REPTILES. 



Emperor Boa. 



Anaconda. 



Among the principal species of these serpents is the Emperor Boa, 

 which hears also many other exalted titles, indicating the superstitious 

 veneration, with which it was regarded hy the Mexicans. 



There is also the Anaconda, which would seem to differ from the last 

 named, chiefly in certain peculiarities of the head and the size. It bears 

 also several other names. 



These serpents, as also the Pythons, who closely resemble them, often 

 attain a monstrous size even now, though, if we may credit ancient 

 authors, they were much larger in old days. Diodorus Siculus, and 

 Suetonius speak of them, as being fifty or seventy-five feet long. 



The Boa Scytale has scaly plates from the eyes to the end of the muz- 

 zle, and passes by various names. Its color is brownish, with a double 

 row of roundish, black blotches all down the back. It inhabits South 

 America, and feeds on deer, goats, sheep, &c. 



The Boa Canina is greenish-colored, with irregular, longish spots dis- 

 posed in rings. They are not venomous, but have long, sharp teeth, 

 which inflict a dangerous wound, often mortal, unless proper remedies are 

 at once applied. The immediate cause of death is not stated, but may 

 be presumed to be often tetanus or locked jaw. It is said that this 

 species varies in size. They sometimes stay in houses, where they do 

 no injury, if not irritated. 



Boa Canina. 



