FEEDING A PYTHON. 75 
natives, prospectors and hunters of instances, but I always took 
them cum grano salts. 
One instance, however, came within my experience which 
might have resulted in a Jonah-like performance. A plucky 
little Kafir boy, of twelve years, attacked a Python with his 
kerrie. In endeavouring to deal it a blow on the head, it got a 
grip of his leg with its tail, and was instantly round his body. 
His cries brought us to the spot. We unwound the Python, and 
beyond a dreadful fright, the boy was little the worse, except for 
a bite on the shoulder. The snake was only twelve feet in 
length. If it had been larger it would have, doubtless, crushed 
the boy’s ribs before our arrival. 
Pythons will show fight when wounded or cornered, and at 
these times it is distinctly dangerous for a man, if alone, to tackle 
them. 
A friend of mine wounded a Python, and in his excitement 
rushed forward to despatch it, but it came at him with gaping 
mouth. He involuntarily put up his hands to save his face. The 
Python seized his hand, and in his terror, my friend dragged back 
with all his might, and, before we could release him, the sharp 
re-curved teeth lacerated his hand dreadfully. The wounds 
eventually healed all right. 
FEEDING A PYTHON. 
Pythons in captivity as a general rule refuse to eat, and 
consequently they have to be fed artificially. At various times 
we have had live Pythons at the Port Elizabeth Museum, but in 
no single instance have we ever succeeded in inducing them to 
eat. At the Natal Government Museum we also kept Pythons, 
but were obliged to feed them artificially. I kept them for years 
at my residence, with like results. However, I have found lately 
they will if kept cosy and warm, often seize and swallow young 
chickens and fowls. Then after some time they will readily 
seize, constrict, and devour rabbits, guinea pigs and rats. None 
of these creatures show the slightest alarm at the presence of a 
Python in the same cage. When captured and constricted death 
is rapid and painless. At the Port Elizabeth Museum it was our 
practice to feed them once a fortnight. The Python was carried 
outside. One man seized its tail, another the middle part of 
