440 SNAKES. 



young ones. This species has sometimes produced young 

 and eggs at the same time. 



A 'garter snake' {Tropidonotus ordi?iatJcs). 



A boa constrictor had eight pretty little active snakelings 

 that at two days old pretended to constrict my fingers, 

 and forcibly enough to prove their powers. 



On two occasions at the Gardens within the time 

 specified, hybrids have been born between Epicratis 

 angulifer and CJiilobotJirus inornattis, and I can but think 

 that occurrences of this nature must happen among snakes 

 in their wild state occasionally, which may throw some 

 light on the perplexities of classifiers. 



In August 1878, three were born alive; and in recording 

 the event the Secretary to the Zoological Society, P. Lutley 

 Sclater, Esq., Ph.D., F.R.S., etc., writes that there can be no 

 question as to the pairing of these two snakes, both in the 

 same cage, and as there was no male Epia'atis in the 

 collection. Three were alive and six bad eggs were produced. 



In September 1879, two more hybrids w^ere born between 

 the same pair; who, at any rate, remained constant to 

 each other. 



Of the venomous serpents that have fallen under my 

 own notice at the Zoological Gardens, the little Indian 

 viper {Echis carinatd) had three young ones in July 

 1875. Only two survived a few weeks. They changed 

 their coat at an early day, but ate nothing ; nor did the 

 mother, who soon died. One may mention here that the 

 vipers in collections rarely do survive long after giving birth 

 to young. This may be only owing to an unhealthy con- 

 dition in captivity, but merits inquiry. 



