RINGED SNAKE. 51 



one of the hinder legs, and immediately afterwards another 

 of the Snakes took forcible possession of the fore-leg of the 

 opposite side. Each continued its inroads upon the poor 

 frog's limb and body until at length the upper jaws of the 

 two Snakes met, and one of them in the course of its pro- 

 gress slightly bit the jaw of the other ; this was retaliated, 

 though evidently without any hostile feeling ; but after one 

 or two such accidents, the most powerful of the Snakes com- 

 menced shaking the other, which still had hold of the frog, 

 with great violence, from side to side, against the sides of the 

 box. After a few moments'" rest, the other returned the at- 

 tack, and at length the one which had last seized the frog, 

 having a less firm hold, was shaken off, and the victor swal- 

 lowed the prey in quiet. No sooner was this curious contest 

 over than I put another frog into the box, which was at 

 once seized and swallowed by the unsuccessful combatant. 



The frog is generally alive not only during the process of 

 deglutition, but even after it has passed into the stomach. I 

 once saw a very small one, which had been swallowed by a large 

 Snake in my possession, leap again out of the mouth of the 

 latter, which happened to gape, as they frequently do imme- 

 diately after taking food. And on another occasion, I heard 

 a frog distinctly utter its peculiar cry several minutes after 

 it had been swallowed by the Snake. In taking lizards or 

 birds, it always, as far as my own observation goes, swallows 

 the head foremost. After it has taken its food, it usually 

 remains inactive for many days, not usually seeking a fresh 

 meal until the former one is digested. So exclusively are all 

 Serpents animal feeders, that they not only will not take, but 

 cannot digest, vegetable matters. This is shown in a very 

 striking manner by a fact which I have witnessed in the case of 

 a Boa which was in the menagerie formerly kept at the Tower. 

 This creature was accustomed to have fowls given to it ; and 

 after this food was digested, and the remains were voided, 



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