SNAKES 103 



contraction the snake is like a piece of bamboo longitudin- 

 ally dissected, and is buoyed up in such a manner as to 

 explain the animal's parachute-like descent. 



Many snakes, when irritated, inflate their necks. In 

 the Cobras, in which this power is highly developed, the 

 expansion is supported by the front ribs, which are longer 

 than those behind. 



As in the case of Lizards, snakes are in the habit of 

 periodically changing their " skin," the outer layer of the 

 horny epidermis being cast entire, with the exception of 

 very large specimens. The animal, a week or so before 

 shedding, refuses food, becomes languid, and, as the eyes 

 become covered with an opaque film, it appears almost 

 blind. The " skin," which is turned inside out in the 

 process, is got rid of by the snake rubbing itself against 

 rough surfaces, and therefore, in the case of captive speci- 

 mens, their cage should be provided with rockwork, bark, 

 or branches, to assist them in the operation. The periods 

 elapsing between each moult, as may be seen from the 

 following records, relating to the frequency in a number 

 of healthy specimens in our Zoological Gardens, varies 

 considerably according to the individual. 



(a) Reticulated Python, Python reticulatus. 



Shed on May 11, July 31, September 14, November 

 4, January 24, March 14. 



(b) Reticulated Python, Python reticulatus. 



February 26, March 21, June 2, August 3, October 

 30, November 4, January 26. 



(c) Indian Python, Python molurus. 



June 14, December i, March 9, April 26. 



