EPIDERMAL APPENDAGES, 32r 



reversed in sloughing ; the individual in question having 

 undergone long captivity in a close box during her journey 

 from West Africa, and arriving at the Zoological Gardens 

 in such a miserable plight that it was difficult to distinguish 

 species or colouring for many days. In this condition she 

 remained for five weeks, when one fine Sunday afternoon she 

 presented the Society with forty-six viperlings. 



Soon after this event she discarded her way-worn and 

 bedraggled garment, and shone resplendent in gorgeous 

 colouring, as presented to the reader in the coloured 

 illustration. 



Her portrait was not taken until some weeks afterwards, 

 when the horns were therefore a little dry and shrivelled again.' 

 With the new dress they presented a well-defined and 

 perfect curve, tapering to a point, and without any break in 

 their outline. By degrees they became curled in the manner 

 here represented. Her colours were of a rich prismatic hue 

 on the sides, where the brilliant tints are so blended that 

 to paint them is impossible. Only on the back and in the 

 darker markings can the pattern be fairly represented. Her 

 children all resembled her in their rich tints, and were so 

 handsome that one almost forgot their evil propensities. 



Forty of them died within a week. I begged hard for one 

 of the deceased. The keeper of course had no power in his 

 hands. All were wanted for scientific experimentalists.' 

 Alas, I was no scientist, but only a woman ! The following 

 Sunday, when I was at the Gardens, the forty-first baby viper 

 had just died. The Superintendent 'happened along,' and 

 was greeted with another appeal from mc. He would 

 ' consider of it ' and let mc know ' to-morrow.' ' Oh, why not 



