FREQUENCY: Rare ([Tropical Wilderness Forest])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Dungeon Level I])

NO. APPEARING: 11-20
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 9"
HIT DICE: 1
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (8' to 12')
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: I | 10 + 1

The jaculi (singular && plural) are agile serpents with chameleon-like
camouflage abilities. They are usually found in woods && forests for
they are basically arboreal in nature and feed on tree mosses and
insects, but some swarms have adapted their habitat to pillared halls
and the like. Although not naturally vicious, jaculi swarms are highly
territorial and excitable, resenting more than a transient intrusion into
what they regard as their territory. Because of their camouflage
abilities (only 1 chance in 4 of detection even when they are in clear
view) it is unlikely they will be seen before attack.

The serpent has a long muscular body and a broad, flat head with a
ridge of razor-edged bone projecting at either side. It can project itself
from any high point
with the force and accuracy of a javelin, surprising
i t s victim unless previously detected. I t s 'flying speed' is thus
high (51" rate), but once it has attacked in this manner it can make
no further attack from ground level and must crawl away up another
tree or pillar before it can attack again.
 

by Philip Masters