Skull (exact length 5i Inches) prepared from the head of the twenty-four- foot python 

 {Python reticxdatus). It is on exliibition as representative of the non-poisonous type of 

 serpent, showing the relatively equal teeth none of which are grooved to carry poison, but all 

 curved backward better toehold the prey until the body is firmly coiled about it. Python pre- 

 sented to the Museum by Bri?r. Gen. George S. Anderson. Skulls prepared by Adolph Elwyn 



astonishing matter, that is, 

 the trachea, which lies along 

 the floor of the throat and 

 mouth, braced with its 

 many cartilaginous rings so 

 that it can be kept open 

 notwithstanding the pres- 

 sure of the prey upon it, is 

 pushed forward imtil the 

 glottis is outside of the 

 mouth in the air, some- 

 times an inch and a half 

 beyond the jaws. The won- 

 der therefore is not so much 

 in the swallowing perform- 

 ance itself as in the struc- 

 tures which have been 

 Skull of bushmaster (Lachesis muius) - actual length evolved to meet the needs of 



two inches — typical of the venomous snake. It shows this type of animal. 



the grooved fangs that carry ihv. i)oison. The skull of 



the poisonous snake; differs from that of the non-poisonous (in addition to the presence of 



fangs) in having the skull bone to which the teeth are attached (maxilla) movable in such 



manner as to throw the fangs into position for striking as the mouth is opened 



114 



