566 SNAKES. 



door when raised, he, one of the most venomous snakes in 

 existence, would be through in a moment, creating a 

 stampede indeed among the visitors, to say nothing of 

 danger both to them and to himself He well recognised a 

 change of guardianship Avhen poor Holland was compelled 

 from ill-health to resign his place ; and not even yet, in 

 spite of the kindest treatment, will he trust his present 

 keeper as he trusted Holland. During the interregnum and 

 frequent change of attendants, his nerves were tried in a 

 manner that he has been slow to recover. 



The Hamadryad's appointed diet is one ring snake per 

 week ; but ' Ophi,' as we now call him, is occasionally 

 required — and with no sacrifice of his principles either — to 

 eat an extra snake to satisfy the curiosity of some dis- 

 tinguished visitor. Sometimes, too, colubers are plentiful, 

 and two small ones are not too much for his ten or twelve 

 feet of appetite. This splendid serpent has rewarded care by 

 remaining in perfect health, and growing several feet. He 

 was between eight and nine feet long when he came, and is 

 now not far short of twelve, and proportionately larger 

 in circumference. Sometimes during winter, when ring 

 snakes are scarce, ' Ophio' is compelled to fast ; for, as 

 related p. 62, he is not to be tempted with other food. 

 During the first year of his residence in the Gardens, the 

 supply was good, and he ate no less than eighty-two fellow- 

 creatures before the winter was well over. Towards spring, 

 however, the supply ran short, and only two more 

 remained for him. He had now fasted two entire weeks, 

 and looked hungry and eager. The keeper ofi"ered him 

 a guinea pig, at which he took great offence, spreading 



