306 Mr. J. J. Quelcli 07i the 



length attacked a large yellow-tail [Spihtss corais) of 8 feet 

 and attempted to constrict it, but was eventually defeated and 

 swallowed by the yellow-tail. In another, also narrated in 

 this journal (' Timehri,' 1890, p, 371), young specin:iens of 

 another boa — the Aboma (Epicrates) — were attacked and 

 swallowed. Tn these instances there was no attempt at 

 swallowing the same object, there being no food in the cage. 

 That the two occurrences were unusual would certainly seem 

 to be the case, however, for other land-boas have frequently 

 been kept with other snakes without any such result. 



In this, as well as in other species, the chief differences in 

 habits from those of the anaconda arise from the difference 

 in their habitat. Though the land-boas are frequently found 

 by the waterside, they are seldom, if ever, actually in the 

 water. They secure their prey on land or among the branches 

 of trees, and are as truly arboreal as terrestrial. Tiie hollow 

 trunks of trees, or the sheltered corners between their but- 

 tresses, are favourite places of resort ; but while seeking their 

 prey these snakes take up more advantageous positions, such 

 as on the low bushy growths or decayed stumps by the banks 

 of the creeks and large rivers. Though they are at times 

 encountered in open daylight, they are chiefly nocturnal, as, 

 in fact, is the case with the group of snakes as a whole, and 

 they are much less frequently met with, therefore, than the 

 general reader would suppose. A fertile imagination no 

 doubt pictures the tropical forests teeming with snakes and 

 other noxious forms, but the reality is far otherwise. 



The Aboma or Kinged Boa [Epicrates cencliris) has already 

 been referred to. It will readily be recognized by the bright 

 ruddy-brown colour and the series of large, thin, black irre- 

 gular rings along the back. The sides are marked with 

 dark blotches having lighter areas within. The neck, as in 

 the water-boa, is but slightly thinner than the head, which is 

 thus not distinctly wedge-shaped as in the preceding species, 

 and the stales along the lips are slightly depressed, forming 

 shallow pits. 



The vividness of the iridescent tints of this snake in sun- 

 light, more especially when it has just cast its skin, is alto- 

 gether indescribable, and in the ))ath of sunlight the curving 

 body presents a continuous series of rainbow-tinted gleams. 

 Out of direct sunlight it is quite sombre, giving no indication 

 of remarkable brilliance, and it would be difficult to imagine 

 that any such change could take place. 



The habits of this species are practically the same as those 

 of the common land-boa. The size to which it attains, how- 

 ever, appears to be much less, a length of 12 feet being quite 



