36 
their natural behavior by the hour, without 
detecting any sign from them that my presence 
was noted. Again, while studiously observing 
my pets, Petro has suddenly approached the 
box to speak to me, when, presto, every snake 
was all activity either in flight or on the defen- 
sive; his sudden appearance had instantly at- 
tracted their attention, and alarmed them till 
they sought safety in flight, or coiled for fight. 
The snake’s eyes are lidless; they are, how- 
ever well protected by a thin, transparent skin, 
which covers the eye like the crystal of a watch. 
This protecting skin comes away with the 
“slough” during the act of “shedding.” You 
will notice how well the sight is guarded if you 
examine this fine specimen of “shed skin” that 
I removed from a large black snake. 
The sight is deficient. As a rule, objects 
must have motion to attract the attention of a 
snake, though in some instances the tongue acts 
as a reliable guide in distinguishing natural 
food from other objects. I have repeatedly 
dropped live food in my snake box and I have 
carefully noted what followed. I have observed 
that if the unfortunate victim remained quiet, 
the snakes gave it but indifferent attention, 
even gliding over it at times as though really 
unaware of its presence But as soon as the 
captive moved about, then, alas for it, the 
snakes instantly gave chase, and ere long the 
poor victim was seized by one, and frequently 
by two or more of its relentless pursuers. Now 
