land, and the coral islands of the Pacific. Mr. J. E. Gray affirms that they sleep on the shore coiled up, and that they have been surprised asleep on the calm surface of the tropical seas; but they are oftener seen associated in shoals, keenly pursuing the fishes which constitute their prey. Other authorities affirm that they rarely, if ever, leave the water, that no instance is on record of any having been caught on shore, and that they are incapable of living out of the sea. It is remarked by the Rev. M. John, that he never found a land, a river, or a tank-Snake with a flat tail; such as are sometimes found in rivers, have been brought in by the tide, and can live only a short time out of the salt-water. He further remarks that it is difficult to procure Sea-Snakes, for though often caught in nets, they are held in such dread by the native fishermen, that the offer of almost any inducement will scarcely procure them. The latter remark, however, scarcely agrees with Dr. Cantor's observations.
Dr. Russell describes the Marine Serpents in the water as active and elegant in their movements, but as possessing scarcely any power of locomotion on the land; they speedily die when brought ashore, or put into fresh water. He found in the belly of a female Hydrophis, nine perfectly formed young, inclosed each in its own enveloping membrane, from which circumstance we may infer that in common with other venomous Serpents, these are viviparous.
They are said not to be very ferocious, allowing themselves to be handled when taken out of the water, without manifesting a readiness
