308 THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



These instantaneous effects, almost as rapid as those of a 

 mortal shot or of lightning itself, might at first sight seem to 

 warrant the conclusion that the genius of evil had formed the 

 venomous serpents to be his chosen agents of destruction; but 

 at a nearer view, they afford but another proof of the bene- 

 ficence of the Creator in providing weak, sober, and by no 

 means cruel creatures, with a weapon which makes up to them 

 for the want of speed, and at the same times abridges the 

 torments of their victims. 



Though generally the objects of abhorrence and fear, yet 

 serpents sometimes render themselves useful or agreeable to 

 man. Thus the rat-snake of Ceylon (Coryphodon Blwmen- 

 bachii), in consideration of its services in destroying vermin, is 

 often kept as a household pet, and so domesticated by the 

 natives as to feed at their table. 



The agility of this serpent in seizing its nimble-footed prey 

 is truly wonderful. One day Sir Emerson Tennent had an 

 opportunity of surprising a coryphodon which had just seized on 

 a rat, and of covering it suddenly with a glass shade, before it 

 had time to swallow its prey. The serpent, which appeared 

 stunned with its own capture, allowed the rat to escape from its 

 jaws, which cowered at one side of the glass in an agony of 

 terror. On removing the shade, the rat, recovering its spirits, 

 instantly bounded towards the nearest fence, but quick as 

 lightning it was followed by its pursuer, which seized it before 

 it could gain the hedge, through which the snake glided with 

 its victim in its jaws. 



The beautiful coral-snake {Elaps corallinus) is fondled by 

 the Brazilian ladies, but the domestication of the dreaded 

 cobras as protectors in the place of dogs, mentioned by Major 

 Skinner, on undoubtedly good authority,* is still more remark- 

 able. They glide about the house, going in and out at 

 pleasure, a terror to thieves, but never attempting to harm the 

 inmates. 



The Tree-snakes offer many beautiful examples of the adap- 

 tation of colour to the animal's pursuits, which we have already 

 had occasion to admire in our brief review of the tropical insect 

 world. They are frequently of an agreeable green or bluish 



* Sir E. Tennent's ' Ceylon,' vol. i. p. 193. 



