. Text-book of zoology for junior students. Zoology. DIVISIONS OF EEPTILIA. 269 (4.) The Culiibrina comprise a great number of altogether innocuous Snakes, in which the superior are proviiled with solid teeth only, and there are no fangs. The head in the Colubrine Snakes is not much wider tlian the neck, and is covered with large shields (fig. 193, B). Tlie Colubrine Snakes are cosmopolitan in their distribution, and an excellent example is the common Kinged Snake [Coluber or Tropidonotus natrix) of Britain, a [lerfectly harmless animal, which is commonly found iu damp situations, and
. Text-book of zoology for junior students. Zoology. DIVISIONS OF EEPTILIA. 269 (4.) The Culiibrina comprise a great number of altogether innocuous Snakes, in which the superior are proviiled with solid teeth only, and there are no fangs. The head in the Colubrine Snakes is not much wider tlian the neck, and is covered with large shields (fig. 193, B). Tlie Colubrine Snakes are cosmopolitan in their distribution, and an excellent example is the common Kinged Snake [Coluber or Tropidonotus natrix) of Britain, a [lerfectly harmless animal, which is commonly found iu damp situations, and whicli lives mainly upon frogs. Closely allied to this is tlie Black Snake {Dascanion constriHor) of North America, wlaich a length of from three to five I'eet, but is perfectly harmless, so far as man is concerned. (5.) The Pythonina comprise the well-known serpents termed the Boas, Pythons, Anacondas, and Rock-snakes. The memliers of this group are the largest of all living Snakes, attaining a length of certainly over twenty feet. Their bite is not venomous, but they are nevertheless highly dangerous and destructive animals, owing to tlieir great size and enormous muscular power. They seize their prey and coil themselves round it in numerous folds, by tightening which tliey gradually reduce tlieir victim to the condition of a shapeless bolus, fit to be swallowed. The dental apparatus is extremely powerful giving a firm hold for the constriction of the prey. They possess rudimentary hind-liniljs, terminating in horny anal spurs, which co-operate with the preliensile tail in enabling the to suspend itself from trees. The true Boas and Anacondas are Soutli Anierican, but the Pythons are inhabitants of Southern Asia and Africa, Order III, Lacertilia, The third order of Rejitiles is that of the Lacertilia, comprising all the animals whicli are properly known as Lizards, together with some snake - hke creatures, such as the Blind-worm, They are distinguished by th
Size: 2300px × 1087px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1885
