INDIAN SNAKES. 165 



( green whip snake ), the detacher ( a species of Dryo- 

 phis ), the bungraj ( a species of Dipsas ) are very 

 arboreal in habits* In fact, every terrestrial species* 

 except the lowest types, is more or less arboreal. The 

 snake casts its skin once every two or three months ; 

 the old skin becomes dark as the new one forms 

 underneath, and the reptile remains in a state of dull- 

 ness without food or drink during the period of moult. 

 Its passage through grass, stones, or any resisting object^ 

 however slight, helps the sriake to get rid of its skin. 

 The first gap appears near the mouth, and, by gradu- 

 ally pushing through the resistance, it manages to 

 disengage itself from its old coat, which, except the 

 tail end, comes off reversed. 



Much has been written and said about snakes fascin- 

 ating small animals. But all great ophiologists, whd 

 have paid any attention to the subject, agree in pro- 

 nouncing it to be a myth. What actually takes place 

 inay be best expressed in the word of a disinguished 

 observer : "Whether ground or tree snakes, they 

 remain patiently in the sa rne attitude until their prey 

 approach ; then* gently gliding over the short distance 

 which intervenes* they pounce on the urisuspecting 

 victim. The approach is so imperceptible that doubtless 

 a certain amount of curiosity must often arrest the atten- 

 tion of animals on perceiving the snake for two or three 

 Seconds before they become aware of their danger ; but of 

 fascination as it is called, there appears to be none*'* 



