674 APPENDIX. 



M. J. L. & S. V. Notice of the Habits of the large Indian Boa or Sock-Snake *. By Lord Arthur Hay. 

 Mv. p_^u. [From the ' Madras Journal of Literature and Science,' vol. xiv. pt. ii. no. 33, 1847.] 



Beyond exaggerated and overdrawn stories regarding this animal, little is generally known relative 

 to its habits and structure ; I trust therefore that the few following remarks may be found of 

 some interest to the general reader, though offering nothing of novelty to the experienced 

 naturalist. 



The great Boa Constrictor of India is one of the most dreaded enemies of the denizens of 

 the forest, for though totally devoid of poisonous fangs its colossal strength renders it capable of 

 overpowering most of the larger animals when once within its grasp. 



The contracting serpents have been separated by most naturalists into two divisions, those 

 of the New "World retaining the generic name of Boa, and those of the Old that of Python. In 

 form and generic differences they disagree but slightly, and from all accounts they seem to possess 

 similar habits. 



The Boas of South America attain perhaps to a greater size than our continental Indian 

 species ; but stUl the Pythons of Sumatra, Java, and most of the other Eastern islands have been 

 found of almost incredible lengths ; from 30 to 40 feet, however, may be considered the 

 maximum length of these snakes, though few are found in Southern India of greater length 

 than from 19 to 20 feet. I have received, through the kindness of General CuUen, what was 

 considered in Travancore to be a large specimen of the Indian Python, it having been killed in 

 the jungles of that country just after having swallowed a full-grown spotted deer. Its victim was 

 a doe, and large with fawn at the time ; the snake is 1 7 feet long and measured 4 feet in 

 circumference when it contained its prey. This is one of the largest Pythons I have heard of as 

 having been killed in Southern India (that is, authenticated specimens), though I have frequently 

 heard of much longer and larger monsters having been seen, though seldom actually measured. 



There can be little doubt that such a snake would be fully capable of overpowering the 



strongest man ; and natives of the jungle from whence my specimen comes assert that Bison are 



M. J.L. &8. often destroyed by them. This remains to be proven by ocular demonstration, for though 



p. 75 ^ perfectly possible and far from improbable, few would believe it without unimpeachable evidence. 



When first examining one of the large reptiles the question naturally arises, how does it 

 attack its prey, and when seized how is it possible to swallow it through so small an aperture 

 as its mouth % 



A little further examination soon explains the difficulty ; but as I do not suppose every 

 one has the same opportunities I have had, and if so the inclination, I shall endeavour in a few 

 •words to show how beautifully Nature adapts the structure of her ever-varying forms for the 

 position in which they are placed and to answer the ends for which they are created. On the 

 first view the Python seems a heavy, thick though powerful snake, its body seeming less rounded 

 than the more active and graceful serpents. Its belly is cased in broad flat uniform scales of 



* Python mohirus of Linne. P. tigris, Daudin. P. bivittatus, Schlegel. Palda poda and Bora, Russell, pis. 22, 

 23, 24, and 39. 



