t, being the largest known poisonous snake. It is equally
remarkable for the glowing radiance of its fearful beauty, displaying as
it does, when gliding amid the sunshine, all the prismatic colours.
Though generally remaining on the ground, it mounts trees with perfect
ease in search of its prey--birds or their eggs; while from the
overhanging bough it can dart down on the unwary passer-by.

It is said that furious battles sometimes occur between snakes of
different species,--that the boa will watch for the rattlesnake as it
issues from its hole,--or that the latter will sally forth, and, relying
on its envenomed fangs for victory, attack the huge boa as it glides by;
though, as no naturalists appear to have witnessed such combats, it may
be doubted whether they ever take place. But we may fancy how desperate
would be the strife between a python and the venomous bushmaster of
Demerara.

LABARRI, OR ELAPS LEMNISCATUS.

The labarri--another beautiful snake, adorned with the colours of the
rainbow--produces certain death by its envenomed bite. It, too, is a
tree-climber, and may be seen lying coiled up on a low, thick branch or
decayed stump, or sometimes on the bare ground, apparently selecting
spots where it can be least easily distinguished. Though generally
smaller than the bushmaster, it attains a length of eight feet or more.

WHIP SNAKES.

There are two or three species of whip snakes, or Dryadidae, remarkable
for the slender elegance of their forms, and in general for the great
beauty of their colouring, as well as for the rapidity of their
movements. The whip snake, having seized its prey, winds its light and
lithe body round its victim, coil upon coil, like the boa and anaconda,
and strangles it in its embrace.

The emerald whip snake (Philodryas viridissimus) is one of the most
beautiful. So slender is its body that, although two feet long or more,
it can coil itself up within a space not larger than the hollow of the
hand. It lives in trees, and may be seen sporting amid the branches;
but the moment it catches sight of a person, away it darts, scarcely
moving the branches and leaves amid which it makes its way.

THE GREEN SNAKE.

Delicate in form, and of the brightest grass-green--while, like the rest
of its family, perfectly harmless--the green snake is a great favourite
with the Brazilians; and as it is easily tamed, young girls may often be
seen carrying it about, winding it round their throa