ECHIDNA INORNATA.
This snake was killed in the Sneeubergen, or Snow-mountains, which are
situated immediately behind the village of GraafF Reynet, and was presented
to the expedition party by J. Lieb, Esq., the government surveyor of the
district.
Little is known of the habits of this Snake, save that, like the other species of the genus, it
is indolent, and heedless of the approach of man.
In addition to the species here figured, we shall, during the progress of these illustrations,
have occasion to furnish representations of two others—the one Vipera ocellata, Smith,* (not
Latreille), the other yet undescribed. The former has a projecting cylindrical scale, from a line
to a line and a half in length upon each eye-brow, and is readily to be distinguished from
Vipera cornuta, Daud, by having the under surface of the tail, whatever may be the age of the
specimen, covered with scales nearly similar in form to those on the remaining portion, and
faintly carinated. The latter, Vipera atropoides, exhibits a manifest resemblance to Vipera
atropos, Daud, having, like it, two rows of black spots along the middle of the back, and
some irregularly coloured variegations on the sides. It differs, however, in m an y material
points, more particularly as regards the form and proportions of the head, and the arrangement
of the scales, especially around and near the eyes.
Taking these into consideration, we will in future have to record six species of the genus
Vipera as inhabitants of South Africa, viz., Vipera arietans, M err.; V. atropos, L atr.;
V. cornuta, Daud ; V. inornata, Sm ith; V. ocellata, Smith ; V. atropoides, Smith : or if we
adopt the subdivisions proposed by Merrem and Wagler, which, in the present state of the
science, may probably be employed with advantage, these species will stand :■—Echidna
arietans,—E . atropos,—E . inornata,—E . atropoides,— Cerastes cornutus, and C. ocellatus.
The vipers, and one or two species of Elaps, are the only snakes of South Africa which
permit themselves generally to be closely approached without evincing any apparent concern;
the others either manifest a disposition to act on the offensive, or to fly; even an
unusual noise, without its cause being visible, is sufficient to ensure the retreat of the innocuous
ones. The different species of N aia and the Elaps lubricus, Merr., but particularly the
former, are always ready for the fight, and when their haunts are invaded, they often advance
upon the intruder with the head and anterior part of the body almost perpendicular, the neck
expanded, and an expression sufficiently indicative of the malignant purpose they have in view.
To witness such a proceeding, once fell to my own lot. Walking in the vicinity of Graham’s
Town, I happened to excite the attention of a N aia Haernachates, which immediately raised its
head, and warned me of my danger by the strength of its expiration; it then commenced an
advance, and had I not retired, I should, in all probability, have suffered, provided I had not
been fortunate enough to disable it, which possibly would not have happened, considering
that the species, in commonwith others of the genus, is extremely active. Even though
I retired, I was not satisfied the danger was past, as the flight of this snake’s enemy does
not always put a stop to its advance, when once commenced. An officer of the Cape corps,
upon whose accuracy the most implicit reliance was to be placed, informed me that he once
was chased twice round his waggon by an individual of the same species, and the pursuit might
have been prolonged had not a Hottentot disabled the enraged reptile by a blow from a
long stick.
* Magazine of Natural History, New Series, No. 14, page 92.