g the
whole length of the tail underneath.

1799. D. Collins, `Account of New South Wales' (edition
1802), vol. ii. p. 189 [Bass Diary at the Derwent, Tasmania]:

"The most formidable among the reptiles was the black snake
with venomous fangs."

[This refers to some species of Hoplocephalus, and not to the
Australian Black Snake, which does not occur in Tasmania.]

<i>Black and white ringed Snake</i>.

Name applied to <i>Vermicella annulata</i>, Gray, the
characteristic colouration of which consists of a series of
alternating dark and light rings. It is found especially in
the dry, warmer parts of the interior.

<i>Brown Snake</i>.

Name given to three species of the genus <i>Diemenia</i>-- (1)
the Common Brown Snake, <i>D. superciliosa</i>, Fischer; (2)
the small-scaled Brown Snake, <i>D. microlepidota</i>, McCoy;
and (3) the shield-fronted Brown Snake, <i>D. aspidorhyncha</i>,
McCoy. All are venomous, and the commonest is the first, which
is usually known as the Brown Snake.

1890. A. H. S. Lucas, `Handbook of the Australasian
Association for the Advancement of Science,' Melbourne, p. 71:

"The most abundant of these are the tiger snake,
<i>Hoplocephalus curtus</i>, the most widespread, active,
and dangerous of them all: the brown snake, <i>Diemenia
superciliosa</i>, pretty generally distributed."

<i>Carpet Snake</i>.

Name applied in Australia to <i>Python variegata</i>, Gray,
a non-venomous snake reaching a length of ten feet. The name
has reference to the carpet-like pattern on the scales.
The animal crushes its prey to death, and can hang from
branches by means of its prehensile tail. In Tasmania,
the name is unfortunately applied to a venomous snake,
<i>Hoplocephalus curtus</i>, Schlegel.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' c. i. p. 16:

"Brown brought a carpet snake and a brown snake with yellow
belly."

1878. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of
Victoria,' Decade ii. pl. 13:

"The pattern has some resemblance to some of the commoner sorts
of Kidderminster carpets, as suggested by the popular name of
Carpet Snake . . . the name . . . is, unfortunately, applied
to the poisonous Tiger Snake in Tasmania, producing some
confusion."

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, p. 294:

"One of the snakes most common is the Australian python
(<i>Morelia variegata</i>), the largest snake found in
Australia, which here in Northern Queensland may even
attain a length of more th