EPIDERMAL APPENDAGES. ZZI 



The first time I watched the process was with the celebrated 

 Hamadryad soon after It was installed as a distinguished 

 inmate at the Zoological Gardens. The interest attached to 

 this OpJuophagiis or snake-eater had caused me to observe 

 it on all possible occasions ; and as the whole front of its 

 cage was clear glass at that time, the spectator could easily 

 see all that occurred within. 



Will the reader once more accompany me in imagination 

 to the Gardens, and see how a snake performs Its toilet t I 

 have watched many since then, and have observed the same 

 proceeding In them all, those in good health and able to 

 assist themselves ; in others it is a literal desquamation or 

 peeling off of scales or fragments in a dry state. Encouraged 

 by the very recent statement in a highly scientific journal, 

 that no one Is supposed ever to have witnessed the sloughing 

 of snakes, I venture to again describe what I saw, having 

 already done so in the Dublin University Magazine in 

 Dec. 1875, and In Aunt Judy s Magazine (Sept. 1874), and 

 elsewhere. 



We stand before the cage of the interesting Hamadryad 

 {Ophiophagiis elaps). His name at once tells us that he Is 

 fond of trees as well as of snakes ; but, alas ! there Is no 

 tree in his cage, not even an old bough on which to exercise 

 his climbing propensities. He is wonderfully restless to-day, 

 crawling ceaselessly about as if In search of something. 

 This, however, cannot be his object ; for his head is not raised 

 In observation, but is close to the shingle, as if too heavy to 

 lift. He seems to be pushing it before him in a very strange 

 manner, and Is evidently suffering discomfort of some sort. 

 All round his cage he goes, against the edge of the tank, 



