ACONTIAS

ACON'TIAS, noun [Gr. a dart.]1. A species of serpent, called dart-snake, or jaculum, from its manner of darting on its prey. This serpent is about three feet in length; of a light gray color with black spots, resembling eyes; the belly perfectly white. It is a native of Africa and the Mediterranean isles; is the swiftest of its kind, and coils itself upon a tree, from which it darts upon its prey.2. A comet or meteor resembling the serpent.

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acontias. Acontias, n. the jaculus or dart snake

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‖A‐con″ti‐as (�), n. [] (Zoöl.) Anciently, a snake, called dart snake; now, one of a genus of reptiles closely allied to the lizards.