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Show 1894.] OPHTDIA OF TRINIDAD, B.W.I. 511 minutely punctured with black. It much resembles the trailing branches of the shrubs which it rests upon. It has a peculiar habit of simulating the swaying of the branches under a gentle breeze, and it is only when one catches sight of the brilliant eyes that one realizes be is gazing at a beautiful tree-snake. W h e n about to seize its prey, which consists principally of lizards, this reptile projects its head in the direction of the unfortunate saurian, at which it stares intently for a few minutes, advancing at the same time-almost imperceptibly-and sometimes imparting to its head and neck the swaying motion above referred to. It next puts out its long, brown, yellow-margined tongue once or twice. Just when about to seize the lizard it pauses and puts its tongue out, points together, stiffly standing upwards, sometimes at nearly right angles to the snout. After resting a few seconds, often half a minute in this attitude, it darts forward and catches the lizard usually by the middle of the body and draws back again. Its actions up to this point are so deliberate that the observer is always surprised at the sudden movement, and w e have never been able to follow it well. One second the snake is simply watching the lizard, and the next he has it in his mouth ; how it got there, one can hardly tell, so rapidly is it done. The lizard is n o w suspended in mid air. The snake holds its victim in this position for some time, and then slowly working its jaws towards the head swallows it. These snakes are frequently 4 | feet in length, and, except when distended with eggs or after having devoured an unusually large morsel, are rarely thicker than an ordinary lead-pencil. They seldom attempt to bite, and never inflict a wound. They are called by the Creoles " Liguis," a corruption of "Bigoise"or "horsewhip." They are exceedingly difficult to observe when wild and often disappear in the most mysterious and uncanny manner when an attempt is made to catch them, so stealthily rapid are they in their movements. DIPS AS CENCHOA. This is another very peculiar and at the same time extremely beautiful serpent. It is often 3 | feet in length and even longer. Its triangular-shaped body is marked with a series of saddle-like dark spots on a light-coloured ground. Its head is as blunt and round as the Horsewhip's is acuminate. Its eyes are very prominent. The Dipsas is even thinner than the Horsewhip, and on account of its attenuated appearance and its markings, which somewhat resemble those of Lachesis muta, is known by the Creole labourers as " Mapepire corde violon," or " Fiddlestring Mapepire." It is very inoffensive, and lives almost entirely upon the tiny Gona-todes vittatus, which frequents old walls, trunks of large trees with a rough bark, aud tree-parasites and orchids. The growers of the latter plants frequently find a Dipsas amongst their treasures. In captivity it is of a most retiring disposition, during the daytime coiling its great length in a little heap in one corner of its cage. At night it moves about in a tolerably lively and a very graceful |