NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED JN CA.NNANORE. 



299 



for some inches were markedly compressed, and the throat pouched. 

 If the snake was attentively observed at this time it was 

 noticed that the altered ventral contour with its bulging down- 

 wards, corresponded to an equal bulging upwards of the dorsal aspect, 

 which could only have been achieved through an arching of the spine. 

 This snake is active, and has always appeared to me very swift in its 

 movements, and I was much surprised therefore on June Gth when I 

 gave chase to one in full flight measuring 5 feet 9^ inches and caught 

 it up, and killed it. I paced the ground traversed by both, and found 

 I had run 38 yards whilst the snake covered 18. I frequently en- 

 countered it in the paddy fields, and have met as many as 7 in one 

 day. When it took to the water, it kept its head above water, and 

 could rarely be induced to immerse it. 



The male appears to grow to a greater length than the female 

 and this is especially interesting with reference to a remark of Dar- 

 win's, who says* he is informed by Dr. Giintherthat in snakes the males 

 are always smaller than the females. Of the 14 specimens measuring 6 

 feet and over in which the sex is recorded, 11 were males, and 3 females 

 and the longest male measured 7 feet 6£ inches against the 6 feet 6 

 inches of the longest female. 



Reference to the following table shows that the scales are subject to 

 much variation : — 



* « Descent of Man," p. 538. 



