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Show 2 2 6 DR. H. GADOW o n MEXICAN [June 6, Y ip e r id .®.- O r o t a l in ^e , taken together, occur all over Mexico, as is to be expected of a group which ranges from Massachusetts and British Columbia to Argentina, but they fall into two lots :- I. Northerners, with their archaic centre in Sonoraland. Ancistrodon is chiefly Nearctic; but of the terrestrial forms A. bilineatus extends along the Pacific side of Mexico, including Tres Mai'ias Islands, to Yucatan and Guatemala. Of Sistrurus, east of the Rocky Mountains, S. ravus has been described by Cope from Vera Cruz. Crotalus, the main genus, radiates out from the tablelands of Arizona ; C. terrificus (horridus of some authors) is the only species which extends right through Mexico to the Isthmus, and thence right into Argentina, avoiding, however, the moist and wooded Tierra Caliente. It is the only Rattlesnake in South America. C. triseriatus is confined to Mexico's mountains, ranging from the Nevado de Colima right across to Citlaltepetl, where I have found it at an altitude of 12,500 feet. II. Southerners.-Lachesis, an essentially Neotropical genus, a few species of which extend into the Eastern and Western States below the plateau. I . lansbergi has the widest distribution, and it is the only Pit-viper which has entered the Lesser Antilles, the larger and older islands being free from poisonous snakes. The Rattlers, or " Viboras de cascabel," are not much feared, being " manzitos " (rather tame), meaning sluggish and not inclined to strike unless provoked; moreover, they always try to give fair warning with the rattle, which they sound only when coiled up and prepared to strike, but not when crawling away as they generally attempt doing. The Lachesis lanceolatus, the " Fer de lance " of Martinique, &c., " Rabo de hueso " or Bone-tail of the Mexicans, on account of the curiously coloured and spike-like tip of the tail, behaves quite differently. It is very quick, highly irascible, and even known to make for its pursuer, therefore much dreaded. In fact the few cases of snake-bite which I could ascertain, mostly fatal, were due to this species. Typhlopidce.-Central and South American, Atlantic Mexican and Antillean *. Glauconiidce.-Remnantsof Sonoran to Neotropical distribution; they may reasonably be expected to be found in the Antilles. Boidce. 1. Xerophile Sonoran, not Antillean. 2- Hygropliile Central South American, Mexican Tierra Caliente, and Antillean. Resume of the Distribution of Ophidia. • the l)r1csent Pm'P°se only those Snakes are considered Antillean which m the Greater Antilles. The Lesser Antilles, entirely volcanic and of much yo |
