Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/199

Rh

More than half of the total number of species belonging to the Order Ophidia are of this Family, which is the most extensive of all the natural groups of Reptiles. They are widely scattered over the regions of both hemispheres, extending nearly to the limits of the Frigid Zones, though, like other Reptiles, most abundant in the tropics. Few of them attain a large size; but their form is for the most part slender and elegant, and many are adorned with the most brilliant hues and reflections.

The true Snakes are destitute of poison-fangs; they have two rows of teeth in the palate, and a similar row in each jaw; the head is covered with broad plates, the under parts with parallel shields or scuta, which beneath the tail are arranged in two series; the tail is lengthened, tapered, and destitute of any terminal appendage; there are no spurs or other vestiges of limbs, either externally or internally.

The prey of the Snakes consists of any small animals which they can procure; lizards and frogs, small birds, mice, and shrews, are the food of the smaller kinds, and the larger devour rats, voles, and poultry; eggs and milk are delicacies with these reptiles. They are remarkably agile in their