49 
uncomfortably tight, Nature provides a new 
epidermis and enables the snake to cast or 
‘shed’ its old skin. Previous to this expe- 
rience the snake appears to be ‘stone blind,’ 
because the protecting skin over the eyes be- 
comes loose and dead, giving to those organs a 
bluish white appearance as though the sight 
was entirely lost. At this time the snake seeks 
seclusion, seeming to realize the fact that it 
moves about at a serious disadvantage and risk 
while its sight is covered by the loose, opaque 
skin. Thus, being unable to distinguish clearly 
objects about it the snake patiently awaits the 
gradual loosening of its entire epidermis in 
some quiet shelter. In young snakes but a 
short time elapses during the whole process of 
‘shedding,’ while in adults a week or two 
passes during the preparation and execution of 
this change. While awaiting this peculiar ex- 
perience in a snake’s life the subject feeds but 
little, evidently realizing its handicapped con- 
dition, and safely sheltered in some safe retreat, 
it seldom ventures forth till able to ‘cast’ its 
old skin and appear in a new dregs, bright and 
attractive and in full enjoyment again of all 
its faculties. 
When the skin is ready to be ‘cast’ it parts 
about the jaws first and can then be easily 
pushed off the body. The snake now leaves its 
seclusion and by pushing its way among weeds, 
vines and other obstructions in its path, it soon 
frees itself from its cumbersome old skin, turn- 
