264 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Vol. XV11. 



Sloughing, — Miss Hopley* mentions one casting its skin about once 

 a month on an average. This specimen was caged in Regent's Park, 



London, I believe. 



Disposition. — It is undoubtedly when provoked a very fierce snake, 

 and if brought to bay will assume the offensive with great courage and 

 determination ; but this side of its nature is' rarely exhibited, as, like 

 other snakes, it prefers to acknowledge man's supremacy by seeking 

 swift escape when this offers. I have many times jumped into the 

 middle of its coils when I have seen it enjoying a siesta, but have never 

 been menaced, or struck at once, the reptile's acknowledgment of the 

 rude awakening being manifested by speedy disappearance. On occa- 

 sion, however, and especially if reasonable chances of escape are denied 

 it, it will attack with great malice. Father Dreckman once chased 

 a specimen nearly eight feet long, and managed to place his foot over 

 the hole it was making for. Baulked in its attempt to escape, it coiled 

 itself up and jumped straight at his face. Luckily Father Dreckman 

 drew back his head in time to evade a blow in the face, but. the reptile 

 fastened itself on to his shoulder with such purpose that its teeth 

 penetrated not only his clothes, but actually lacerated the skin beneath. 

 On another occasion when the same observer was rendering assistance 

 to a hatchling which was trying to emerge from its egg, the vicious 

 little creature resenting interference bit him in the finger, and actually 

 drew blood. Mr. Hampton tells me that once when attempting to cap- 

 ture one he found in a drain it struck viciously at him, and inflicted a 

 wound beneath one of his eyes. In Bangalore I saw one belonging to 

 a sampwallah. strike most vehemently at, and bite a mongoose, also 

 one of the stock-in-trade. Mr. Millard tells me it is a difficult snake to 

 tame when fairly grown, and will attack freely when cornered. f 

 Nicholsonf remarks how it will fight for its freedom, and says it is 

 always a little uncertain to handle in captivity. Gunther§ says: "It 

 is of fierce habits, always ready to bite, and old examples brought to 

 Europe never become tame." 



In Rangoon I had one brought to me which, it was reported, was 

 attacking a full-grown fowl. The few specimens I have had caged, 



* " Snakes, " p. 332. 

 t See addenda (2). 

 % Ind. Snakes, p. 133. 

 § Re ( .t., Brit. Ind., p. 249. 



