SNAKES. 1938 
the right hand is fastened by means of the spring bolt and the 
buttons already described. If the Vivarium is intended to reach 
to the ceiling of the room, the doors need not extend to quite the 
same height ; but the space between their tops and the ceiling 
can be filled in with woodwork, in which ventilators have been 
made, capable of being closed or opened at will. The openings 
which go to form the ventilators must be covered, on the inside, 
with finely-perforated zine. 
This Vivarium of course will be built high or low in the recess 
according to the height of the cupboard underneath. If it be 
high, I will here venture to give the amateur Snake-keeper, who 
has not had much experience in these matters, a caution, viz., in 
going to this case he should see that his face be well above the 
floor of the Vivarium, for an angry or vindictive Snake might 
give him a bite in the face as he incautiously opens the door. He 
ought to stand on a stool or chair as he attends to his charges, 
especially when they have not been tamed. 
If the recess spoken of be empty, the Vivarium can be built at 
the most convenient height. In the case of the two cupboards, 
the upper one may possibly be converted very easily into a suit- 
able Vivarium ; in that of the single cupboard, a wise division can 
probably be made which will leave the lower part still as a cup- 
board (the top shelf of which may be used as a stand for the 
lamp), the upper division being converted into a Vivarium. 
Of course many modifications of the cases just described can be 
made. The internal arrangements of these cupboard Vivaria 
should be the same as those already suggested. 
These Snakes may be kept temporarily in large boxes (and 
very often are so confined), but they must under these cireum- 
stances be supplied with artificial heat. This necessary warmth 
can be obtained (1) by placing within the boxes, together with 
the Snakes, india-rubber bottles or bags containing hot water, 
but not so hot as to hurt the Reptiles; or (2) the boxes may be 
provided with two bottoms, as already described, and placed over 
asmall lamp. The latter arrangement, as a rule, is the more 
convenient, for the hot water bottles need frequent periodical 
attention. Each of the boxes should be furnished with a ther- 
mometer, so that the heat may be properly regulated. 
a 
