Almost as much dreaded as the jararaca is the enormous cuanacouchi
(Lachesis mutus), or bushmaster, as it is called in Demerara. Its
proper name is the curucucu. It sometimes reaches to a length of
fourteen feet, being the largest known poisonous snake. It is equally
remarkable for the glowing radiance of its fearful beauty, displaying as
it does, when gliding amid the sunshine, all the prismatic colours.
Though generally remaining on the ground, it mounts trees with perfect
ease in search of its prey--birds or their eggs; while from the
overhanging bough it can dart down on the unwary passer-by.
It is said that furious battles sometimes occur between snakes of
different species,--that the boa will watch for the rattlesnake as it
issues from its hole,--or that the latter will sally forth, and, relying
on its envenomed fangs for victory, attack the huge boa as it glides by;
though, as no naturalists appear to have witnessed such combats, it may
be doubted whether they ever take place. But we may fancy how desperate
would be the strife between a python and the venomous bushmaster of
Demerara.