REPTILES. 



Boa Constrictor. 



Tiger Python. 



Boa Constrictor, seizing a Rabbit. 



The Snakes, by their peculiar gliding movements, constitute an expressive type of the whole rontile 



£ri£ S?i ? th f U ' n % m ^ fr0m the Latin re P°> J cree P- The extraordinary fleSflity of thet bod s 

 owing to the structure of then- vertebrae, each of which fits into the one behind it by a ball and locket 

 joint, thus allowing free motion in all directions. '" , CKet 



The Boa Constrictor is the general title for an order, embracing many species, of huge serpents confined 

 to the hotter regions of the globe, and called Constrictor from their mode of destroying tS pre^whTch 

 is by crushing. Lurking m ambush, the tail, which is specially formed for the purpose, g££g& t ink 



ranX it lES^d*!?" ft t*?' 2? «^ ««*W f* »St teYrible^s cnXor 

 strangle it ihe flesh and bones of the dead victim being compressed into a shapeless mass the snake 

 now begins to swallow it, commencing with the head. His jaws are all distorted, the skin of Ik Tneck s 

 stretched almost to apparen bursting ; the mouth drips with a glutinous saliva, which aids deo ution and 



2?ft1Z iT d0Wn *?^ h ^ maSS - He now 1 uie % seeks his usual kuint, coils himself round 

 and lies torpid for a month, till digestion is completed, when he sallies forth for another meal These 

 creatures prey on large fishes as well as quadrupeds, being rapid swimmers. They are all natives of the 

 tropic regions of America, are beautifully tinted, and gleam in the sun. 



The Tiger Python is a native of India and Java. It is, of its kind, a splendid looking creature and is 

 often brought to Europe for exhibition. Its general characterics are similar to the Boa ' 



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