Another species is a very small green' frog, much like those found in
the hedges and under, trees, in Europe; b u tth is has in proportion a
larger head, and the under part o f the hind tegs are yellow spotted with
red«
Tho Pipa is about the size of a young rabbit about a fortnight old ; the
hind feet are webbed, and the toes longer than those before, by which it
ean leap and swim like a frog, and therefore differs in that respect from
the Other species of toads ; but its skin is very uneven, dark brown, and
marked with black spots. The pipa looks very heavy, and the inhabitants
suppose it to he venomous, and therefore treat it sometimes most:cruelly,
though it merits a better fate, for the particular .care which it takes of its
young brood, as it has been observed that the female deposits the eggs on
the back o f the Wale* where they are hatched*
The Jackee, or the Frog with a tail* has been already mentioned in the
sixteenth Letter ; and as I have also described in that letter some o f the most:
remarkable snakes and serpents, I will only add here a few more, and
begin with those, which* it is saidv are the most venomous-species at
Surinam, and therefore most necessary to he known to new-comers.
The Labarra serpent, which the Indians declare to be the most danger*
ous, when full grown, is said to be three feet; and half long, and four
inches in circumference at the middle^where it is largest; the neck and tail
being slender, the head’ broad and flat, the mouth wide, armed in the
upper jaws with two sharp slender tubular fangs,; The colour o f the
scales of this reptile is a light - brown, intermixed with bars of a dark
hrownr it is said: they conceal themselves sometimes in fences, under
boards and other timber, and the person who has the misfortune to be bit
by them expires in a few moments. There is a smaller sort of these set»
peats, about fourteen inches long, and the thickness of the ramrod o f a
gua i the scales ®f a dark shining brown, intermixed with whitespots; bat
the shape? o tth is snake is much like that of the large labarra, and perhaps
the difference: lies in the'sex, or m Che difference of age ; its poison is
equally dangerous as the? former.
The Aberuea is the Indian name ©f a serpent near three feet in length,
and about two inches in circumference; the head is covered with ©Wong
scales o f a whitish east, edged with black $ on the back are red, white,
and black spots aMèrMtel^y ; t h e ‘Maek and white scales are spotted with
red on the edges : its bite is said tobe fatal, but- happily its motion is vefy
slow.
The Rattle-Snake is ’said tb be sotfletirhés found at Surinam o f the
length of seveh oreighfc^feèt,>’and very thick about the middle, tapering
towards thé neck and tail head large,- flat, and broad, with a blunt
snott, wide nostrils, and Over thèiéyé# twb knobs; at the extremity Óf the
tail are several thin horny hollow rings joined together in a pyrathidical
forte, and when the reptile bécbteès irritated it- shakes them, which ocea*
slobs a solind like a rattle, by wbichthe passebgêr may be put on his guard,
particularly as thé rattlé-ènake ii sloW in its motion. It is said to perfoffa
Its 'attacks in thè following manner: ff coils itself up with its head erect,
and waying its tail constantly, and then the reptile darts upon its prey,
but npt at a greater distance than its Whole length. It is supposed that
every year an addittetiéd ring!-grows to the rattle, by Which also the
age of the serpent may be ascertained. I possess a rattle^snake with
thirteen rings, hot I have not heard that one was éVer taken with a Single
ring, therefore-, I suppose that they have in their first state, a rattle with
several r in g sjto 1 w hich. afterwards another ring may be yearly added«
This serpent’s skin is Covered with scales, which are more rough and rigid
oh the back than any other part. The colour of this reptile-is a dusky
orange, mixed with dark brown and black spots, of which colour is the
head ; the belly is of an ash colour, and the side has transverse scales : the
bite of this serpent is esteemed most dangerous ; their hooked teeth are o f
considerable length, and the tongue forked, and of a black colour.
The Scarlet-coloured Serpent when fall grown, is said to* be near fivé
feet in length, and about two inches in circumference* The upper part of
this reptile is of a scarlet colour, the,belly of a dull red: the bead is flat
and white,'and the tail slender ; it is said that this serpent is found coiled
Upon the trees, and waiting for its prey toi dart upon it ; but its vivid
lively- colour frequently advertises them of their danger,; its bite .is accounted
fatal. I have seen one preserved in spirits, of which the colour
was entirely faded.
The Garutta Serpent is, when full grown, about two fèét and a-half long,