346 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



inserts the hooked swallowing teeth in the flesh of the 

 victim and pulls the jaw bones back into place. The 

 operation is repeated with the other side of the head. 

 This process of dislocation working in alternation while 

 the agouti is pulled into the mouth and down the throat 

 which stretches to receive it. During this operation the 

 poisonous fangs assist. The prey is steadily engulfed, 

 though the distended skin of the reptile marks its prog- 

 ress down the latter's body. The snake yawns lazily 

 and the distended jaws assume their normal position. 

 An appetite of a fortnight has been satisfied. With 

 progress slower than before the reptile drags its way 

 over the mossy trail, stopping occasionally to drink the 

 moisture from a concave leaf on the return to the lair. 



Suddenly the snake throws its body into a coil and 

 glares savagely up the valley while the tail beats a rapid 

 tattoo — the posture of defense. 



That strange trembling of the ground again which 

 betokens harm, and from where? 



But what glow is this that comes during the hours 

 allotted to creatures of the night, changing the palm 

 leaves previously bathed in blue to ruddy, coppery tinge ? 

 A great red column gushes skyward from Pelee. A 

 mighty sound as of thunder rends the air, while high 

 above, a tumbling mass of vapors rush across the 

 heavens and draw an impenetrable canopy. Then in 

 the light of volcanic fires comes a withering blast of hot 

 and deadly vapor down the valley. A shower of bombs 

 crashes through the trees and lies hissing and steaming 

 upon the damp, rich soil. 



In their terror the forest dwellers flee blindly and in 

 vain. Through the ravine comes pouring a torrent of 

 boiling mud, while a choking dust falls heavily, entomb- 

 ing the jungle and its life. 



