1887. R. M. Praed, `Longleat of Kooralbyn,' c. xx. p. 199:
"A whip-snake . . . reared itself upon its lithe body, and made a dart at Barrington's arm."
1890. Lyth, `Golden South,' c. iii. p. 24:
"I saw a large `whip-snake' lying on the path."
<i>Tiger-Snake</i>.
Name applied in Australia and Tasmania to <i>Hoplocephalus curtus</i>, Schlegel, but this species is often also known in the latter as the <i>Carpet Snake</i> (q.v.). The popular name is derived from the cross-banded colouring along the body, and also from its activity. It varies much in colour from a dark olive green to a light yellowish brown, the darker cross bands being sometimes almost indistinguishable. It may reach a length of four feet, and is viviparous, producing about thirty young ones in January or February.
1875. `The Spectator' (Melbourne), Aug. 21, p. 190, col. 1:
"On Tuesday a tiger-snake was seen opposite the door of the
Sandridge police court."
1885. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria,' Decade i. pl. 3:
"This species, which goes under the colonial name in Victoria of Tiger snake, from its tawny cross banded colouring and ferocity, is well known to frequently inflict bites rapidly fatal to men and dogs. . . . In Tasmania this is popularly called `Carpet snake,' a name which properly belongs to the harmless snake so called on the mainland."