OPHIDIANS. 517 



" Emperor," given to this Boa, indicates the religious veneration 

 with which it was regarded anciently by the natives in Mexico 

 and South America. It is more terrestrial in its habits than the 

 Anaconda; resorting to dry places, among bushes, trees, and 

 rocks. It climbs trees with great facility, and hangs suspended 

 from them by its prehensile tail, ready to drop upon and crush 

 any unfortunate creature that may pass beneath. Its length is 

 from thirty to thirty-five feet. 



The ANACONDA, Boa scytale, (Gr. skutale, a club or rod,) or 

 JEunectes, (Gr. a good swimmer,) murinus, (Lat. from mus, 

 mouse.) This species is of a brownish color, with a double 

 series of roundish, black blotches running along the back. The 

 spots on the sides are annulated and ocellated, the disks being 

 white, surrounded by blackish rings. The trivial specific 

 name, murinus, is given to it, because it is said "to lie in wait for 

 ice." These, together with fish, frogs, etc., are truly "small 

 game" to this creature, which constricts, and swallows down 

 whole Sheep, Peccaries, Agoutis, etc. When the prey is dead, 

 this, and the other Boas, thrust out their tongue, vibrating in 

 token of their desire of food ; the jaws and throat become lubri- 

 cated with saliva, as a preparation for swallowing the enormous 

 meal. The position of the mass in the alimentary tube indicates 

 the completion of the process. When gorged with food, the ani- 

 mal is for some time torpid and defenceless, and may easily be 

 killed. Occasionally, it is destroyed by shooting, lassoing, etc. 

 The thick skin is frequently tanned, and converted into leather 

 for boots and saddles. The Anaconda is said to attain the 

 length of from thirty to forty feet ; but the common specimens 

 seen in museums and menageries, rarely exceed ten or fifteen. 

 Among the other species, are 



The ABOMA, Boa cenchris, (Gr. spotted,) found in South 

 America and the West Indies, is one of the largest of the family, 

 sometimes attaining a gigantic size. It is of a yellowish color, 

 with a row of large brown rings, running the whole length of the 

 back, and variable spots on the sides. 



The BOJOBI of the Brazilians, or the GREEN BOA, B. canina, 

 or Xiphosoma, (Gr. sword-body,) caninum, (Lat. dog-like,) having 

 a muzzle which shows some resemblance to that of a do. 



The CORAL-SNAKE, Tortrix corallinus, found as far North as 

 Florida, and often kept tame in houses, belongs to this family. 



The PYTHONS are natives of East India and its islands, and of 

 Southern Africa. Two species are distinguished by placing 

 their eggs in a group, and covering them with their bodies. 

 One of these, is 



