48 RIVERSIDE LETTERS vi 



This one appeared profusely covered with 

 moist exudation, and on examining it closer, 

 I discovered that it was in the act of changing 

 its skin ; the animal raised itself on its legs at 

 intervals and strained itself in some way so as 

 to render its body very thin and gaunt ; in 

 these efforts its eyes, which generally protrude 

 considerably, closed and sank down to the 

 level of the rest of its head. 



The old skin seemed very flexible and 

 glutinous, but a small portion only remained 

 when I saw it, just about the head and 

 shoulders ; it was dragging this forward 

 with its forepaws and cramming it into its 

 mouth. I watched until the whole was 

 swallowed. After the operation the mark- 

 ings on the new coat were very strong and 

 bright, and the beast seemed exhausted, 

 utterly refusing to take the least notice of the 

 w r ood-lice that I placed for it. The next day 

 its coat was dry, and, with the exception that 

 the markings were still rather conspicuous, 

 it had regained its usual appearance. The 



