi, Krefff, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1861, p. 181.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 164.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudal plates in a single series, 51.
Total length, 10^ inches.
Tail, 2 inches.
Body rather elongate and rounded ; head scarcely distinct from
neck, rather high and elongate, with obtuse muzzle ; rostral just reaching
to the surface of crown ; anterior frontals moderate, rounded in front ;
posterior ones larger, bent down on the sides ; one anterior, two posterior
oculars, the lower forming about one-fourth of the orbit ; vertical narrow,
six-sided, much longer than broad ; superciliaries nearly the same size as
the vertical ; occipitals moderate, not forked behind ; six upper labials, the
third and fourth forming the lower part of the orbit ; no loreal, replaced
by the elongate nasal, second and third upper labial, anterior ocular, and
bent down anterior frontal ; one nasal, pierced by the nostril ; scales
moderate, rhomboidal, in fifteen rows ; tail rather short, scarcely distinct
from trunk, tapering ; eye moderate, pupil rounded ; grooved fang in front,
some smaller smooth teeth behind.
Dark olive-green above, each scale tipped with reddish, in particular
those on the sides ; crown and a narrow vertebral line, one scale wide,
somewhat darker than the other parts ; this line extends to the root of the
tail ; upper labials and chin-shields whitish, marked with olive-brown in
the upper corners. Beneath yellow, each ventral scale with a blackish
margin ; subcaudals nearly black,
Mr. E, P. Ramsay discovered this new snake in the neighbourhood
of Braidwood, N. S. Wales ; it is apparently a young specimen, its total
length not exceeding lOJ inches.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 67
Desert Snake. Hojiloccphalus minor.
(Plate VI, fig. 8.)
Hoplocephalus minor, Oiintlier, Ann. and Magaz. of Nat. Hist., 3rd Series, vol. XII, p. 362.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 125 to 128.
One anal plate.
Subcaudal plates, 54 to 59.
Total length, from 18 to 24 inches.
The following is Dr. Giinther's original description : —
Scales in fifteen rows ; vertical shield not quite twice as long as
broad ; temporals 2-{-2-|-2. Uniform olive-brown above, yellowish below.
This species is similar to H. superhus, but it remains much smaller.
The head is rather small, of moderate length and width, not depressed.
The lower of the two anterior temporals is small, smaller than the last
labial. The chin-shields of the posterior pair are separated from each other
by scales. Ventral shields, 125-128 {H. superbus, 148-153) ; subcaudals
fifty-nine in the male, fifty-four in the female. All the lower parts are
yellowish, each ventral shield having a blackish base.
An adult (pregnant) female is 17^ inches long, the tail measuring 4
inches. All other British Museum specimens are still smaller, although
mature. Tliis species inhabits S. W. Australia, whilst H. superbus proves
to be a Tasmanian species.
With regard to the coloration of this snake, it will perhaps be better
to describe one of the specimens in the Australian Museum collection, as
they are probably better preserved than those in the British Museum. The
vertical is about the same size and form as in a young H. superbus, but the
scales are more imbricated, the outer rows not so large, and the chin-shields
much more elongate. The head of an adult S. minor is much smaller than
that of a young H. superbus of the same size, and there is a distinct half
collar, just behind the head, which is very plain in young specimens ; in
old subjects this mark takes the form of two light sj)ots behind the
termination of the mouth. The ventrals are black-edged, and the marks
much broader in the middle. The Museum specimens were obtained by
Mr. George Masters, at King George's Sound.
68 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
Black-napbd Snake. Soploceplialus nigriceps.
(Plate XII, fig. 7.)
Hoplocephalus uigriceps, Giinther, Annul, and Magaz. of Nat. Hist., 3rd Series, vol.
XII, p. 362.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 154.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals in a single series, 29.
Total length, 16 inches.
Head, 6^ lines.
Tail, 2 inches.
Dr. Giintlier's description is as follows : —
Scales in fifteen rows ; upper parts of the head and nape of the
neck uniformly black. Body of moderate length ; head rather depressed ;
tail short ; eye small, with vertical pupil ; snout broad. Vertical shield
five-sided, two-thirds as broad as long ; two postoculars ; six upper labials,
the third and fourth of which enter the orbit ; temporals 2 -[- 2 -|- 3 ; only
the upper of the two anterior temporals is in contact with the postoculars,
the lower being intercalated between the fifth and sixth labials. The
anterior pair of lower labials are large, as large as the front chin-shield.
Ventrals, 154 ; subcaudals, 29. Uniformly brownish olive above, each
scale being lighter at the tip. Upper parts of the head and nape uniformly
black ; lower parts whitish, immaculate.
There is a specimen of this snake in the Museum collection, that
was obtained in the Western Districts of New South Wales. This proves
the species to be Australian, as Dr. Giinther fii-st suspected ; it is allied to
Soploceplialus gouldii.
Black-backed Snake. Hoploceplialm nigrescem.
(Plate VI, figs. 4, 4a.)
Hoplocephalus nigreseens, Giinther, Ann. and Magaz. of Nat. Hist., vol. IX, 3rd Series,
p. 131.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 170 to 200.
One anal plate.
Svibcaudals, 30 to 46.
Total length, 32 inches.
Head, 1 inch.
Tail, 3^ inches.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 69
Scales in 15 rows, G upper labials, the second of which is pointed
above, the third truncated. Uniform bluish grey or purple black above ;
ventral shields whitish, blackish on the sides. Body rather elongate,
rounded ; tail somewhat short, not distinct from trunk ; head oblongs
depressed, not distinct from neck ; eye small, pupil sub-eUiptical. Rostral
shield very broad and low, and very obtuse superiorly ; anterior frontals
moderate, broader than long, rounded in front ; posterior frontals rather
large, five-sided, each with two hinder edges, forming together a right
angle ; vertical six-sided, about as broad as long, with parallel outer edges,
and obtuse angle in front, and a pointed one behind ; occipitals oblong,
obtusely rounded behind ; superciliaries small ; two posterior oculars, one
anterior just reaching to the upper surface of the head ; the postfrontal,
nasal, anteorbital, and second upper labial, meet at a point and replace the
loreals ; six upper labials ; the first is very low, situated below the nasal,
the third and fourth enter the orbit ; front series of temporals formed by
two shields, one of which is in contact with the postorbitals. Chin-shields of
nearly equal size ; several scales between the hinder chin- shields and the first
ventral ; the median line of the upper part of the tail is occupied by a series
of hexagonal scales ; a series of small teeth behind the grooved front tooth.
The present species is subject to a considerable variation of color
during the course of the year ; sometimes before changing its skin
the back and head are of a leaden hue, and the ventral plates uniformly
whitish ; after the old skin has been cast off", the upper coat assumes a
shining deep purple or bluish-black ; the ventral plates are at this time
rose-colored, which tint is invariably lost in spirits. The ventrals of
many subjects examined were found clouded on the sides ; sometimes the
gi-eater part of the scales, in particular those near the vent, are blackish,
and the subcaudals entirely so. It is probably the only snake of the genus
Soplocephalus in which the tongue is white.
The rocky neighbourhood of Middle Harbour (Port Jackson) is
the locality where this new species was first discovered, but since then
specimens have been obtained from Port Macquarie and the Clarence
River, which do not difi'er in color from those inliabiting the neighbourhood
of Sydney ; it is highly probable that the geographical distribution of this
species extends still further to the northward. Mr. George Masters
obtained a very large specimen, thirty-two inches in length, at Wide Bay
in Queensland.
70 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
The present species is perhaps the nearest ally of the Ringed Snake
{Vermicella occijntalis), and, like that serpent, it permits itself to be
handled without attempting to bite ; there is a peculiar polish on the closely-
adherent scales, just as in the Vermicella ; the tail is very short, the eye
diminutive, and the tongue white ; the body scales are broad and rounded,
and in all its characteristics this snake differs so much from other Soplo-
cephali that a separate genus will probably be formed for it.
Black-striped Snake. Hojolucephalus nigro-striatus.
(Plate XII, fig. 3.)
Hoplocephalus nigro-striatus. Krefft, Proe. Zool. Soc, 1864', p. 181.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, ISO.
One anal plate.
Subcaudal plates in a single series, 62.
Total length, 11 inches.
Tail, 2^ inches.
Body and tail as in S. nigrescens ; belly flat ; tail moderate, not
distinct from trunk ; head not distinct from neck, depressed, rounded ;
rostral moderate ; anterior fi'ontals broad, hinder edges just touching the
nostril ; posterior frontals much larger, rounded behind ; vertical moderate,
six-sided, very broad ; occipitals rather narrow, elongate, much forked and
pointed behind ; one anterior, two posterior oculars ; superciliaries and
eyes small ; pupil elliptical, erect ; six upper labials, third and fourth
touching the eye. Upper part of posterior half of tail covered with large
hexagonal scales ; sides and beneath yellowish white ; crown, and a
vertebral line running from the neck to the tip of the tail, black.
A very fine specimen of this snake has been received from Cleveland
Bay, by Captain Harley, of the steamer " Havilah." Mr. George Salting
discovered the first specimen near Rockhampton.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 71
TEOPII3EOIIIS, Giinther.
Tropidechis, Giinther, Ann. and Magaz. of Nat. Hist., 3rd Series, vol. XII, p. 363.
This genus differs from Iloplocephalus in having the scales keeled.
Clarence River Snake. Tropidechis carinata.
Hoplocephalus carinatus, Krefft, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1S63, p. 86.
Scales in 23 rows.
Abdominal plates, 165.
One anal plate.
Subcaudal plates, 51.
Total length, 38 inches.
Head, 1^ inch.
Tail, 6 inches.
Body elongate and rounded ; tail rather short, not distinct from the
trunk, tapering, ending in a conical spine. Head broad, quadrangular,
distinct from the neck ; muzzle short and broad ; eye moderate, pupil
rounded ; rostral broad, just reaching the surface of crown, with a groove
along the lower edge ; anterior frontals moderate ; posterior frontals much
larger, five-sided, rounded behind ; vertical moderate, five-sided, with an
acute angle behind ; superciliaries large, raised above the eye ; occipitals
moderate ; one anterior ocular, slightly grooved ; two posterior ones ; one
large temporal shield, two smaller ones behind; no loreal, this being
replaced by the nasal ; the second upper labial, anterior ocular, and pos-
terior frontal, bend down on the sides. Six upper labials, the third and
fourth touching the orbit. Scales rather narrow and elongate, in twenty-
three rows anteriorly, somewhat broader, and in nineteen rows posteriorly,
strongly keeled, forming fourteen raised lines upon the back and sides ;
brownish olive above, with some irregular interrupted blackish rings, which
become more and more indistinct towards the tail ; skin between and upon
the underside of the scales black ; belly whitish, clouded mth purplish
grey on the sides, much darker towards the tail, which is of a uniform
purplish color below.
The present species was first discovered by Mr. James F. Wilcox,
of South Grafton, on the Clarence River, a naturalist to whom the Museum
is much indebted for many valuable additions to its stores. Mr. Wilcox
captured two specimens only. Since then, another has come to hand
from Port Macquarie, on the Hastings River.
72 ArSTEALIAN SNAKES.
The species is, no doubt, highly venomous, but not having received
living examples no experiments could be made. In this as in other very-
dangerous snakes, a temporal shield is inserted betweeen the two last upper
labials ; this shield and a scale at the end of the line of mouth have been
counted as labial shields in the original description, but they are not, and
six labials above and below is the correct number.
PETEOD'Z'iyEOIT, Krefi.
Petrodymon, Krefft, Transactions of the Philosopliical Societi/ of N. S. Wales for 186.5.
Body rather elongate, rounded ; head depressed, flat, not very
distinct from neck ; eye small, pupil elliptical ; subcaudals in two series ;
tail short, distinct from trunk, ending in a conical spine or nail.
E,ED-BELLiED Snake. Fetrodymon cucullatum.
(Plate VI, figs. 10 and 10a.)
Diemansia cucullata, GuntJier, Ann. and May. iV. Hist., Ser. 3, vol. 9, p. 129.
Petrodymon cucullatum, KreJ^, Transact, of the Phil. Soc. of N. S. Wales, for 1S6.5.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 187.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudal plates, 41/41.
Total length, 19 inches.
Head, f inch.
Tail, 2^ inches.
Purplish brown above, with a series of darker longitudinal lines
along the upper part of the body, leaving a light elongate mark in the
middle of each scale ; beneath yellow, bright red in adult specimens, each
ventral plate clouded on the upper edge Avith purplish browTi much inter,
rupted on the posterior part of the body. Divisional line of subcaudal plates
marked in a similar manner, leaving the outer edges of the plates yellowish.
Upper part of head purphsh brown as far as the middle of posterior frontals,
covering the vertical part of superciliaries, and reaching beyond the
occipitals ; this elliptical spot is joined to the back by a narrow band of
the same color running along the median line of the neck. A light
greyish band encircles the dark brown mark, divided by the narrow line
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 73
which joins this mark to the back. Upper and lower labials dotted with
brown spots. Body rouudcd ; head rather flat, depressed ; tail short,
distinct from trunk, ending in a conical spine about a quarter of an
inch long. Six upper labials, the third and foui'th forming the lower
edge of the orbit, the second labial not in contact with the posterior frontal ;
rostral broad, low, very obtuse superiorly ; shields of the head regular, all
more or less rounded posteriorly, and slightly imbricated, vertical twice as
long as broad* ; one anterior and two posterior oculars, one temporal in
contact 'odth both oculars, four or five scale-like temporals behind ; eye
very small, pupil elliptical, and erect.
About nine years ago — in 1860 — a single individual of this species
was captured ; since then, owing to the exertions of correspondents in the
country, specimens from Ash Island, on the Hunter River, Port Macquarie,
the Clarence River, and other localities, have been received, so that its
geographical range has been ascertained for many hundred miles along
the east coast. This snake is strictly nocturnal in its habits, sluggish, and
of gentle disposition, never offers to bite when handled, and though
venomous, it is so in a very slight degree only, as has been proved by
experiments ; its length seldom, if ever, exceeds thirty inches. Rocky and
desolate places are frequented by it, and in such localities it is occasionally
found under flat stones during the cold season.
Mr. G. Masters obtained this species last year at Wide Bay, in
Queensland ; but the finest specimens in the collection are those presented
to the Museum by A. W. Scott, Esq., M.A. ; they were captured at Ash
Island, some of them have bright red abdominal plates, but the color
has now faded in the spirit specimens.
CA-COPHIS, Giinther.
Cacophis, Giinther, Annals and May. of Naf. Hist., 3rd Series, vol. XII, p. 361.
Body rather short, head smaU or of moderate size, not distinct from
trunk ; eye small, pupil elliptical ; tail moderate, rather thick, ending in
a blunt spine ; nostrils in a single nasal.
* This is not a constanl pharacter.
O
74 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
Krefft's Dwarf Snake. CacopMs krefftii.
(Plate XI, figs. 5, 5a.)
Cacoptis, krefftii, Qunther, Annals and Mag. Nat. Hist., 3rd Series, vol. XII, p. 361,
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 156.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals in two series, 28/28 to 36/36.
Total length, 12 inches.
Head, f inch.
Tail, IJ inch.
Scales smooth, in 15 rows ; head rather depressed, of moderate
width and length ; rostral shield nearly twice as broad as high, scarcely-
reaching the upper surface of the head ; anterior frontals not much smaller
than posterior ; vertical rather longer than broad, six-sided, with an obtuse
angle in front, and with a somewhat acute one behind ; occipitals rounded
behind, nearly as long as the vertical and posterior frontals together.
Nasal elongate, simple, pierced by the nostril in the middle, in contact
with the single preocular (there is a small shield intercalated between the
posterior frontal and the hind portion of the nasal). Two postocvilars.
Upper labials, 6 ; temporals, 1 + 2. Three pairs of small chin-shields, sub-
equal in size. Eye rather small, with tlie pupil round. Body rounded, of
moderate length ; tail rather short ; veutrals, 156 ; anal bifid ; sub-
caudals, 28.
Upper parts black, each scale of the outer series with an indistinct
dark violet streak. A yellowish band commences on the snout, and passes
through the eye and round the nape, where it is pure yellow, whilst its
anterior and lateral portions are dotted with black ; it is also longitudinally
divided by a black line running from the eye for some distance backwards.
Lower jaw brownish, marbled with yellowish. Each ventral shield yellow,
with a black outer and hinder margin ; a black band along the middle of
the subcaudals.
Our figures are considerably enlarged. The habitat of this species
appears to be the N. E. Coast of Australia. Mr. James E. Wilcox sent
the first specimens, and Mr. George Masters obtained more examples north
of the Clarence at Ipswich and Wide Bay in Queensland. No specimens
are on record from the western portions of this continent.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 75
Forde's Dwakf Snake. Cacophis fordei.
(Plate XII, figs. 8, 8a.)
Cacophis fordoi, Krefft, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1869.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 167 to 172.
Subcaudals in two series, 30/36.
Two anal plates.
Total length, 13 inches.
Head, ^ inch.
Tail, If inch.
Body elongate and rounded, head rather small, not distinct from
trunk, flat, regularly shielded ; vertical moderate, with a very sharp angle
behind ; superciliaries much smaller ; occipitals slightly larger than the
vertical ; rostral rather depressed, with a groove on its lower edge ; one
anterior, two posterior oculars ; one large and elongate temporal shield
with two others behind, the upper one being nearly as large as the first
temporal. Six upper labials, the third and fourth coming into the orbit ;
these shields increase from the first to the last, which is the largest. The
lower labials are also six in number ; the eye is small, with rounded pupil.
Scales hexagonal, about as broad as they are long, except the upper
rows on the back, wliich are more elongate. The head is scarcely distin-
guishable from the body, and for one-fourth of the snake's whole length there
is no increase in size ; the body then gradually enlarges, being much stouter
posteriorly, with a short and very distinct tail. In young and half-grown
individuals, these characters are not so clearly defined, the tail is nearly of
the same size as in the adult, rather stout, but distinct from the body.
The general color is a kind of sepia brown above in adults, much lighter
anteriorly, a white or yellowish collar dividing the head from the neck.
This collar commences at the last labial shield, covers five scales in length,
by one or (at the angle) two scales wide ; it then crosses the neck, the
width of a scale or less, and joins the opposite angle. The shields on the
side of the face are all more or less spotted with white, including the outer
edges of the superciliaries, the rostral, and the first pair of frontals. The
general color of the body which covers the outer margins of every abdominal
plate, is rather jagged and irregular in the middle, but sharply defined on
the sides, particularly in young individuals ; the inner margins of the two-
rowed subcaudals are marked in the same way to the tip. The abdominal
76 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
plates are otherwise of a clear straw yellow, brighter in young subjects.
The outer margin of each scale of the back is darkly shaded, with a light
elongate spot in the middle, giving the body a keeled appearance.
Mr. George Masters discovered this handsome little snake at the
Pine Mountain near Ipswich, Queensland, and he states that it could be
freely handled without its offering to bite.
Our figures of it are much enlarged.
Harriet's Snake. Cacophis harriettce.
(Plate XI, fig. 13.)
Cacophis harrietta?, Kreff, Proc. Zool Soc, 1869.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 193.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals, 35-35, or more.
Total length, 12 inches.
Head, ^ inch.
Tail, li inch.
Body rather elongate and rounded ; head scarcely distinct from
trunk, quadrangular, not much depressed ; tail rather short and stout,
distinct from the body.
The vertical is rounded off behind, about as large again as the super-
ciliaries; the occipitals are rather small and narrow, not much larger
than the vertical (too large in our figure). The plates on the side of the
face are similar to those of C. fordei ; the third and fourth upper labials
come under the eye, and the sixth and last is the largest ; the temporal
shields are, one large one, and two others of unequal size behind. The
general color is a kind of purplish brown above, each scale with a white
central streak (except the outer row on each side), forming 13 thin lines
from nape to base of tail ; head and neck white above, with a central spot
(the color of the body) covering part of posterior frontals, vertical, super-
ciliaries, occipitals, and one row of scales surrounding the occipitals.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 77
Tlie shields on the side of the face, the lower lahials, and chin-
shields, are dark spotted and hlotched ; eye small, pupil rounded. Ahdo-
miual plates uniform purplish brown, with a light outer edge ; subcaiidals
with similar markings.
Habitat, Warro, Port Curtis, Queensland. Discovered by E. A.
Blackman, Esq., of Warro.
Blackman's Snake. CacopMs blackmcmii.
(Plate XII, fig. 9.)
Cacophis blackmauii, Krejff., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1869.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 197.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals, 43-43, or more.
Total length, 16 inches.
Head, | inch.
Tail, 2^ inches.
Body elongate and rounded, head distinct from neck, rather
depressed, with obtuse muzzle. The vertical, without the sharp angle
Ijeliind, would form a square. The superciliaries are very small, slightly
larger than the anterior ocular ; occipitals also of small size, and not as
large again as the vertical ; the hind part of the head rather thick ; the
vertical and occipitals depressed.
Six upper labials, the two last of about equal size, with a large
temporal shield wedged in between them ; seven lower labials.
Purplish brown above, lighter on the sides ; all scales with a
slightly transparent outer margin, but without any markings ; ventrals
straw-yellow, with darker spots in the corners ; head, from the muzzle to
the occipitals, dark bro^vn above ; the upper margin of the upper labials
tinted with the same color ; the rest and the lower labials yellowish ;
mental shield dark brown. The upper part of the head behind the
occipitals light brown ; a clear small spot in the corner of each super-
ciliary plate yellow.
Habitat, the Pine Mountain, Queensland. Discovered by Mr.
George Masters.
78 ATJSTEALIAN SNAKES.
VEEMilCELIiA., Oray.
Body elongate, rounded ; tail very short ; head similar to MajJs ;
one nasal, pierced by the nostril ; no loreal — replaced by anterior ocular
and nasal ; one anterior, two posterior oculars. Scales smooth, not much
imbricated, in fifteen rows ; those of the vertebral line not larger ; anal
and subcaudals bifid. Grooved minute fang in front; no other tooth
behind.
This genus shews the remarkable fact, that the Australian Conocerci,
without smooth teeth behind the fang, are more closely allied to the
American Elaps than to the East Indian ones. ( Gimther.)
Black and white Ringed Snake. Vermicella annulata.
(Plate XI, figs. 12 and 12a.)
Vermicella annulata, Ch-ay, MSS. Brit. Mus., Sf Ounther, Cat. of Coluhr. Snakes in Coll.
Brit. Mus., p. 236.
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 225.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals, 18/18.
Total length, 28 inches.
Head, \ inch.
TaU, li inch.
The following is Dr. Giinther's description : — " Body elongate,
rounded, slightly compressed behind ; tail very short ; head moderate,
not distinct from neck ; rostral shield very large, rounded, raised above
the surface of snout ; occipitals rather narrow ; two posterior oculars ;
anterior large, replacing the loreal together with the nasal ; nasal sliield
single, pierced in the centre by the small nostril ; six upper labials, third
and fourth coming into the orbit ; one large temporal shield in contact
with the upper posterior ocular, two smaller ones behind. Scales smooth,
large, rather rounded behind, in fifteen rows. Anal and subcaudals bifid.
Tail ending in an obtuse conical scale. Two small fangs in front of upper
jaw, no other teeth behind ; palatine and mandibulary teeth equal in
length. Crown of head and muzzle black ; a yellowish (in fresh specimens
white) band across the posterior frontals, a second on the neck ; body and
tail encircled by alternate black and white rings. Length of cleft of
mouth, \" ; length of tail, \\" ; total, 28"."
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 79
The geographical range of this species is very extensive ; it inhabits
almost every part of Australia, except the southern districts. The
markings vary considerably in diiferent individuals, but in all, complete
rings are formed, the black bands being generally as large again as the
white ones. Examples occiu- in which the black marks narrow very mucli
on the belly, and others which have the head-shields rather ii-regular ; still
it is difficult to find sufficient corresponding characters to warrant the
establishment of a separate species. Since writing this, a very young
Vermicella has been received from the Upper Burdekin, collected by Mr.
K-ainbird, for which we propose the specific name of lunulata, provided
that older specimens, when discovered, will present the same markings.
Our figures are somewhat enlarged.
Half-ringed Snake. Vermicella lunulata.
(Plate XII, figs. 14, 14a.)
Scales in 15 rows.
Abdominal plates, 220 or more.
Two anal plates.
Subcaudals, 26/26 or more.
Total length, 8^ inches.
Head, less than \ inch.
Tail, \ inch.
Head very flat ; rostral not quite so high as in V. annnlata, vertical
and occipitals more elongate ; head, body, and tail, covered by 59 elliptical
spots, which, only in a few instances near the tail, join beneath, but very
faint, and scarcely a line in width. On the middle of the back these spots
are about J inch wdde.
Habitat, the Upper Burdekin. A single specimen in the Museum
collection.
ACAlsTTHOPHIS, Daudin.
Head depressed, shielded, prominent over the eyes; nostrils between
two shields ; pupil erect, elliptical ; tail ending in a recurved spine ; sub-
caudal plates one-rowed. Loreal shield absent ; eyes surrounded beneath
with a series of shields ; labial shields large ; middle rows of scales keeled.
80 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
Death Adder. AcanthopMs antarctica.
(Plate X and plate XI, fig. 7.)
Acanthophis antarctica, Wagler, Syst., 172, Gray, Zool., Misc., and Cat. of Specimens of
Snakes in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 34.
Scales in 21 rows.
Abdominal plates, 130 or more.
One anal plate.
Subcaiidals, 18™ or more.
Total length, 32 inches.
Head, 2|^ inches long. If inch broad.
Tail, 4 inches.
Girth round body, 9 inches.
The measurements are from the largest specimen in the Museum
collection.
Body short, stout, and rounded, covered with scales of various
shapes, those near the neck being lanceolate, and the upper nine or ten
rows strongly keeled. About the middle of the body the keels disappear,
or become very faint ; in specimens not more than a year old, the keels can
scarcely be traced. On the posterior half of the body the scales are larger^
rounded, and very thin. The head is broad, prominent above the eyes,
and one-third of the occiput covered with regular shields, which are, how-
ever, very rugged and indented, and, like the common body scales, much
imbricated. There is one anterior and two posterior oculars, and two or
three smaller scales between the eye and the third and fourth upper labial;
the whole labial series above numbers six plates, the last two being the
largest, with a very large temporal shield between them ; the lower labials
are seven, sometimes eight. The eye is very small, the pupil elliptical and
erect, the scale above it is very prominent, and the anterior ocular has a
strong groove on its lower edge. The vertical and the superciliaries are
about equal in size, the occipitals short and broad, with rugged irregular
outer edges ; nearly all the ordinary scales of the head are keeled. The
Death Adder differs from the true Vipers in having permanently erect fangs,
which are perforated, not grooved, and, in this respect, the reptile resembles
the Viperine Snakes. The short taU is much compressed near the tip, and
the last nine or ten series of scales surrounding it become, in old subjects,
very rigid and hard ; the last scale of all is generally curved, and resembles
a poison fang, but in old age only this spine hardens ; young and half-
grown specimeus have it more or less soft and pliable. This spine, which is
so much dreaded by many persons, is neither a weapon of attack or defence.
AUSTfiALIAX SNAKES. 81
The larger number of Death Adders are of a uniform grey color
al)ove, 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 rcottled 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 snaj) 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 with a Lizard {Cyclodus yigas), a
young specimen about 7 inches long, and though a large Accmthophls was
appHed to its body, the Lizard lived for twelve hours afterwards. A Green
or Golden Tree Erog {Hyla aurea) bitten by the same snake, survived
about as long. Eormer 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 Tenomous by many persons. Not long ago, the death of a boy from tlie 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 "Adder" jumped at him and wounded him in the leg ;
the Death Adder being rather sluggish in its habits, it is more tlian probable that the attacking reptile was a
Brown-banded Snake, Soplocephalus curtvs.
82 ATTSTEALIAN SNAKES.
The habits of this species are tolerably well known ; it frequents
sandy localities, feeds on frogs, lizards, small mammals, &c., and retires
under ground from April or May to September. When disturbed it flattens
out its whole body, and darts right and left as quick as thought, but
it does not jump, and certainly never jumps backwards ; it raises its head in
the act of striking, and then slightly only ; this must be mentioned, as our
figure was taken from a preserved specimen. The head, plate XI, fig. 7, is
that of the red variety.
r>EH"IS01srij^. Krefft.
Head high and quadi*angular, distinct from trunk, regularly shielded,
but with a large loreal which is absent in all other Australian venomous
snakes. Body not very elongate and rounded, tail distinct, ending in a
large conical spine. Scales in 17 rows ; subcaudals entire.
Ornamented Snake. Denisonia ornata.
(Plate XI, fig. 4.)
Scales in 17 rows.
Abdominal plates, 136.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals, 29.
Total length, 6 inches.
Head, ^ inch.
Tail, f inch.
This species is a very peculiar form, on account of the loreal
shield, which, in our venomous Colubrine Snakes is always absent. The head
is rather thick, distinct from trunk, high, and quadrangular, with shelving
snout, and, in this respect, resembling the genus Acanthophis. The
markings of the upper and lower labials, the chin-shields, and the first 10
or 15 abdominal plates, are almost identical with those of young Death
Adders of the first year. The occiput is black from the posterial frontals
to the commencement of the neck, leaving a mottled spot on the inner
margin of the superciliaries, and another very small one at the posterior
part of the vertical. The tips of the two occipitals and the scale between
AUSTEALIAN SNAKES. 83
them are also light colored, and below these is another whitish spot, formed
by the inner portions of eight scales with a darker centre. The occipitals
are slightly raised above the eye, and resemble, in this respect, the scales
in the genus AcantJwphis. The frontals shelve downwards, and the
rostral is so low, as not to be visible from above if the head be put in
a horizontal position. Body and tail above lead colored, beneath whitish ;
the abdominals have brown spots in the corner of each plate, which become
faint towards the tail.
Mr. Thomas Nobbs, a liberal donor to the Museum, discovered this
new snake near Rockhampton, in Queensland.
FAMILY OF SEA SNAKES-^ ri)i20Pj?/D.^.*
Body subcylindrical anteriorly, more or less compressed posteriorly ;
taU. strongly compressed, elevated, paddle-shaped. Head shields generally
abnormal ; loreal, none. Nostrils situated on the upper side of the head,
except in Platurus. Eye small, with round pupil. The venom fang small,
grooved in front, and with a canal in its interior terminating in a short
sUt.
" The Sea Snakes are inhabitants of the tropical parts of the Indian
and Pacific Oceans, extending from the coast of Madagascar to the Isthmus
of Panama ; they are most numerous in the East Indian Archipelago, and
in the seas between Southern China and North Australia, being represented
on the outskirts of the geographical range we have mentioned by only one
species, and that the most common, viz., JPelamis bicolor. They pass
their whole life in the water (with the exception perhaps of the Platurus),
and soon die when brought on shore.
" The most striking feature in the organization of the Sea Snakes is
their elevated and compressed tail, the processes of the caudal vertebrae
being much prolonged and styliform. The hind part of the body, and
sometimes forwards to beyond the middle of its length, is also compressed,
and the belly forms a more or less sharp ridge. The ventral shields would
* The remarks on the Sea Snakes are by Dr. A. Giinlhcr, F.R.S., originally jiublislu'd in Uic Hepii/ps of
British IiuJia.
Hi AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
be of no use to snakes mo\nng throngli a fluid, and not over a rougli hard
surface, and therefore thev are either only rudimentarv or entirely absent.
The genus Platiirus, howeyer, is a most remarkable exception, in having
ordinary yentral shields ; and this circumstance, together with the lateral
position of its nostrils, induce me to believe that these serpents frequently
go on shore, sporting or hunting over marshy ground. In many Sea
Snakes the hind part of the body is curved and prehensile, so that they
are enabled to secure a hold by twisting this part of the body round corals,
seaweeds, or any other projecting object. Their tail answers all the pur-
poses of the same organ in a fish, and their motions in the water are almost
as rapid as they are uncertain and awkward when removed out of their
proper element. Their nostrils are placed quite at the top of the snout,
as in Crocodiles and in Fresh Water Snakes, so that they are enabled to
breathe whilst the entire body and the greater part of the head are im-
mersed iu water. These ojienings are small and subcrescentic, and provided
Avith a valve interiorly, which is opened during respiration, and closed when
the animal dives. Tliey have very capacious lungs, extending backwards
to the anus, and consequently all their ribs are employed in performing
the I'espiratory function ; by retaining a portion of the air in these exten-
sive lungs, they are enabled to float on the surface of the water without
the slightest effort.
"The ' scales' of the Sea Snakes are frequently very different from
those of other snakes ; they overlap one another in only a few species
{Phiturus, Hydrophis stokesii, and belcheri) ; in others they are but little
imbricate and rounded behind, and, again, in others they are of a sub-
quadrangular or hexagonal form, placed side by side, like little shields ;
the less imbricate they are, the more they have lost the polished surface
Avhich we find in other snakes, and are soft, tubercular, sometimes porous.
T'he form and the arrangement of the scales attbrd good specific characters,
but it is necessary to observe that they generally ditt'er iu size, arrange-
ment, and form, in the different parts of the body. In my descriptions I
have always counted the series of scales on the neck — that is, at a distance
from the head about equal to its length, having found that the numbers at
that place are least subject to variation in diflFerent indi^-iduals ; whilst I
have taken the characters of the form or arrangement of the scales from
those in or behind the middle of the body, the scales on the neck being
narrow and more or less imbricated in almost all the species.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. S5
" The shields of the head differ so much in their arrangement from
those of other snakes, that a snake may be recognized as a marine species
by an inspection of the head only. The large nasal shields occupy the
upper anterior part of tlie snout, and are generally contiguous, replacing
the anterior frontals, which are absent ; the single pair of small frontals
are homologous with the posterior frontals of other snakes. There is a
vertical, a pair of superciliaries, and another of occipitals, one ocular, and
one or two postoculars ; the number of the latter is rather constant in the
same species. Loreal, none. The labials are somewhat irregularly arranged,
frequently subdivided, especially the posterior; in most of the species,
small pieces, nearest to the labial margin, are detached from the lower
labials. There is a triangiilar mental shield in front of the lower jaw,
behind which the first pair of lower labials form a suture together ; one or
two pairs of chin-shields follow. Several Sea Snakes are distinguished by
having some or all of the head-shields broken up into smaller irregular
pieces, whilst Platurits differs from all others in an arrangement of the
shields which is extremely similar to that in the Elapidce. The Sea Snakes
shed their skin very frequently, and the skin peels off in pieces as in the
Lizards, and not as in the Fresh-water Serpents, in which the integuments
come off entire.
" Several species are remarkable for the extremely slender and pro-
longed anterior part of the body, for which we use the term ' neck,' and
which terminates in a very small head. These snakes can hardly form a
separate genus, as we find a most complete transition from them to the
forms with thick and short body. The extreme forms must differ consider-
ably in their habits, but no observations on tlxis point are on record.
" The eye is small, with round pupil, which is so much contracted
by the light when the snake is taken out of the water, that tlie animal
becomes blinded, and is unable to hit any object it wants to strike. The
tongue is short, and the sheath in which it lies concealed opens near to the
front margin of the lower jaw ; scarcely more than the two terminating
points are exserted from the, mouth when the animal is in the water. The
mouth shuts in a somewhat different way from that in other snakes, the
middle of the rostral shield being produced downwards into a smaU lobule,
which prevents the water from enterinir the mouth ; this lobe is most
86 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
developed in Enhychnna. There is generally a small notcli on each side of
the lobule, for the passage of the two points of the tongue. Cantor says
that when the snake is out of the water and blinded by the light, it freely
makes use of its tongue as a feeler.
" The food of the Sea Snakes consists entirely of small fish ; I have
found all kinds of fish in their stomach — among them species with very
strong spines [Aijogon, Silurokls). As all these animals are killed by the
poison of the snake before they are swallowed, and as their muscles are
perfectly relaxed, their armature is harmless to the snake, which com-
mences to swallow its prey from the head, and depresses the sjiine as
deglutition proceeds.
" There cannot be the slightest dou.bt that the Sea Snakes belong to
the most poisonous species of the whole order. E-ussell and Cantor have
ascertained it by direct observation ; tortoises, other snakes, and fish, died
from their bite in less than an hour, and a man succumbed after
four hours. Accidents are rarely caused by them, because they are
extremely shy, and swim away on the least alarm ; but when surprised in
the submarine cavities forming their natural retreats, they will, like any
other poisonous terrestrial snake, dart at a pole ; or, when out of the water,
they attempt to bite every object near them, even turning round to wound
their own bodies, f Cantor.) They cannot endure captivity, dying in the
course of two or three days, even when kept in capacious tanks.
" The males may be easily distinguished from the females by a distinct
swelling on each side of the tail extending from the root to, or beyond, the
middle of its length ; sometimes the whole tail is thickened, and such
specimens may be taken for distinct species. All the species are vivi-
parous, bringing forth, without leaving the sea, fi'om four to nine young
ones. The young are more brightly colored than the adult, the faint cross
bands of the latter being complete black rings in the former ; the tail also
of the young is comparatively thicker, and less compressed than in the
adult. That they live to a great age I infer from the circumstance that
we find relatively very large examples of almost every sjiecies, but that
such examples are very scarce. Now as they have very formidable and
very numerous enemies in the sea eagles {Hallaetus), in the sharks, and
other raptatorial fishes, it appears to me to be a just conclusion that, if
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 87
Sea Snakes of large dimensions were more numerous than they are, thev
woukl, in spite of their enemies, arrive at that size in a shorter pei'iod than
that which we assume as necessary for their growth. Tlie greatest size,
however, to which some species attain, according to positive observation,
is about twelve feet, and therefore, far short of the statements as to the
length of the so-called ' Sea Serpents.' The largest example I have seen
measured only eight feet.
" There is no other group of reptUes the species of which are so little
kno'WTi, and the synonymy of which is so confused, as that of the Sea
Serpents. All the preceding authors, with the exception of Gray, have
worked at them with the idea that the species were less numerous than
they in reality are ; thus confounding forms which had been previously
distinguished, though imperfectly characterized. Having had the great
advantage of examining and comparing, first a portion of Russell's typical
specimens captured in the same seas as those from which Russell received
his examples, and secondly, the types of Shaw and Gray, I find the
results of my examinations so much at variance with those of others, that
it is necessary to treat on all the species of this family, and not to confine
myself to those alone which are supposed to be found in the Indian Seas
Moreover, oiir present knowledge of the geographical distribution of most
of the species is extremely vague, and I have reason to believe that, as in
other families of snakes, so in the Sea Snakes nvmierous species are very
local, whilst others extend over an enormous area." {Giinther.)
The above lucid remarks on the Sea Snakes, and Dr. Giinther's sub-
sequent descriptions of the known genera and species, have enabled the
author to classify all the Museum specimens, and to distinguish two ncAv
species, which differ so much from all other forms that it was considered
necessary to establish a new genus for them. These species are allied to
Aipysuriis, and will be arranged between that genus and Disteira. All
the known genera are therefore enumerated in the catalogue, though only
those species have been selected from Dr. Giinther's Work which are sup-
posed to inhabit the Australian seas.
88 AIJSTEALIAN SNAKES.
Synopsis of the Genera.
A . Ventral shields well developed, flat.
Two pairs of frontal shields ... ... ... ... ... ... Platunis.
B. Ventral shields well developed, icith a median ridge.
Scales imbricate ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Aipysiirus.
C. Ventral shields large, tvifh a very slight median ridge.
Labial shields reduced to three above and below ; scales imbricate,
strongly tuberculated ... ... ... ... ... ... Emydocephdiis.
D. Ventral shields narrow, or rudimentary, or absent.
* Nasals separated hy frontal shields.
Ventral shields distinct to the vent ... ... ... ... ... Disteira.
**NasaIs contiguous.
Head covered with scales behind ... ... ... ... ... Acalypfus.
Head short or of moderate length, entirely shielded ; lower jaw
without notch in front ... ... ... ... ... ... Hydrophis.
Head of moderate length, entirely shielded ; lower jaw deeply
notched iu front ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Enhydrina.
Snout very long, spatulate ... ... ... ... ... ... Felamis.
PIjA.TTJEUS, Latr.
Body subcylindi'ical, of moderate length. Shields of the head
subnormal in number and arrangement ; nostrils lateral, in a single
nasal shield, both nasals being separated from each other by a pair of
anterior frontals. Scales imbricate, smooth ; ventral shields well developed,
tail with two series of subcaudals.
This genus approaches the Land Snakes in several characters.
The shields of the head are very regvilarly disposed : there are two pairs of
frontals, frequently with an azygos shield between the hind pair. The
nostril is lateral, piercing a narrow nasal shield ; loreal absent. One pre
and two post oculars. Seven upper labials, the third and fourth of which
enter the orbit ; temporals scale-like 1 + 2 + 3. The throat is covered by
two pairs of chin-shields anteriorly and by scales posteriorly, the ventrals
commencing at some distance behind the head. The scales are regularly
imbricate, smooth, short, slightly rounded behind ; the number of longi-
tudinal sei'ies on the body varies much, from nineteen to twenty-five, in
diiferent individuals, without affording a character for specific distinction ;
it is more constant on the front part of the trunk. The ventral shields
ArSTKALLiN SNAKES. 89
arc broad, and sometimes show a lateral keel. Anal bifid. The tail is
longer and thicker in males than in females, and covered with high short
shield-like scales, the two lower series of which may he considered as sub-
candals.
The poison-fang is short, and not followed by a series of other
simple teeth, as in nydrophis. A very small single tooth is implanted
at some distance behind the poison-fang, and is frequently lost.
These snakes have quite the physiognomy of an. Maps, and the
cleft of the mouth is not turned upwards behind, as in other Sea Snakes ;
the eye is rather small. Neither the tail or the hind part of the body is
prehensile; and although we have not received positive information con-
cerning their habits, it becomes evident from their whole organization that
they must differ considerably from the other types of the family in this
respect. (Gnuiher.)
This is one of the two genera of Sea Snakes which occur occasionally
on the coast of New South Wales.
Ringed Sea Snake. Platurus scutatus.
Platurus scutatus, Gunther, Reptiles of Brit. India, p. 356.
Generally an azygos shield between the posterior frontals ; scales of
the front part of the trunk in twenty-one or twenty -three longitudinal
series; ventral shields from 213 to 241. Body surrounded by from twenty-
five to fifty l)lack rings. Crown of the head black ; the first and second
black mark of the head and neck are joined below by a black longitudinal
band, commencing from the chin ; snout and side of the head yellow, with
a black band running through the eye.
After having examined nearly fifty examples of this species, I have
come to the conclusion that the number and width of the black cross
bands do not constitute specific characters in these snakes. The length
of the tail also varies with the sex. It is a common species, extending
from the Bay of Bengal to the Chinese Seas, and to the coasts of
New Zealand. The largest example I have seen is exactly 5 feet long.
{^Gunthe7\)
Specimens of this snake are often washed ashore at Bondi after
heavy gales.
Q
90 AFSTEALIAN SNAKES.
Fischers' Sea Snake. Platiirus Jischeri.
Platurus fischeri. Jan., Iconogr. Deseript. in Rev. et Mag. Zool., 1859. Oilnther, Rept. of
Brit. India, p. 356.
Scales ill 19 rows.
Ventrals, 232 to 241.
Total length, 30 inches.
No azygos shield between the posterior frontals ; scales of the front
part of the trunk in nineteen longitudinal series ; ventral shields 232-241.
Trunk surrounded by from thirty-three to thirty-six black rings, which are
broader than the interspaces. A black band crosses the occiput, and
extends forward over the vertical plate, and over the left jaw, but generally,
it is not confluent with the next following ring. Upper part of the snout
yellow, upper labials black.
Habitat, Australian Seas, near New Guinea, the New Hebrides, &c.
-A-IPTTSTJETIS, Lace'p.
Body not much compressed, with trenchant belly, of moderate
length. Shields of the head generally divided into more or less numerous
smaller pieces ; normally only one pair of frontals ; nostrils superior, each
in a single nasal, the nasals being contiguous to each other. Scales of
moderate size, imbricate, smooth or slightly tubercular ; ventral shields
well developed, with a longitudinal median ridge. Subcaudals broad,
entire.
The species of this genus appear rather to belong to the fauna of
Polynesia and Australia than to that of British India ; no instance of a
specimen captured in the seas of the latter countries being on record.
{Giinther.)
Eel-like Sea Snake. Aipysurus anguilUformls.
Thalassopis anguilliformia, Schmidt, Abhandl. Natitrw. Hamh. II, p. 76, taf. 1.
Aipysurus anguilliformis, QUnther, Rept. of Brit. India, p. 357.
Scales in 17 rows.
Abdominal, 142.
Total length, 24 inches.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 91
Scales on the highest part of the body in seventeen series, perfectly
smooth ; ventral shields, 142. TaU covered laterally with scales similar
to those of the trunk, and terminating in a large shield-like scale ; shields
of the head not, or but little, subdivided ; upper parts brownish, with
cross bands of yellow black-edged scales ; head uniformly blackish. An
older example (described by Schmidt) is yellowish, with numerous rhombic,
rather irregular, confluent brown spots on the back.
Habitat, Coast of Java and Australian Seas ?
Brown Sea Sxake. Aipysiirus fiiscus.
Aipysurus fuscus, Fischer, AbJiandl. Naturw., Hamb. Ill, p. 33. Gunther, Mept. of Brit.
India, p. 35S.
Scales in 19 rows.
Abdominals, 157 to 166.
Total length, 39 inches.
Scales on the highest part of the body in nineteen rows ; those of
the outer series and the ventral shields with small tubercles, which are
more distinct in old individuals than in young ones ; ventral shields, 157-
165-166 ; scales on the side of the tail larger than those on the body ;
shields of the head much subdivided in old examples ; either uniformly
brown, or each scale and ventral shield with a large brownish-black spot
near the hind margin.
This species belongs to the fauna of the Australian seas. {Giiiither.)
JuKfis's Sea Snake. Aipysurus Icevis.
Aipysurus Icevis, Latep. Ann. Mus. IV, pp. 197, 210, pi. -56, fig. 3. Giimther, Iiej)t. of
Brit. India, p. 3.58.
Scales in 21 rows.
Abdominals, 151 to 154.
Total length, 60 inches.
Scales on the highest part of the body in twenty-one rows, perfectly
smooth ; ventral shields, 151-(152)-154 ; scales on the side of the tail
elevated, band-like ; terminal scale of the tail very large ; shields of the
head much sul)divided in old examples, which are uniform brown.
Habitat, Coa.st of New Caledonia, New Guinea, &c.
92 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
EM:"2'DOCBI'H:^IjTJS. Kreffi.
Emydocephalus, Krejl, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1869.
Anterior half of the trunk rounded, posterior part compressed,
ventral plates well developed ; head shielded, gape of mouth short, three
upper and three lower labials, the middle one largest, covering nearly the
whole upper and lower lip ; (scales large and much imbricated, in 16 rows).
Occipitals not much larger than the superciliaries, very irregular, with
sometimes a plate between them, and much broader than long. Tail much
compressed, ending in a large flat scale with two or three denticulations,
and a strong keel on each side.
Scales in 16 or 17 rows, hexagonal, much imbricated, and covered
with from 5 to 10 or more tubercles, ventral plates much tuberculated, in
particular those near the tail.
Tortoise-headed Ringed Sea Snake. Emydocephalus mmulatus.
Emydocephalus annulatus, Krefft, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1869.
Scales in 16 or 17 rows.
Abdominals, 144.
One anal plate.
Subcaudals, 36 (ending in a broad spine).
Total length, 30 inches.
Head, f inch.
Tail, 4^ inches.
Scales large and imbricated ; head small, about as long as broad,
covered with rounded plates, which are more or less raised in the middle,
and much tuberculated ; one or two elongate shields wedged in between
the superciliaries ; the number of upper and lower labials reduced to three,
a middle one of extraordinary size between two small scale-like shields ;
each scale and plate covered with many small tubercles, and the body
encircled by thirty-five black and as many white rings ; the white scales
upon the back and sides more or less black, and some of the black rings
white spotted.
Habitat, probably the Australian Seas. Two specimens in the
Museum collection.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 03
ToRTOiSE-HEADEu Brown Sea Snake. Emydoccphalus tuberculatus.
Emydocepbalus tuberculatus, KrcJTt, Proc. Zool. Soc, ISGO.
Scales in 17 rows.
Abdominal plates, 135.
One anal plate.
Subcaudal plates, 30.
Total length, 32 inches.
Head, 1 inch.
Tail, 5^ inches.
Girth, 4 inches.
Head short, but longer than in the previous species ; neck rounded ;
all the other parts of the body compressed, very stout, with strongly com-
pressed tail, ending in a large flat scale or spine divided into three
segments, scales very large, hexagonal, the greater portion fully one quarter
of an inch wide, much imbricated and tuberculated. Abdominal plates
large, wdth a fold or ridge in the middle, but not keeled; each plate covered
with several elongated tubercles. Head shielded, the sutures of the frontals
and nasals forming right angles ; vertical nearly rounded ; superciliaries
large, five-sided ; occipitals short, much broader than long. Three upper
and lower labials, the middle one very large, covering nearly the whole
gape ; the middle lower labial shield very irregular in form, with one or
two indentions. One anterior and two posterior oculars ; eye of moderate
size. General color uniformly purplish brown ; some of the scales on the
side mottled with lighter browTi spots.
Habitat, probably the Australian Seas ; a single specimen in the
Museum collection.
DISTEIHi^, Lace'p.
Body compressed, of moderate length ; head shielded above ; a pair
of anterior frontals between the nasals which are small. Scales imbricate ;
ventral shields distinct, but small.
94 AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
Dumeuil's Sea Snake. Disteira doUata.
Disteira doliata, Lacep. Ann. Mus. IV., p. 199, pi. 57, fig. 2. Dim. 4' Bihr., Erpetol
gen. VII, p. 1331.
D. dumerillii, Jan. Iconogr., Bescript. in Bev. et Mag. Zool., 1859.
D. doliata, Giinther, Beptiles of Brit. India, p. 359.
Scales in 39 or 41 rows.
Abdominals, 234.
Total length, 33 inches.
One postocular ; scales with a short central keel ; ventrals bicarnate.
Back with broad brownish cross bands, the interspaces of the light ground
colour being again divided by narrow brownish transverse streaks, at least
on the anterior part of the trunk.
Only the typical specimen of this species is known ; no record of
the locality where it was obtained has been preserved.
^Oj^IilTPTTJS, Bum. Sf Bihr.
Posterior half of the trunk compressed, of moderate length. Head
covered with scales above, the snout and superciliary region only being
shielded. Scales imbricate ; ventral shields none.
Bibron's Sea Snake. Acalyptus superciliosus.
Acalyptus superciliosus. Bum. S{ Bihr. VII, p. 1310, Gilnfker, Bept. of Brit. India, p. 359.
Scales in 23 rows.
Abdominals ?
Total length, 26 inches.
Head small, scarcely longer than broad ; body of moderate length,
with the anterior portion rather slender. Two labials below the orbit ;
two postoculars. Nasals forming a suture together ; a pair of frontals as
large as the nasals ; the nostrils are between the nasals and frontals ; twenty-
three series of scales round the neck ; scales slightly imbricate, each with
a more or less prominent short keel. Trunk with twenty-two black cross
bands, tapering on the belly, and about half as broad as the interspaces ;
each interspace with a faint greyish cross band. Belly with narrow
blackish transverse bands, alternating with those descending from the
back.
Habitat, South Western Pacific.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 95
HTTIDEOPIIIS.
HydropUis, sp. Baud.
Posterior part of the body strongly compressed ; head short, or of
moderate length, shielded above ; only one pair of frontals ; nostrils
superior, in a single nasal shield, both nasals being contiguous to each
other ; scales imbricate or not without polish, generally with a tubercle
or with a keel ; ventral shields very narroAv, or quite rudimentary, or entirely
absent ; lower jaw without notch in front.
Stokes' Sea Snake. Hydrophis stokesii.
(Plate XII, fig. 17.)
Hydrus stokesii, Ch-ay in Stokes' Australia, I, p. 502, tab. 3.
Hydrophis stokesii, Gunther, Rept. of Brit. India, p. 363.
Total length, 61 inches.
4|^ inches high.
10 inches in circumference.
Head rather short and broad ; body stout. Two or three labial
shields below the eye ; two postoculars ; chin covered with scales, with no
other shields but the mental and labials. Forty-three to forty-seven series
of scales round the neck. Scales rather small, much imbricated, keeled,
each keel being interrupted in the middle. The ventral shields are replaced
by two series of smooth scales, not larger than the scales of the adjoining
series, the scales of the two ventral series being arranged opposite to each
other. Young specimens and adult males have broad black cross bands,
either extending over the back only or entirely surrounding the body.
The interspaces between them are generally again divided by a narrow
transverse black streak or series of black spots. Old females are almost
entirely uniformly greyish above and whitish below.
Habitat, Northern Coast of Australia.
Belcher's Sea Snake. Hydrophis belcheri.
Aturia belelieri, Grray, Viper. Snakes, B. M., p. 46.
Hydrophis belcheri, Giiiither, Bejjt. Brit. India, p. 36-1.
Scales in 25 rows (near neck).
Abdominals, 317.
Total length, 34 inches.
Head, \ inch.
Tail, 3J inches.
96 . AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
Head of moderate width and size ; neck not very slender, body of
moderate length. Rostral shield nearly as broad as long ; only the fourth
upper labial foi'ms the lower part of the orbit ; two postoculars ; three tem-
poral shields on the side of each occipital. Two pairs of chin-shields, which
are in contact with one another. Twenty-five series of scales round the neck>
scales but little imbricated, subtruncated behind, and those on the highest
part of the body, as broad as long, each with a short keel. Ventrals, 317
in number, more than twice as broad as the scales of the adjoining series,
without keel or tubercle. Four large anal shields. The tail terminates in
a very larged forked scale. Back brownish olive, with blackish cross
bands, separated by yellowish transverse streaks anteriorly ; these bands
become very indistinct towards the middle of the length of the animal.
Head and throat blackish ; a horse- shoe-like yellowish mark on the crown
of the head, resting with its convex anterior portion on the frontal shields.
Sides and belly yellowish.
Habitat, coast of New Guinea.
Elegant Sea Snake. Sydrophis elegans.
(Plate XII, figs. 16, 16a, 16b.)
Hydrophis doliata, Orni/, Zool, Misc., p. 62, and Vifer Snakes, p. 51.
Aturia elegans, Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 61.
Hydrophis elegans, Giinther, Sept. Brit. India, p. 369.
Scales in 28 rows.
Abdominals, 330 to 415.
Anal plates, 6.
Total length, 50 inches.
Head, 7 lines.
Tail, 3^ inches.
Head rather small and narrow ; neck slender, less than one-third of
the total length ; body elongate. Rostral shield as high as, or higher than,
broad ; the labial below the eye is split into two or three pieces ; two post-
oculars. Two pairs of chin shields, the anterior of which are in contact
with each other. Twenty-eight series of scales round the neck. Scales
imbricate, keeled, rhombic, those on the highest part of the body about as
high as long. Ventrals twice or thrice as broad as the scales of the
adjoining series, bitubercular, and from 330-115 in number. Six anal shields.
Trunk with from forty-two to forty-eight black or blackish olive cross
AUSTKALIAN SXAKES. 97
bands, rounded laterally, extending downwards to tlie middle of the sides,
and rather broader than the interspaces of the ground-color ; belly with
a black longitudinal band. Head entirely black, separated from the first
cross band by a narrow white ring. The young specimen has a transverse
series of small black spots in the middle of each interspace between the
black cross bands ; and an irregular series of small round black spots runs
alono- each side of the belly.
Habitat, coast of New South "Wales and Queensland.
Eted Sea Snake. Eydrophis ocellata.
(Plate XII, figs. 15, 15a.)
Hydrophis ocellata, Gray, Viper. Snakes, p. 53, and Gunther, Rept. Brit. India, p. 378,
pi. XXV! figs. P, P.
Scales in 35 to 41 rows.
Abdominals, 296 to 334.
Total length, 44 inches.
Head (cleft of mouth), | inch.
Tail, 5 inches.
Head rather short and broad ; anterior and posterior parts of the
body moderately stout ; two pairs of chin shields, the anterior of which
are in contact with each other ; two postoculars, thirty-five to forty-one
series of scales round the neck ; ventral shields distinct, but not twice as
broad as the scales of the adjoining series, 296-334 in number ; six
prajanal shields, the outer of which are the largest ; scales of the young
smooth — of the adult with a short tubercular keel ; back with from thirty-
two to thu'ty-four blackish cross bands, the anterior of which are quad-
rangular, and separated by straight, very narrow, transverse, whitish lines ;
the middle and posterior are rounded elliptical, each with lighter centre ;
a smaller, transverse, blackish spot behind each large elliptical cross band ;
a series of ovate blackish ocelli, each with lighter centre, runs along the
side of the back, the ocelli being alternate with the dorsal bands ; two
other series of small, round, alternate spots along the lower side ; belly
with numerous blackish dots ; head uniformly brownish olive ; tail with
two rows of blackish cross bars, the one ascending from the lower side,
the other descending from the upper ; the bars of both sides alternate
with each other.
Habitat, the Australian Seas.
R
98 AUSTEALIAN SNAKES.
EimirDEIlTjfL Gray.
Differing from Hydrophls only by having a deep, longitvidinal
notch in front of the lower jaw.
Only one species is known.
Bbngax Sea Snake. Enhydrina bengalensis.
Enhydrina bengaleusis, Gray. Viper. Snakes, p. 48, and Giintlier, Bept. Brit. India.
p. 381.
Scales in 48 rows.
Abdominals, 284 to 314.
Total length, 48 inches.
New-born young snake, 10^ inches.
Habitat, from the Sea of Bengal to the Coast of New Guinea.
Pelamis, sp. Daud.
Head flat, with very long, spatulate snout ; neck rather stout ; body
of moderate length. Nasal shields contiguous, longer than broad, j^ierced
by the nostril posteriorly ; only one pair of frontals. Scales not imbricates
not polished, tubercular or concave. Ventral shields none, or very narrow.
Lower jaw without notch in front.
Yellow-bellied Sea Snake. Pelamis bicolor.
(Plate XII, fig. 19.)
Bussell, Lid. Serp., I, p. -±7, pi. 41.
Hydrus bicolor, Schneid, Hist. Amph., p. 242. Cantor, Mai. Sept., p. 135.
Pelamis bicolor, Daud., Bept., VII, p. 366. Gray, Viper. Snakes, p. 41. Fischer,
Ahhandl. Naturiv. Hamh., 18.56, p. 61. Giiutber, Bept. Brit. India, p. 382.
Hydropbis variegata, Schleg. Faun. Jap., tab, 8.
pelamis, Schleg. Fhys. Serp., II, p. 508, pi. 18, figs. 13 — 15.
Pelamis oriiata, Gray, Viper. Snakes, p. 43.
Scales in 45 to 51 rows.
Abdominals (or scales from mouth to vent longitudinally),
378 to 440.
Total length, 36 inches.
Two or three postorbitals. Neck surrounded by from forty-five to
fifty-one longitudinal series of scales. From 378 to 440 scales in a lateral
longitudinal series, between the angle of the mouth and the vent. Colo-
ration variable.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES. 99
Yar. a The upper part of the head and the back are uniformly black,
the sides and belly uniformly brownish olive ; both colors are sharply defined,
and sometimes separated by a yellow band. Tail with large black spots.
Var. 0- The black of the back and the brown of the sides are sepa-
rated by a yellow band, as in Var. «, but there is another black latera
band below the yellow one, broken up posteriorly into a series of large
round black spots.
Var. y. The black band of the back is rather narrow, becomes
sinuous on or behind the middle of the length of the body, and is broken up
posteriorly into a dorsal series of rhombic, and more or less confluent spots,
extending downwards on the sides. Sides and belly with rather irregular
series of rounded black or brown spots. This variety is intermediate
between Var. o and Var. 5, and has been named sinuata.
Var. 8. Yellow, with about fifty brown black-edged cross-bands,
extending nearly to the belly, which again is crossed by narrow vertical
brownish-black streaks, alternating with the dorsal bands. Some of the
dorsal bands are confluent, forming a zigzag band. Head yellow, variegated
with black : H. variegata, Schleg. ; F. ornata, Gray ; varietas alternmis,
Fischer.
This species is one of the most common Sea Snakes, and has the
widest geographical range of all the species of this family ; it appears to be
found throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian and
Pacific Oceans. We have received specimens captured off the coast of
Madagascar, in the sea between Australia and New Zealand ; and the Sea
Snakes seen ofi^ the coast of Panama appear to belong to this species.
Fischer {I. c.) mentions specimens preserved in the Berlin Museum, and
marked "West Coast of Mexico," and the British Museum has received a
specimen said to be from Panama. None of the specimens we have
examined exceed a length of three feet. (Gimther.)
The present species occurs more frequently on the Australian Coast
than any other Sea Snake ; several gravid females were captured in Botany
Bay which contained from four to six young of considerable size. During
heavy gales many specimens are thrown ashore along the coast ; they have
also been taken in the harbour of Port Jackson.
100 ATJSTEALLiN SNAKES.
APPENDIX.
The followdng five new species are enumerated by Dr. Giinther, in his valuable " Eecord of
Zoological Literature": —
TlTPHIiOPS.*
Ttphlops GiJNTHESi. (Peters.)
Monatsber. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1865, p. 259, fig. 1. From Cape York.
Ttphlops wiedii. (Peters.)
L.c, 1867, p. 24. From Brisbane.
TrpHLOPS (OnycliocepliaJus) ungiiirosteis. (Peters.)
h.c., 1867, p. 708, fig. 3. From Queensland.
PSBTJIDBOHIS.
PsEtJDECHis SCUTELLATUS. (Peters.)
Moiiai.9ber, IS67, p. 710. From Eockhampton.
h:opijOcepii-a.ltjs
HoPLOCEPHALrS MACULATUS. (Steiiid.)
Novara, Sept., p. 81, tab. 3.
HYIDEOPHIIS.
Htbeophis stokesii ? (Gray.)
Capt. Edwards lias presented a very large Sea Snake, of a uniform black color, wbich
is fully as large as the specimen measured by Dr. Giinther, viz., about 5 feet long, 5 inches
high, and 11 inches in circumference. The specimen was captured on the North Coast.
* Professor Peters considers —
Typhlops australis (Gray), and
preissi (Jan J, as identical ; and also,
ni^escens (Gray J,
polygranimicus (tichleij),
rUpiiellii (Jan),
temmincltii (Jan), a.s one and tlie same species.
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InOT VilNOMOUS.
>?>'>
BLACX-HEADED SNAKE,
Aspidiotes melanocephalus.
llarrit • ^cott. del ft lilb
Gibbs, SiiKllard, & Co., imps
NOT VJ'NOMOUS.
GREEN TREE SNAKE.
Dendrophis punctulata.
II.t:ti. I ScoUjdcl. et lilh.
Gibbfl, .Shallard. & Co . ilnp^
PLATE V.
NOT VENOMODS.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
H<'lena Forde. del. et lith.
(libbs, SL^lKtriJ, & Cu., imps.
PLATE V],
VENOMOUS.
HEADS OF AUSTRALIAN SNAKES,
No. I. Skull of American Rattle Snake, (Crotalus tlurissus.)
No. 2. Skull of Australian Black Snake, (Pseudechis porphyriacus.)
..irrii'l ^cntt fi«-I .a litli.
Gibbsi, Shallarfl, * Co., imiia.
VENOMOUS.
PLATE Ml
BROWN SNAKE,
Diemeuia superciiiosa.
llrirnei Scott, •l.-'l. yt lith
Gibbs, Shallard. t Co , laipB
00
o
o
n
o
W
OQ
CO
Ph
PLATE IX.
VENOMOUS.
BROWN-BANDED SNAKE.
Hoplocephalus curtus.
Harriet Scott, del. et lith.
Gibba, .Shallard, & Cu., imps.
CO
o
o
. c3
tr! 3
a
Plate xi.
VENOMOUS.
AUSTRALIAN SlNAKES.
Harriet Scott, del. et lith.
.T. A. Entrel. imp.
VENOMODS.
PLATE XII.
AUSTRALIAN SNAKES.
Il«-ueiia VonJe, d
»j . A En;'el. iui!>
*}
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