32 SNAKES, 



position, and then draw it into his mouth so gradually that 

 we scarcely comprehended how it disappeared. The six 

 rows of small teeth form six jaws so to speak, each one of 

 which advanced a very little, while the other five were en- 

 gaged in holding firmly. In those largest pythons which 

 have the little bone in front between the two upper jaw- 

 bones (intermaxillary) we may say there are seveft jaws. As 

 those gigantic snakes have to deal with proportionately 

 large and strong prey, they are thus enabled to retain and 



manage it. 



In the graphic language of Professor Owen let me re- 

 capitulate. 



The mouth can be opened laterally or transversely, as in 

 insects, as well as vertically, as in other vertebrates. The 

 six jaws are four above and two below, each of which can 

 be protruded or retracted independently of the others. 

 ' The prey having been caught and held, one jaw is then 

 unfixed by the teeth of that jaw being withdrawn and 

 pushed forward, when they are again unfixed farther back 

 upon the prey; another jaw is then unfixed, protruded, and 

 re-attached, and so with the rest in succession. This move- 

 ment of protraction, being almost the only one of which they 

 are susceptible, while stretched apart to the utmost by the 

 bulk of the animal encompassed by them : and thus by 

 their successive movements, the prey is slowly introduced 

 into the gullet.'^ 



This working of the jaws would be almost imperceptible 

 excepting to a very close observer. In the lower jaw- 

 bones the independent action can be more readily perceived 



1 Odontogi-aphy. By Richard Owen. London. 



