CONTENTS. Xiii 



Thylaciims CynocepJialus, or dog-faced Opossum—Specimeu 

 in the Zoological Society's Gardens— The Kangaroo— Pro- 

 fessor Owen's observations and experiments upon this animal 

 — Eemarks thereon — Further account of the Thylacines— 

 Speculations upon the mode of reproduction of the ornitho- 

 rhyuchus and echidna— The Hippopotamus of the Zoological 

 Society— Its organization— Professor Owen's account of the 

 animal alluded to— General appearance and habits described 

 — Sparrman and Mr. Gumming ■— The mode of capture of 

 the Society's Hippopotamus, and accoimt of its voyage— Its 

 attendants — General remarks p. X55 



CHAPTEE IX. 



Scriptural and classical allusions to Serpents commented upon 



Theii* bite, and its antidote— Snake-charmers— Hasselquist's 

 andBruce's opinions— The feats of the Arab Snake-charmers at 

 the Zoological Gardens described— The giftof Snake-charming 

 said to be hereditary — The Spughslang, or ' Spitting-Snake' 

 — The Asiatic form of this genus of Serpents described — 

 Taming Serpents, as related by Dr. Davy — Captain Knox's ex- 

 perience on this subject — Cingalese veneration for Serpents — 

 Their legends concerning these reptiles — Poison of venomous 

 Serpents, Dr. Mead's opinion thereon — Mr. Bell's experi- 

 ments, in investigating the anatomy of venomous Snakes — 

 Case of a carpenter bitten by one of these reptiles — Similar 

 instance given by Dr. Mead — His advice in such cases — His 

 mode of curing a Dog — Viper-wine and Viper-broth — Eemarks 

 upon the poison and its nature — Authorities cited — General 

 remarks p. 190 



CHAPTER X. 



Attraction of the reptile house in the garden of the Zoological 

 Society — Fixedness of attitude of the reptiles — Its cause 

 explained — Adaptation of colour of creatures in general to 



