an twenty feet."

<i>Copper-head Snake</i>.

Name applied in Australia to <i>Hoplocephalus superbus</i>,
Gunth., a venomous snake which is very common in Tasmania,
where it is often called the <i>Diamond Snake</i> (q.v.).
In Victoria, it is often confused with the Black Snake;
unlike the latter, it is more common in the south than
in the north. It derives its popular name from the colour
of the head.

1885. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Natural History of
Victoria,' Decade i. pl. 2:

"In Tasmania the name Diamond snake is unfortunately given to
this species, for that name properly belongs to a perfectly
harmless snake of New South Wales, so that the numerous
experiments made in Tasmania to test the value of some
pretended antidotes, were supposed in London to have been made
with the true Diamond snake, instead of, as was the case, with
this very poisonous kind. . . . I have adopted the popular
name `copperhead' for this snake from a well-known vendor of a
supposed antidote for snake-bites."

1896. `The Melburnian,' Aug. 28, p. 54:

"Those heather lands round Caulfield and Oakleigh where the
copperhead snake basks, coiled on the warm silver sand."

<i>Death-adder</i>; also called <i>Deaf-adder</i>.

An Australian snake, <i>Acanthophis antarctica</i>. It is
usually found in hot sandy districts, and is supposed to be the
most venomous of the Australian snakes. Large specimens reach
a length of upwards of three feet, the body having a diameter
of about two inches: at the end of the tail is a short spine
popularly known as the animal's "sting."

1878. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria,'
Decade ii. pl. 12:

"The popular name seems to be indifferently Death Adder or Deaf
Adder. The harmless horny spine at the end of the tail is its
most dangerous weapon, in the popular belief."

<i>Diamond-Snake</i>.

Name applied in New South Wales and Queensland to <i>Python
spilotes</i>, Lacep., a non-venomous snake reaching a large
size. In Tasmania the same name is given to <i>Hoplocephalus
superbus</i>, Gray, a venomous snake more properly called the
<i>Copperhead Snake</i>.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 78:

"Charley killed a diamond snake, larger than any he had ever
seen before."

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip,' c. iii. p. 43:

"The diamond snake is that most dreaded by the natives."

1869. G. Krefft, `The Snakes of Australia,' p. 29:

"Diamond snakes are