334 SNAKES. 



still pushing and rubbing his head, now under his blanket, 

 or against any projecting surface, under again, close to the 

 floor, restlessly on and on in these untiring perambulations ; 

 what can be the cause ? After a tedious while * Ophio ' — as 

 his admirers call him — varies his movements, but only to 

 turn the chin upwards and push his head sideways over 

 the shingle. Now the other side he pushes along : the action 

 is like that of a cat rubbing her head against your chair. 

 Now he turns his head completely over, so that the top of it 

 may come in for its share of rubbing ; and such for a 

 considerable time are his persistent movements, while we 

 watch him wonderingly, and at length point him out to the 

 keeper inquiringly. 



* Going to change,' said Holland. * That's the way they 

 always do.' 



To you and me, dear reader, the sight is novel and 

 interesting ; so let us continue to watch, glad that nothing 

 more serious is the matter with this rare and valuable snake 

 than doffing an old coat. 



And soon we see the skin separating at the lips, where, 

 no doubt, it has caused irritation and induced that incessant 

 rubbing. Now the entire upper lip is free, and the loose 

 portion laps back as Ophio pursues his course. Next we 

 see the skin of the under lip detaching itself; and that is also 

 reversed, the two portions above and below the jaw increas- 

 ing every moment and folding farther and farther back 

 with the ceaseless friction until they look like a cape or hood 

 round Ophio's neck, from which his clean bright head 

 emerges. Hitherto the process has been tedious, but now 

 the ribs are reached, and they take part in the work and 



