BATTLE BETWEEN A SNAKE AND AN EEL. 347 



by increased effort get back again into the water with the 

 Snake. At times they were completely encircled in each 

 others folds, and although their rage was manifested by the 

 manner in which they would continually bite each other, 

 yet their whole efforts were devoted to their muscular 

 strength to decide the victory. After continuing this inte- 

 resting combat for rather more than ten minutes, they separa- 

 ted mutually the Eel returning to its native bottomland 

 the Snake to the grass. Believing that a circumstance of 

 this kind is seldom witnessed, I have communicated it for 

 insertion in your valuable work. 



