372 MEMOIR ON AMPHIBIA. 



fallen fick among the Indians, I found myfelf obliged to 

 remain a few days with one of them in the neighbourhood 

 of Pine Log. During my convalefcence I took a walk 

 every morning in the neighbourhood, and one day when 

 I was following a pretty broad path, I perceived, at a 

 diftance, a ferpent lying acrofs the road in the fun. I had 

 a {tick in my hand, and drew near to kill it, but what 

 was my furprize, when, in the moment that I was about 

 to give the blow, the reptile perceived me, coiled upon 

 itfelf, and opened its large mouth, into which five ferpents, 

 which I had not till then obferved, becavife they were 

 lying along its body, rufhed into the gulph which I had 

 conceived opened for myfelf. I retired to one fide and 

 hid myfelf behind a tree, the reptile had crawled a few 

 paces, but hearing no further noife, and not perceiving me, 

 ftretched itfelf out afrefh. In a quarter of an hour the 

 young ones came out again. Satisfied with this obferva- 

 tion 1 advanced anew towards the animal, with intention 

 to kill it and examine the interior of its ftomach : but it 

 did not permit me to approach fo near as it did the firft 

 time, the young ones entered with ftill greater precipita- 

 tion into their retreat, and the boiquira fled into the grafs. 

 My fatisfadiion and aflonifliment were fo great that I did 

 not think of following it. 



Second Observation. — On my return to Philadel- 

 phia, I recalled to Mr. Peak's recolledion the proje£t 

 which we had formed the preceding winter, of going into 

 jerfey to fearch for the boiquira in his retreats. He con- 

 i'ented, and with the more readinefs, as he had juft loft the 

 one which he had kept alive five years and a half. He 

 in conlequence wrote to Bridgetown to Dr. Elmer. On 

 receiving an anfwer we ftarted in the month of February ; 

 the feafon was already advanced, but not fo as to render our 

 expedition fruitlefs. Gtizen Adet, rainifter of the French 



republic. 



