206 THE VIVARIUM. 
shields ; a large pree-ocular, and a series of six small shields below 
and behind the eye, which is entirely separated from the labials ; 
thirteen or fourteen upper labials, with very feeble pits. Scales 
in fifty-one to sixty-five rows; ventrals, 276 to 290; anal, 
entire; sub-caudals, fifty to seventy-nine. Pale brown above, 
with a dorsal series of rhomboidal dark spots, and dark brown 
reticulated lines on the sides; a lateral series of dark-brown 
ocelli with yellowish centres; yellowish beneath.” This snake 
comes from Cuba. Its tail is short. 
The Jamaica Yellow Boa (Epicrates tnornatus, Boulenger, or 
Chilabothrus inornatus, Dum. and Bibr.) is a hardy snake, 
common in its own country, and by no means rare in the various 
zoological gardens. It feeds well while in captivity, but is 
generally more or less spiteful. As already mentioned, it has 
bred in confinement. This Snake’s head is distinct from its 
neck, and covered with shields which are more or less regular. 
Its rostral is a little broader than it is deep. It has a pair of 
anterior and posterior frontals, the latter pair being sometimes 
broken up into small irregular shields. Its vertical shield, supra- 
ocular, pree-ocular, and loreal shields are large; the last are also 
elongated. It has from two to four post-oculars; its labials are 
not pitted. Its scales are arranged in about forty-two rows; its 
ventrals number from 260 to 286; and its sub-caudals from sixty 
to eighty. Mr. Boulenger’s description of the colour of this snake 
is “Yellow or pale olive anteriorly, frequently blackish-brown 
posteriorly ; more or less distinct spots or cross-bars on the body ; 
sometimes a pair of dark streaks along the neck; an ill-defined 
dark streak may be present behind the eye.’ The tail equals 
about one-sixth of the length of the entire animal. 
The Anaconda or Water Boa (EHunectes murinus) is supposed 
to be the largest of all Snakes. As its generic name implies, it 
is very fond of water, and while in captivity it generally spends 
the greater portion of its time in the tank. It has received many 
titles, such as the ‘“ Bull-Killer”’ (Watatoro) and the “ Deer- 
Swallower ” (41 Troga Venado) ; but its specific name, murinus, 
should remind us that its natural food consists of rodents and 
other animals of about the same size. It could no doubt kill 
a bull, for it has immense strength, and it might swallow a very 
