is a native of Borneo, is adorned with rich and well contrasted colouring, which glitters with metallic lustre, reminding us of the splendid hues of the humming bird; and its movements are distinguished for rapidity and elegance. It is upwards of three feet in length, but of extreme slenderness, and its tail, which is long, narrows to a fine point. The Boiga, says Latreille, darts with the rapidity of an arrow, throws itself instantaneously into folds, twines round any object, climbs trees with the greatest facility, and there hangs, or balances itself, the golden azure of its scales glittering in the eyes of the astonished spectator. Thus prepossessing in appearance, its disposition is in harmony with its outward beauty; it is so gentle, that the children in Borneo play with it, carry it in their hands, and suffer it to twine itself round their limbs or bodies. The upper part of the body is blue, with a metallic lustre, passing into emerald green; a rich golden stripe runs down the spine, and one along each side; the under parts are blue; a white streak runs along the upper jaw, and near it one of black.

This Snake feeds on insects, small birds, nestlings, and eggs.

GENUS DRYINUS.

The genus Dryinus resembles the Dendrophis, excepting that a slender, snoutlike appendage projects from the muzzle, which is moveable, as in the

annexed sketch. The DRYINUS NASUTUS (Coluber nasutus, Russell) is an example.

GENUS DRYOPHIS.

In Dryophis the body is extremely slender, but the scales are all equal, and the muzzle is simply pointed. An American snake, (D. æneus, Spix,) is an example.

We may here observe, that the Greeks called Serpents, distinguished for celerity of motion, Acontias,* (javelin Snakes,) and the Romans, Jaculus, which has the same meaning. Lucan terms these Snakes Jaculi volucres, (flying javelin Snakes.) The term Acontias is applied by modern naturalists to a very different group of Reptiles, (See page 192.)

Dr. Smith, in his "Zoology of South Africa," figures, most admirably, and describes a tree Snake of that country, under the name of BOOMSLANGE, (Bucephalus Capensis,) separating it from the genus Dryophis, to which it is allied. This Snake, is regarded by the Hottentots as poisonous, yet erroneously; it has no poison fangs, but the posterior teeth are somewhat like fangs, in order to enable the Reptile to seize birds with more security. This Snake is subject to great variety of colouring; some are very beautifully variegated with olive, or yellow; some with pale brown, pink, and yellow; some are plainly brown. The eyes are large and full. (See engraving.)

"The Boomslange," says Dr. Smith, "is generally found upon trees, to which it resorts for the purpose of catching birds, upon which it delights to feed. The presence of a specimen in a tree, is, generally, soon discovered by the birds of the neighbourhood, which collect around it, and fly to and fro, uttering the most piercing cries; till one, more terror-struck than the rest, actually scans its lips, and, almost without resistance, becomes a meal for its enemy. During such a proceeding, the Snake is generally observed with its head raised about ten or twelve inches above the branch, round which its body and tail are intertwined, with its mouth open, and its neck inflated, as if anxiously endeavouring to increase the terror which, it would almost appear, it was aware would, sooner or later, bring within its grasp some one of the feathered group.

AKOVTIOV, (acontion,) jaculum, a javelin, or dart.