"There is another dangerous Snake called YELLOW SNAKE by the colonists, and Jaruk by the Yas natives. It attains a large size, and has the reputation of being very venomous, the bite (unless the piece bitten be immediately cut out) producing almost immediate death.

"The most deadly Snake in appearance, and, I believe, also in effect, is one of hideous aspect, called by the colonists the DEATH ADDER, and by the Yas natives Tammen, from having a small curved process at the end of the tail, or more correctly, the tail terminating in a small curved extremity, bearing some resemblance to a sting, and the Reptile is (erroneously) considered to inflict a deadly sting with it.

"This hideous Reptile is thick in proportion to its length; the eye is vivid yellow, with a black longitudinal pupil; the colour of the body is difficult to describe, being a complication of dull colours, with narrow blackish bands shaded off into the colours which compose the tinting of the back. The abdomen is slightly tinged with red. The head is broad, thick, and flattened. The specimen I examined measured two feet, two inches in length, and five inches in circumference. It is, I believe, an undescribed species. A dog that was bitten by one, died in less than an hour. The specimen that I examined was found coiled up near the banks of the Murrumbidgee river; and, being of a torpid disposition, did not move when approached, but quietly reposed in the pathway, with its head turned beneath the belly.

"It is said, that when cattle are bitten by a venomous Snake, they resort immediately to the water. A cow was found lying dead, near the river, at Gudarigby, during the time I visited the farm; and, from the appearances which the body presented, the stockkeepers formed an opinion, that its death was produced by the bite of a venomous Snake.”

These Snakes, and especially the former kinds, prove very annoying to stock-keepers, and persons residing

in the remoter parts of the colony, as they enter the huts or cabins, and lie concealed for weeks together, until discovered by accident.

"On the 19th of November," says Mr. Bennett, "I visited the farm at Gudarigby, the property of W. H. Dutton, Esq., in company with his brother, Mr. F. Dutton, and Mr. Manton. We remained the first night in the bark hut, erected on Mr. Manton's farm. Snakes of the black and brown species are very numerous at this place, no doubt arising from the location being close to the Murrumbidgee river. We had sufficient proof of the existence of these Reptiles, from seeing several which had been recently destroyed by the man on the farm. One had dropped from the back shed upon a man's bed during the night, and occasioned him to quit, and leave the Reptile in undisturbed possession for the remainder of the night. In the morning search was made; the Reptile discovered among the blankets, and killed. It was a Black Snake, more than three feet in length.

"The warmth of the valley in which the farm is situated, and its proximity to the river, render it an agreeable retreat for these Reptiles. We slept, however, during the night without experiencing any visits from them, though we fully expected to feel their cold bodies gliding over us."

GENUS CROTALUS.

The Crotaline group, or, in other words, the Rattlesnakes, now present themselves to our notice.

These celebrated Serpents are all peculiar to America. The head is covered with scales, but in one sub-genus with plates; a small depression is behind each nostril. The scuta beneath the tail are undivided; the extremity of the tail is furnished with a rattle, formed by the dry terminal scales, which present the appearance of a string of hollow, semi-opaque, quadrangular bells, received within each other in such a manner, that only a third of

each is visible; they vary in number according to age; the basal bell is the last formed, and the largest and one is said to be added yearly. When the tail is rapidly vibrated, these dry hollow portions rustle against each other, and produce a distinct whirring noise, which may be heard at some distance. Rattlesnakes, especially when irritated, exhale a disgusting odour. The peccary, however, is said to destroy and devour them, as does the common hog also; but horses and dogs avoid them. M. Bosc says, "I have often amused myself by trying to force my horse and dog to approach one of these animals, but they would sooner have allowed themselves to be knocked down upon the spot than come near them." These Reptiles are sluggish and inert in their movements; and, though highly venomous, seldom attempt to inflict an injury on man, unless molested by him. They never ascend trees, always capturing their prey on the ground. They usually rest coiled spirally, in paths, or clean spots in the woods, waiting for their prey, upon which they dart when within the proper distance. (See engraving.)

On the approach of man, the tail is vibrated rapidly, and the whirring noise produced; if farther irritated, the head becomes flattened, the throat and cheeks swell, the lips contract, the jaws open widely, displaying the horrid fangs, the tongue is darted out, and quivers with excitement, and the body swells and sinks, like a forge bellows, with rage. Yet it forbears to strike; farther irritation adopted, and the blow is struck: if, however, its foe retire, it uncoils its body, and creeps quietly away, but with erect tail, and sounding rattles. It would seem, if Kalm be correct, that horses and oxen sink under the bite of the Rattlesnake, sooner than dogs or men. Dogs, however, seldom survive. Captain Hall caused a Rattlesnake, four feet long, to be secured, and exposed some dogs to its bites: the first struck with its murderous fangs died in fifteen minutes; the second lingered in agony for two hours before death